Menendez introduces legislation to boost community health centers

CHCs provide a full range of medical care from pediatric and women’s health care to behavioral health services and dental care. They are also instrumental in the fight against New Jersey’s growing opioid epidemic.

Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, said in a statement that community health centers are critical to ensuring every New Jersey familyregardless of how much they make or where they livehave access to affordable, quality health care they need.

“As I travel up and down the state, I see firsthand how New Jerseyans benefit from the countless services CHCs provide to women, children and seniors. And as Republicans in Congress continue to do all they can to undermine the Affordable Care Act, I’ll fight to make sure our health centers get the federal resources we need to keep them operating in communities all across our state,” Menendez said.

The Community Health Investment, Modernization, and Excellence (CHIME) Act of 2019 would provide a five-year extension of mandatory CHC funding, which expires in September.New Jersey has 24 health centers operating 134 sites, providing preventative and primary health care services to nearly 538,000 individuals.

“Twenty-four community health centers provide primary and preventative care to over half a million people at 134 sites in New Jersey. That means essential services like physical, dental and behavioral health care are at risk, if we do not see a funding extension,” said New Jersey Primary Care Association President and CEO Jillian Hudspeth in a statement.

“If federally qualified health center funding lapses in September, health centers will have to cut staff, shorten hours and even cut services. We commend Senator Menendez for leading the effort to ensure that these critical services stay intact for the next five years,” said Hudspeth. Copyright 2019 BridgeTower Media. All Rights Reserved.

CREDIT: Anthony Vecchione