NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-NJ) today announced $430,000 in Affordable Care Act funding to expand patient-centered health services through construction of new medical access points at two New Jersey health centers.

"Investing in our community health centers is exactly the kind of investment - in job creation, access to health care and the overall health of our communities - that we need to make and will pay returns too great to measure," Sen. Menendez said. "Today's investment to help expand quality, comprehensive health care services to thousands of lower income New Jerseyans was made possible because of the Affordable Care Act - more proof that the ACA is indeed working."

"This grant will make it possible to provide access to quality and affordable healthcare to more New Jerseyans," said Sen. Booker. "The well-being of our residents is vital to the economic strength of our communities. Improving the health outcomes of countless people is an investment that will also help save taxpayers money as more people access care earlier and diminish the possibilities of more serious illnesses."

The specific grant awards follow:

  • $180,075 for Ocean Health Initiatives in Lakewood to support a new medical access point to serve Egg Harbor Harbor Township residents. The health center currently provides comprehensive services in three locations: Lakewood, Manahawkin and Toms River.
  • $249,710 for Zufall Health Center in Dover to support a new medical access point in the easternmost area of West Orange that will provide comprehensive primary and preventive medical care to residents.

In New Jersey, 20 health centers operate 130 sites, providing preventive and primary health care services to 483,113 New Jerseyans, including 221,553 Latinos and 150,813 African Americans.

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