Patient/Physician Cooperatives CEO Praises First Responders and Cautions about New Dangers in Harvey
Updated: Mar 25, 2019
HOUSTON – September 12, 2017 – Patient/Physician Cooperatives Texas CEO and
Founder Don McCormick stated today, “On behalf of the entire Patient/Physician
Cooperatives organization, we are deeply grateful to the courageous first responders
who rescued more than 122,000 people during Hurricane Harvey. We recognize that
these brave men and women put their lives on the line, battling extreme winds and
dramatic rainfall to save others.”
While the sky is now mostly sunny and clear, entire neighborhoods went under water
as more than 32,000 residents sought refuge in shelters after being displaced from
their homes by the Category 4 hurricane, according to FEMA (Federal Emergency
Management Agency). “The dangers go beyond the flooding challenges, as the storm’s
aftermath brings with it an array of public health dangers,” said McCormick.
McCormick reiterated the warnings issued by pubic health officials about the next
round of dangers residents now face. According to The Hill, a premier Washington
source for policy and political coverage, five major public health threats now challenge
authorities in the Houston area.
Many buildings in Harris County remain saturated with residue from contaminated
floodwater. The contamination includes fecal bacteria, toxic chemicals and heavy
metals. “Not only did our first responders come in contact with noxious floodwater,
but also countless people with underlying illnesses, pregnant women, children, the
elderly, and wildlife have been exposed,” said McCormick.
Additional threats include mosquitoes, lost medications, mold and the spread of
infectious diseases.
“We encourage our members and all others to take proactive measures to prevent the
spread of disease during this challenging time. Our telephone lines are open to
anyone, not only our members, who need non-emergency medical attention at 855-
220-4585.”
McCormick added that Patient/Physician Cooperatives Texas has established a new
Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TXHealthCareCoop/ that contains
resources and information members and others can use to help them recover from this
devastating storm. The information is also available on the Patient/Physician
Cooperatives website at https://www.patientphysiciancoop.com. McCormick added,
“We stand ready to assist our members to access healthcare 24/7 across our network
of providers and through our telehealth partner Teladoc, the largest and most trusted
telehealth provider in the world.”
About Patient/Physician Cooperatives
Patient/Physician Cooperatives is a comprehensive healthcare system, starting with a
group of physicians, health practitioners and patients working together to provide
access to affordable, basic health care. Contracts for medical services are made
directly between the patient and physician members. By creating this comprehensive
system, incorporating medical discount programs and a variety of association, group
or employer sponsored insurance plans, Patient/Physician Cooperatives has effectively
eliminated the red-tape that acts as a barrier to providing patients with high quality
care. Unlike most insurance companies, PPC has no exclusions for age, income, or
pre-existing conditions. For details visit https://hou.patientphysiciancoop.com.
About Teladoc, Inc.
Teladoc, Inc. (NYSE:TDOC) is the largest and most trusted telehealth provider in the
world. Recognized by MIT Technology Review as one of the “50 Smartest Companies”,
Teladoc is forging a new healthcare experience with an innovative portfolio of virtual
care delivery solutions. Currently, Teladoc serves more than 10,000 clients – from
payers to providers to employers – and more than 20 million members who connect
within minutes to Teladoc’s network of more than 3,100 board-certified, state-licensed
physicians and therapists, 24/7. Teladoc’s services and solutions marry a highly
engaging consumer experience with the latest in data and analytics, and a highly
flexible technology platform. Teladoc has delivered more than 2.5 million medical visits
for general medical, dermatology, counseling, psychiatry, sexual health, and tobacco
cessation. For additional information, please visit www.teladoc.com.
Jenny Castaneda