Health care options expanding in Olivehurst

A loss of parking and tougher access to the Ampla Health clinic in Olivehurst these days will translate into new services and better access in the years to come.

Ampla has broken ground on an expansion of its family health and dentistry clinic on Olivehurst Avenue, and Yuba County Supervisor Mary Jane Griego said it's a welcome sight.

"It's really exciting to see that investment made on Olivehurst Avenue," she said. "I knew it was in the works, and I'm glad to see it moving forward."

Ampla Health, formerly Del Norte Clinics Inc., is a not-for-profit health care provider based in Yuba City and aimed at low-income residents. Ampla officials have said they expect demand for their group's services to increase as federal health care reform, also known as Obamacare, goes into effect in 2014.

Officials at Ampla did not return calls for comment Tuesday.

As she and her daughter waited for, respectively, X-rays and a visit to the dentist Tuesday, Lori Spade of Marysville said she was looking forward to both more services and parking getting back to normal.

"I just think everything will be better," said Spade, adding she visits the clinic from Marysville because she prefers it to other health care options.

"They've got to fix things up if they want us to be bigger and better," she said. "Me and my friends, we're all excited about the work."

Griego said she sees a definite need for improved health care services in her community, but saw another upside to the clinic's expansion.

"They'll definitely be able to service more people, and employ more people," she said, adding she's hopeful the expansion mirrors other development coming to Olivehurst, including business expansion and public works improvements.

CONTACT Ben van der Meer at bvandermeer@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4786. Find him on Facebook at /ADbvandermeer or on Twitter at @ADbvandermeer.