The Monmouth Family Health Center is pleased to offer our thoughts on national health care reform and we also wish to thank our key legislators in Washington, D.C., for their good work in moving us even closer to final passage. Special thanks must go to Sen. Robert Menendez and Congressman Frank Pallone for their steadfast leadership around this issue. They have been true champions for all New Jerseyans as health care reform has been debated.

Across the country, 1,150 federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) provide vital primary care to more than 17 million Americans with limited financial resources. In New Jersey, there are 20 health centers that operate 97 sites in 20 counties throughout the state.

Directed by boards with majority consumer membership, FQHCs focus on meeting the basic health care needs of their individual communities. They maintain an open-door policy, providing treatment regardless of an individual’s income or insurance coverage.

FQHCs serve community residents from all walks of life, including people enrolled in employer based insurances, Medicare/Medicaid, or public health insurances. They also serve people with limited resources who struggle to access care through traditional channels, including the homeless, residents of public housing, migrant farm workers and others with emergent and chronic health care needs. In recent years, these centers have seen tremendous increases in the numbers of uninsured.

Nationally, the number of health center uninsured patients has increased by 69.7 percent between 2000 and 2008 and will only continue to rise as the economy worsens and people lose their jobs along with their health insurance. Between 2001 and 2008, uninsured patients at New Jersey health centers increased by 100.2 percent, with an average annual growth rate of 12.5 percent. These safety net providers see firsthand the impact of patients who are uninsured.

The impacts of our country’s broken health care system are evident right here in New Jersey. A Families USA study released in July 2009 shows that 1,280 New Jerseyans are losing their health coverage every week, as the steady rise of health care costs drives more and more working families out of the market. We need Congress to act now and pass a strong reform bill that will put our health care system on the road to recovery by expanding coverage to all, lowering costs, and ensuring access to care. After all — isn’t the true reason for health care reform to ensure better health and a better quality of life for everyone? Health care reform is not designed for any special interest group but should be focused on what is best for America. After all, we are only as good as our health allows us to be.

The Monmouth Family Health Center supports passage of a comprehensive package, increased coverage, increased access and insurance market reforms.

Marta C. Silverberg

Executive Director Monmouth Family Health

Center Long Branch