Watch CBS News

Your Chicago: Mile Square Health Center

(CBS) – For 40 years, Mile Square Health Center has prided itself on giving excellent care, whether patients have medical insurance or not.

There are 12 locations around the city. The main site is a brand-new, five-story glistening complex on the campus of the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System.

"It always baffled me to learn about the different disparities in health outcomes that minority communities experienced and I always (zoom in) wanted to be a part of closing that gap in the disparities," says Dr. Sonja Boone, one of the center's leaders.

Dr. Boone has dedicated her entire career to this work, first on policy at the American Medical Association and now here, where she is proud of all the services offered.

"People can come here, and instead of waiting two months to get a mammogram, we have two mammogram suites and a radiology suite that will support the urgent care as well," Boone says.

She admits the roll-out of Obamacare is not what it should have been. Anyone can come and sit with a counselor who will walk you through every aspect of signing up for health care.

Mile Square is hoping to attract 76,000 patients to the new site in its first year. Seventy percent of them are likely to be on Medicaid.

Monica McCracklin comes to Mile Square for a variety of services.

"I enjoy the family atmosphere and the doctors treat you like family," she says.

March 31 is the deadline to sign up this year for coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Mile Square is eager to see as many people as possible sign up. Sign up for an appointment by calling (866) 600-CARE or click here.

For more information about the Mile Square Health Center Clinics, click here.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.