One of the key public health problems facing our community is the lack of available prenatal care for lower-income persons. The Obria Medical Clinics of Central California has been addressing this problem, with newfound support from local and national partners, and making a profound difference in our community.

In the last several years, local healthcare entities like Valley Children’s Hospital and Saint Agnes Medical Center identified a lack of access to prenatal care as one of the leading public health problems in the San Joaquin Valley. Research from Fresno State backed this up, with studies showing that almost a quarter of women in Fresno’s poorer southwest and southeast neighborhoods received no prenatal care whatsoever before giving birth.

This is particularly dangerous for lower-income women, who are far more likely to have health factors resulting in a high risk pregnancy. Women in the San Joaquin Valley have higher rates of maternal mortality than the statewide average, and newborns have higher rates of perinatal death and low infant birth weight.

The factors driving the lack of care center around Medi Cal. Roughly 25% of Fresno County residents live under the federal poverty line, double the national average. A huge percentage of women in Fresno are Medi Cal-eligible as a result. But because of Medi Cal’s poor reimbursement rates, fewer and fewer doctors want to take Medi Cal patients for prenatal care.

The global bill for a pregnant patient’s prenatal visits, ultrasounds, and delivery yields a provider roughly $4,500 for a patient with a private health insurance plan. But the same patient receiving the same care will only yield $1,500 for the provider, if the patient is a Medi-Cal beneficiary. Medi Cal is also notoriously picky and difficult to work with, finding spurious reasons not to reimburse providers. Doctors often feel they cannot afford to take Medi Cal patients. More patients with fewer options leads to women not receiving care.

Obria Focuses on Prenatal Care

To address these issues, local philanthropic leaders banded together to start the Obria Medical Clinics of Central California. Obria was founded as a nonprofit community clinic: a tax-exempt entity capable of receiving donor support, whose mission was focused on serving lower-income women seeking prenatal care.

After years of corporate formation, licensure questions, a property search, and various forms of red tape, our clinic opened its doors in January 2022. Since then, we have served almost 800 unique patients, and delivered hundreds of babies. Our fully-licensed staff of nurses, our nurse practitioner, medical assistants, and OB/GYNs are committed to providing excellent care for every woman, regardless of her insurance status or socioeconomic condition.

The clinic offers a broad range of services, including prenatal care, miscarriage care, well woman exams, STD/STI testing and treatment, and more. Our OB/GYNs have delivered hundreds of babies at Community Hospital in downtown Fresno, Saint Agnes, and Adventist Health in Hanford.

Teaming With Other Nonprofits

A particular point of pride for us are the partnerships we have formed with other local nonprofits, which allow us to better serve patients facing a variety of challenges. Breaking the Chains, a wonderful nonprofit that works to assist victims of sex trafficking, refers their clients to us for care. Catholic Charities has been a wonderful referral point for patients in need of clothing, food, and other essentials. Pregnancy Care Center of Fresno has done tremendous work in steering women in need to us for healthcare, while themselves providing excellent parenting and material resources.

The excellence of our care has been recognized by national and local partners. The major pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca provided us with a grant specifically to support our lower-income and unemployed patient population. The Knights of Columbus provided us grant support with two free ultrasound machines and additional financial support at our founding. The Wal-Mart Community Foundation and Smart and Final have acknowledged our work in the community with grant support. We have also partnered with Fresno State for research projects serving first-time mothers.

The clinic is located in the office complex at the southwest corner of Fresno Street and Barstow Avenue, at 5359 N. Fresno St., Suite 108. To learn more about the clinic or our services visit obriafresno.org. To support the work of the clinic, visit obria365.org.

About the Author

Melissa Champion has been a nurse for nine years, and serves as executive director of the Obria Medical Clinics of Central California. In her spare time, she loves traveling, fishing, camping, and hanging out with her family. She can be reached at marketing@obriafresno.org.

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