PRESS RELEASE

Senator Corzine Visits Plainfield Health Center
Promotes Medical Expansion Grant and “Start Healthy, Stay Healthy” Act

For Immediate Release: Friday, August 16, 2002-PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY- The Plainfield Health Center, one of fourteen Federally Qualified Health Centers in New Jersey, dedicated to providing cost effective primary health care services for the residents of Plainfield and surrounding communities, today hosted Senator Jon Corzine, who visited the Center to announce a major Department of Health and Human Services grant award, and to announce his bipartisan legislation to expand health insurance coverage for low-income pregnant women and their children.

Senator Corzine addressed an audience of patients, community residents and the press at a gathering at the Center. Announcing the award of $1.1 million, part of a total award of $55.8 million being distributed to 131 health centers (see separate release), the Senator explained how this funding would enable Plainfield Health Center to increase its patient base from 17,000 to 22,000. This grant is part of a national effort to enhance and ensure access to primary health care for all citizens.

The Senator also expounded on The ‘Start Healthy, Stay Healthy’ Act initiative which he is sponsoring, aimed at expanding health insurance coverage for low-income pregnant women and their unborn child. Additionally, the coverage for the child would expand from age 18 to age 20. “Ensuring a healthy start at life is a promise we should make to all of America’s children,” said Senator Corzine. The Start Health, Stay Healthy Act further seeks to improve access to health care services and improve the health status of pregnant women and children.

“The Plainfield Health Center is a strong supporter of any legislation that helps eliminate access barriers to health care, especially for pregnant women,” said Julane Miller-Armbrister, President and Chief Operating Officer. “The additional assistance that this bill provides for continuation of primary health care insurance for youth through age 20 is also important as those are the years when many patients neglect routine health maintenance and disease prevention care.”

About The Plainfield Health Center

The Plainfield Health Center, incorporated as the Plainfield Neighborhood Health Services Corporation, was born in 1969 under the auspices of the 1960's Model Cities Neighborhood Program. Led by a dedicated group of community activists, the Center was initially created to provide accessible health care to the residents of the West End of Plainfield.

Since then, the Center has grown, added more services, increased the number of specialties of professional health staff, and expanded its reach to the entire City of Plainfield and neighboring communities. Today, the Plainfield Health Center serves more than 17,000 patients annually. Its total care program provides adult medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, adolescent medicine, school based services, dentistry and ancillary support services.

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