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Number of community centers have nearly doubled from 51 to 93
During a visit to the New Jersey Primary Care Association's annual picnic in West Windsor, Gov. Jon Corzine Monday recognized the services that health centers and health professionals provide to what he described as New Jersey's most vulnerable residents.
"We are celebrating National Health Center Week at a time when better, more efficient and affordable health care has moved to the forefront of the national debate," Corzine said. "In New Jersey, we are committed to the mission and expansion of community health centers, which is to provide preventive and primary health care for New Jersey's uninsured and underserved population."
Over the past four years, New Jersey has supported federally qualified health centers. Since 2006, the state has reimbursed more than $142.6 million to the centers for direct patient care.
Under a 2008 budget initiative, patient care reimbursement was increased to further support what is seen as a cornerstone of New Jersey's health care safety net. In addition, with $17.5 million in state capacity expansion grants, community health center location sites have almost doubled. In 2006, there were 18 federally qualified centers with 51 licensed sites. This year, there are 20 with 93 licensed sites.With this funding, all community health centers in the state have expanded operating hours, with most centers open from 50 to 60 hours per week. With continued support, these health centers were able to handle more than 1.1 million patient visits in 2008 and are now serving approximately 50,000 more people than in 2006.
"National Health Center Week is the perfect opportunity to recognize New Jersey's community health centers' commitment to providing comprehensive primary and preventive care for our uninsured and medically underserved residents," said Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard.
New Jersey's 20 community health centers also are collectively receiving $25 million in federal recovery funds over the next two years to expand health care services to low-income medically underserved residents. They are among 1,128 community health centers nationwide that are receiving $338 million in federal aid to help an additional 2.1 million patients.
"There can be no dispute that community-based health care providers serve as a critical link and an important partner for many of our residents," Corzine said. "They have and will continue to provide an important safety net for those in need of medical care.''
— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
