New federal funding for NJ community health centers
Across New Jersey two dozen community health centers, or Federally Qualified Health Centers, give medical care to the uninsured as well as to patients with Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare, Medicare and private insurance. More than 91% of their patients live at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, and more than 60% are racial or ethnic minorities.
The centers cover everything from primary and preventive health care to dental care, mental health services, lab services and more. Now they’re about to benefit from the recently passed American Rescue Plan, which has set aside $7.6 billion for these centers nationwide to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines, treatment and health services in underserved and vulnerable communities.