MODESTO BEE
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

By KEN CARLSON
BEE STAFF WRITER

Last Updated: May 9, 2006, 04:17:18 AM PDT

Cuts at Stanislaus County health clinics have spurred thousands of patients to seek care elsewhere, at emergency rooms and other safety-net health centers.
And the number of displaced patients is expected to grow as the county continues to shrink its deficit-ridden clinic system and private providers reject uninsured patients.

Golden Valley Health Centers has seen a dramatic surge in patients, representatives said. Its six Modesto medical offices and mobile clinic have added 2,600patients since September. Golden Valley's nonprofit clinic system in Stanislaus and Merced counties has averaged 800 new patients a month during that time.

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