Community health centers support state residents by providing a range of medical services to communities throughout the state, including patients living with HIV/AIDS. Recognizing the importance of these centers, five North Jersey federally-qualified health centers (FQHCs) were awarded grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker.
“New Jersey families across the state rely on the affordable and high-quality services that community health centers provide,” said Sen. Menendez. “This funding will allow New Jersey’s FQHC’s continue their important working of delivering exceptional health care to residents in need.”
In total, these centers will receive about $1.4 million in grants, which were awarded to the following health centers:
- $293,871 – Newark Community Health Centers, Inc.
- $279,870 – Zufall Health Center, Inc. (Essex, Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Warren)
- $265,123 – Horizon Health Center (Hudson)
- $261, 639 – City of Newark
- $250,589 – Rutgers University (Newark)
In addition to the $1.4 million, Metropolitan Family Health Network, Inc. received approximately $2.6 million to continue the essential health care services they provide to underserved communities in Hudson County.
“Our most vulnerable families often face incredible obstacles to access even basic healthcare,” said Sen. Booker. “This federal funding will help address these health inequities by bringing high-quality, affordable healthcare services into some of our most underserved communities.”
Fighting the HIV Epidemic
These grants will further support FQHCs seeking to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These centers provide HIV testing services, along with treatment and care individuals living with the disease.
Previously, Sens. Menendez and Booker announced a total of $1.75 million in federal funding to support Hudson County and the City of Newark’s efforts to provide care to individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
“FQHCs across the state provide cost-efficient primary, dental and behavioral care to New Jerseyans every day,” said Jillian Hudspeth, President and CEO, New Jersey Primary Care Association. “We are pleased that with this funding, our Centers can increase access to quality HIV care, treatment, medication, and prevention services.”
Vital Services
In New Jersey, there are 24 community health centers that operate 137 satellite sites, providing preventive and primary health care services to over a half-million New Jersey residents.
To further support these centers, Sen. Menendez authored a provision of the Affordable Care Act that requires private insurance plans on the exchange to reimburse FQHCs at no less than the same rate as Medicaid. Doing so ensures the economic vitality of the state’s community health centers.
