The Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS), the voice for federally qualified health centers in New York, is proud to join thousands of advocates across the country in celebrating passage of the Medicare and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (H.R. 2) which will soon be signed into law by President Obama. The legislation includes a two-year extension of critical mandatory funding for community health centers, as well as for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and the Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program.
“CHCANYS extends its sincere appreciation to the NYS Congressional Delegation, including Senator Schumer, whose leadership helped to carry this legislation forward thereby guaranteeing $7 billion in mandatory funding for the Health Center Program over two years,” said Elizabeth Swain, CEO and President of CHCANYS.
“These much-needed funds will allow 60 community health centers throughout New York, including 600 sites around the state, improve healthcare access for many local communities,” said Senator Schumer. “Specifically, these funds will increase access to primary care services by enabling these health center to hire new staff, stay open longer, and expand care to areas like oral health and vision services. I was happy to support this funding extension especially the potential for increased jobs for local area residents and health professionals. This is great news for New York State and I will continue to fight for this kind of funding in the future so that New Yorkers may continue to benefit from increased care and jobs in the future.”
“Our thanks also go out to the thousands of grassroots advocates, health center staff, board members and patients who worked as a team over many months to ensure passage,” said Larry McReynolds, Chair of CHCANYS’ Board of Directors and President of NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers in Brooklyn. “We look forward to working with Congress and the Administration to deliver on the promise of H.R. 2 and make access to affordable care a reality for millions of patients.”