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Tri State Community HealthCare tells council it is expanding services, filling pharmacy gap in Needles
Summary
Tri State Community HealthCare told the council it provides primary-care, dental and behavioral-health services in Needles, is coordinating pharmacy deliveries after a local Rite Aid closure, and plans to expand specialty services such as dermatology and physical therapy in 2026.
Tri State Community HealthCare presented to the Needles City Council on local primary-care, behavioral-health, dental and pharmacy access, describing outreach and partnerships the nonprofit has developed in the city.
A Tri State representative told the council the organization has served the community for about 14 years as a federally qualified health center (FQHC) serving insured, underinsured and uninsured patients. Staff highlighted services available at the local site — family medicine, a full-time dental clinic, behavioral-health services, optometry and podiatry — and emphasized the organization’s focus on prevention and continuity of care to reduce unnecessary emergency-room visits.
Tri State staff described how the center helped restore local pharmacy access after the closure of the local Rite Aid by partnering with a Los Angeles-based pharmacy and a local delivery partner to bring medication distribution into Needles. The presenter said the center and partners also provide durable medical supplies, free blood-pressure monitors and glucometers for eligible patients, and nutrition/food-support programs in partnership with local nonprofits.
Local outreach staff credited volunteers and city partnerships for community events and said volunteers recently distributed large quantities of fresh produce; an outreach speaker cited a recent distribution of fresh produce described to the council as about 160,000 pounds.
Tri State said it is seeking to expand specialty services in 2026. The presenters identified dermatology, physical therapy and rheumatology as priorities and said they are talking with cardiologists and neurologists about monthly visits or telehealth options to reduce travel burdens for homebound or transportation-limited residents.
Council members thanked Tri State for its service and asked how residents can make inquiries; Tri State staff said residents may contact the downtown office and that staff can route questions to the appropriate team. No formal action was taken; the presentation closed with the council inviting staff to follow up on specific outreach and partnership items.
