FOLLOWING THEIR PUSH, SCHUMER, BRINDISI ANNOUNCE $1.3M IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR UPSTATE FAMILY HEALTH CENTER IN UTICA TO EXPAND ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN THE MOHAWK VALLEY

The Funding, Which Will Be Allocated Over Two Years At $650K Per Year,  Is Awarded Through Health Resources And Service Administration’s Health Center Program New Access Points Grant 

Schumer & Brindisi Previously Advocated For Upstate Family Health Center’s Grant Application With The Dept. Of Health And Human Services, Which Will Allow It To Expand Services In The Mohawk Valley

Schumer, Brindisi: Investment Is Great News For Public Health In The Mohawk Valley

Following their push, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Representative Anthony J. Brindisi today announced $650,000 in federal funding for two years for Upstate Family Health Center (UFHC) in Utica, NY. The funding is allocated through the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Health Center Program New Access Points (NAP) grant, and will be used to expand health care services to underserved communities in the Mohawk Valley. Furthermore, the NAP award serves the added benefit of officially recognizing UFHC as a Federally Qualified Health Center. The representatives explained that within UFHC’s service area, there are over 105,000 residents living at or below the poverty level, and that this critical federal investment will be used to provide access to the high-quality health care services they need and deserve, regardless of their ability to pay. Schumer and Brindisi previously wrote to HHS in April 2019 to support UFHC’s application to the NAP grant program.

“This well-earned federal funding for UFHC is great news for primary healthcare in the Mohawk Valley. With this crucial investment and official designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center, UFHC will be able to expand its first-rate services to all communities throughout the region,” said Senator Schumer. “I’m proud of the role I played in securing this vital funding and will always fight for federal resources that help ensure everyone in the Mohawk Valley, regardless of who they are or where they came from, has access to the affordable health services they need and deserve.”

“I’ll never stop fighting to bring more affordable and accessible health care options to our community,” said Rep. Brindisi. “This is great news for Utica and the entire Mohawk Valley. Ensuring access to affordable health care is important to our community and this funding and designation will help Upstate Family Health Center continue to provide the care they’ve become known for to even more residents.”

“The new federal funding of Upstate Family Health Center (UFHC) as a Federally Qualified Health Center will enable us to expand quality healthcare for many more families in our community.  This will initiate and enhance additional healthcare programs to meet the needs of our diverse community,” said UFHC CEO John Milligan, FACHE, FHFMA, CPA. “We are very grateful to Senator Schumer and Congressman Brindisi for their leadership and advocacy in support of quality healthcare in our region.”

“We appreciate HRSA’s national recognition of the critical role that our local community health center plays in fostering growth and patient care access. This award will improve healthcare quality and affordability, and expand patient-centered care in our Mohawk Valley,” said Elizabeth Bowers, Board President of Upstate Family Health Center.  “We are so proud of our committed staff and volunteer board members for their leadership in helping to make this recognition possible.”

Located in Utica, UFHC was originally founded under the umbrella of Upstate Cerebral Palsy, Inc. The organization has five locations between the cities of Utica and Rome, and strives to provide access to high-quality health services to people from any and all backgrounds. For example, UFHC offers services such as routine preventative exams, well-child care and immunizations, diabetic and gynecological care, physical exams, podiatry, laboratory, clinical social work, and insurance navigation. In 2018, UFHC treated 5,226 patients and accepted a total of 17,042 visits.

HRSA’s NAP grant program provides federal funding to both public and private organizations, designated as Federally Qualified Health Centers, with the mission of increasing access to quality, affordable health care services in underserved and low-income areas. This year, the NAP grant program delivered $50,050,000 to 77 organizations across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Upstate Family Health Center is the only applicant to receive NAP funding in New York State this year.

A copy of Schumer’s letter to HHS appears below.

Dear Secretary Azar:

I am pleased to write in support of the application submitted by Upstate Family Health Center for a New Access Point Grant.

Upstate Family Health Center’s application underscores the area’s growing need for responsive health services, particularly for low income, uninsured and underinsured residences of our area. Within Upstate Family Health Center’s proposed service area there are over 105,000 residents living at or below the poverty level.

Upstate Family Health Center is committed to providing access to compassionate, high quality comprehensive health care for everyone, regardless of financial, cultural, or social barriers. By working together, we can build healthy communities in which health disparities are diminished and there is access to care for all. I applaud Upstate Family Health Center for their foresight, and sincerely hope the application meets with your approval.

Thank you for your consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my Grants Coordinator in my Washington, DC office at 202-224-6542.

Sincerely,

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