Grant will fund crucial primary care services for low income and uninsured individuals that lack access to affordable health care
WASHINGTON DC - U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Eric B. Chandler Health Center (EBCHC) an estimated $1,898,490 in federal funds for its operations. Half of the funds will be disbursed now, and the rest will be issued after the FY09 appropriation bills are passed by Congress. EBCHC serves low-income, underinsured and medically indigent individuals in the Greater New Brunswick area and the Center offers crucial primary care pediatric, obstetrics and gynecology, geriatric, dentistry and HIV counseling /testing services.
“The more people lose their jobs in this harsh economy, the more health care services like these are essential to keeping families healthy,” said Senator Menendez. “All Americans regardless of economic status, age or race, should have access to affordable comprehensive health care. While we work with President Obama to help make health care affordable for all Americans, this grant will help ensure individuals in the most difficult economic circumstances in our state continue having access to the primary care health resources they need.”
Senator Frank R. Lautenber chimed in with, “In these tough economic times, we should be doing all we can to provide health care for New Jersey children and families. These grants will go a long way toward keeping our children healthy by making sure they can see doctors and get the medicines they need.”
EBCHC provides services to an estimate of 60,000 persons annually. Since 1990 its active patient population has grown from 2,500 to 13,138 users. This number is expected to continue rising as the number of uninsured patients in the area increases as a result of recent changes in Federal Medicaid legislation. Federal funding for this Center is crucial for it to continue expanding its services and providing appropriate health care to underserved groups.
“The more people lose their jobs in this harsh economy, the more health care services like these are essential to keeping families healthy,” said Senator Menendez. “All Americans regardless of economic status, age or race, should have access to affordable comprehensive health care. While we work with President Obama to help make health care affordable for all Americans, this grant will help ensure individuals in the most difficult economic circumstances in our state continue having access to the primary care health resources they need.”
Senator Frank R. Lautenber chimed in with, “In these tough economic times, we should be doing all we can to provide health care for New Jersey children and families. These grants will go a long way toward keeping our children healthy by making sure they can see doctors and get the medicines they need.”
EBCHC provides services to an estimate of 60,000 persons annually. Since 1990 its active patient population has grown from 2,500 to 13,138 users. This number is expected to continue rising as the number of uninsured patients in the area increases as a result of recent changes in Federal Medicaid legislation. Federal funding for this Center is crucial for it to continue expanding its services and providing appropriate health care to underserved groups.
