Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $300,000 to the Paterson Community Health Center to assist the center in providing primary health care to low-income Paterson residents.

"This grant will allow Paterson Community Health Center to continue providing high-quality health care services to underserved Patersonians," said Rep. Pascrell. “For decades, Paterson Community Health has offered cost-effective and accessible care to our community. Paterson Community Health’s commitment to Passaic County residents remains a critical resource to innumerable individuals and families, especially those who are uninsured and underinsured. Their work to provide community-based health care services is a model for the nation and I will continue fighting to ensure that community health centers have the means they need to continue providing world-class treatment to our residents.”

“Thanks to the Congressman for his help with this grant,” said Dr. Mary Garner, CEO of the Paterson Community Health Center. “This money will help us purchase brand new dental equipment and reopen our dental service center at our second location on Broadway.”

Community Health Centers provide comprehensive health services including primary care, preventive care, behavioral health, and dental care to vulnerable and underserved communities. Rep. Pascrell has supported the full funding of the nation’s 1,400 Community Health Centers, which serve 28 million Americans including 8 million children and 335,000 veterans. These safety-net providers employ more than 220,000 health professionals in 11,000 communities. Each year, Community Health Centers generate about $54 billion in economic activity and save the health system about $24 billion.

Opened in 1979, Paterson Community Health offers primary care services to low-income Paterson residents along with oral health, mental health, and substance abuse services at both permanent locations. The program also offers on-site dental services at community based organizations, schools, day care centers, churches, and public housing developments. The Paterson Community Health Center has two facilities, located at 32 Clinton Street, and at 227 Broadway near Paterson’s downtown area, as well as a mobile van that provides community-based health and dental care to the entire City of Paterson. As a major source of Paterson Community Health’s annual funding, this grant will serve as a resource for the health center to continue providing support and services to uninsured patients.