Pallone Announces $3.3 Million to New Jersey Community Health Centers

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced $3,326,048 in new funding to help community health centers provide in-person enrollment assistance to uninsured individuals in New Jersey.  This funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will help uninsured New Jerseyans enroll in new health insurance coverage options made available by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

“Community Health Centers attend to the unique health needs of hard-to-reach populations and have a significant impact in improving health in our communities.  This funding opportunity will help them to expand their reach even more,” said Pallone.  “Community Health Centers are an absolutely essential tool in expanding coverage to 30 million more Americans as part of the Affordable Care Act.”

With the new funds announced today, health centers in New Jersey will be able to hire new staff, train existing staff, and conduct community outreach events and other educational activities.  Health centers will help consumers understand their coverage options, determine their eligibility and enroll in new affordable health insurance options.   Community health center staff will provide unbiased information to consumers about health insurance, the new Health Insurance Marketplace, qualified health plans, and Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Specializing in providing cost-effective and high-quality primary and preventive health care, Community Health Centers generate $24 billion annually in savings to the health care system, due largely to their success in reducing the need for patients to seek care in costlier health care settings (like emergency departments and hospitals).  These centers deliver care at a total cost of just $1.67 per patient per day and serve as drivers of economic activity in the communities where they are located.

Community Health Centers are locally-controlled, non-profit entities that provide primary care, oral, behavioral, and pharmacy services in our most underserved rural and urban areas.  New Jersey is home to 20 federally supported health centers serving 467,913 New Jersey

Pallone, an outspoken advocate for Community Health Centers, led the charge in the House for a $300 million funding increase that passed Congress in March.  Congressman Pallone led a bipartisan letter of support with 194 co-signers for funding to Community Health Centers to the House Appropriations Committee this year.  He led a similar letter last year.

Read more at http://www.politickernj.com/65436/pallone-announces-33-million-new-jersey-community-health-centers#ixzz2SvFESGrx 
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