Frank Pallone Jr.

07/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/08/2024 22:08

Congressman Pallone Visits Monmouth Family Health Center During National Health Center Week

Long Branch, NJ - Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06), top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today visited the Monmouth Family Health Center as part of National Health Center Week (August 4-10). This week celebrates the contributions of America's health centers, which provide essential services like preventive care, health education, and chronic disease management. Pallone highlighted the critical role health centers provide in offering accessible, quality care to millions of Americans, especially low-income families.

"Monmouth Family Health Center truly showcases the transformative power of community health centers," said Pallone. "They are lifelines, offering essential, high-quality services to those who need it most and ensuring everyone has access to health care. National Health Center Week shines a spotlight on the invaluable role these centers play in nurturing the health and well-being of New Jersey communities. Their commitment to preventive services, health education, and chronic disease management is a testament to their dedication to our collective well-being. Supporting and growing these centers is crucial for maintaining healthy, thriving communities across our state. I will continue fighting for the funding they need, as I always have, to ensure they can keep making a difference."

During his visit, Pallone met with community members and health center staff and reaffirmed his longstanding commitment to supporting Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Attendees of the open house were able to receive free health screenings, demonstrating the center's dedication to community health.

"Monmouth Family Health Center is dedicated to providing quality health care to the many residents of Monmouth County," said Paul McCloud, CEO of Monmouth Family Health Center. "Community health centers across the country are essential to help improve the overall health care of the uninsured and underinsured population."

Throughout his service in Congress, Pallone has fought for increased funding to expand services and improve community health centers.

Earlier this year, he secured a significant funding increase for public health programs, including a 10% increase for Community Health Centers; a 17% increase for the National Health Service Corps; and a 56% increase for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program. These programs are funded through December 31, 2024, alongside permanent Medicaid coverage for medication-assisted treatment and new protections for Medicaid enrollment.

In Monmouth County, Pallone helped secure a Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support the establishment of a new primary care medical residency program at community health centers. The $500,000grant will help design a new program for primary care doctors to train and work in Asbury Park, Keyport, Red Bank, and Long Branch.

Last year, Pallone introduced the Doctors of Community (DOC) Act to permanently authorize and expand the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program, aiming for the largest expansion in two decades. This legislation would support the training of primary care medical and dental residents, focusing on high-need communities. If enacted, the bill would support community health continuity by bringing a reliable stream of doctors to underserved communities, funding an additional 48 new THCGME programs nationwide and creating an estimated 1,060 new resident physician slots.