Contact: Margaret Brennan
Email: Margaret.Brennan@nschi.org
Website: www.nschi.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FEBRUARY 6, 2018
Health Center Advocates to wear red in support of health centers.
Salem, MA, February 6, 2018– Today Tuesday, February 6th 2018, staff of the North Shore Community Health Center are wearing RED in support of the call to fix Health Care Center Funding Cliff.
Over four months ago, Congress failed to extend funding for Health Centers and fix a 70% funding cliff. This failure to act has put 9 million patients, 50,000 jobs, and nearly 3,000 health center sites at risk. The time is now for Congress to act and extend critical funding for health centers. While Congress delays, what’s at stake?
- Robust backbone of the American health care system
- Health care Americans can afford
- Patient-centered care that offers the full range of services folks need – primary care, social support, behavioral health care, dental care, pharmacy, and health education.
- Emergency preparedness and relief efforts to sustain public health in areas of natural disaster.
- Comprehensive substance abuse treatment to get Americans back on their feet
- Chronic disease management to fight diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and more
Why red? Because the time is now – funding for health centers is urgent. We wear red to protect access to quality care for millions of Americans, to sustain the backbone of primary care in this country, to ensure all Americans have an equal opportunity to live healthy and productive lives.
North Shore Community Health is an NCQA certified Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home with three family practice sites that include Salem Family Health Center, Peabody Family Health Center, and Gloucester Family Health Center. These sites have medical, dental, substance abuse treatment, and behavioral health services and cares for individuals and families of all ages. NSCH also has two School-Based Health Centers (Salem High School Teen Health Center and Peabody Veterans War Memorial High School Teen Health Center) and provides behavioral health care on site at Collins Middle School, Nathaniel Bowditch, Bates and Bentley Schools in Salem. No one seeking care at any of our sites will ever be denied access to services due to inability to pay as the health center uses a discounted/sliding fee scale based on family size and income. NSCH also provides translation services, outreach and enrollment services and health education. The health center is governed by a Board of Directors where more than 50% of the Board are also patients. North Shore Community Health is a member of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and the National Association of Community Health Centers.
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If you would like more information about this news release, please contact Margaret Brennan email at Margaret.Brennan@nschi.org.