Emergency medical service is available to Cedar Key residents. For extreme emergencies Medevac helicopters carry accident victims to Gainesville. But for routine medical treatment or diagnosis patients must go many miles for health service. That trip is difficult for our older citizens and discouraging for all. A medical clinic in Cedar Key is possible. Community Redevelopment Agency funds may be used for a joint Community Center/Health Clinic building. The Levy County Health Department will do a survey of local health service needs in the coming months. There are numerous medical professionals that live in Cedar Key that support the concept of a clinic on our island. A Cedar Key Health Clinic could provide routine services such as blood pressure monitoring, diabetes monitoring, treatment of minor injuries and flu shots. Preventive medicine is proven to be cost effective. Local facilities encourage preventive medicine. The year 2005 is the year that a heath clinic in Cedar Key can become a reality. You can help make this happen. Speak to your City Commissioners. Send Cedar Key News a letter to the editor in support of a clinic. And, speak up at the community planning meeting scheduled for early next year. Community Redevelopment money well spent and community desire will give us better health care. | 