Meeks Announces Funding Requests for New York's Fifth District Included in House Bill

Press Release

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Gregory W. Meeks announced the inclusion of his Community Project Funding requests in the Appropriations Subcommittee's Fiscal Year 2022 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies bill.

All 10 of Rep. Meeks requests were included in the bill totaling $15.1m for New York's 5th Congressional District. Members of Congress were limited to submitting 10 total Community Project Funding requests.

"In my district from Southeast Queens to the Rockaways and Nassau County, we are still fighting COVID-19 while trying to rebuild our economy. These 10 funding requests ensure we can build back better by addressing healthcare disparities, engaging youth, and strengthening our community, and I'm proud to advocate on behalf of these critical projects. This bill provides adequate and necessary funding for developments and activities that have a direct impact on every constituent in New York's 5th Congressional District," said Congressman Gregory W. Meeks.

The inclusion of this funding in the Subcommittee's bill is the first step in the funding process. Rep. Meeks will continue to fight for this funding as the bill moves to the full Appropriations Committee, consideration on the House Floor, and negotiations with the Senate.

"On behalf of St. John's Episcopal Hospital, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Congressman Gregory Meeks for his continued support, and advocacy for funding from the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services that will go towards our Women and Newborns Health Equity Renovation project, and our Behavioral Health Equity Renovation project," said Jerry Walsh, Chief Executive Officer of Episcopal Health Services. "As the only hospital located on the Rockaway, Queens Peninsula, these two projects will significantly help us achieve our mission of improving access to quality healthcare to the more than 130,000 community members that we serve. We look forward to receiving final funding approval from the House, the Senate, and the White House. Thank you again to Congressman Gregory Meeks for always taking into account the needs of the Rockaway communities."

"This funding will allow Jamaica Hospital, a vital safety-net hospital serving a predominately minority and historically underserved population in Queens to construct a new, state-of-the-art MRI imaging suite that will double our existing capabilities and help to create more equitable access to care for our patients. As one of the busiest Level 1 Trauma Centers in New York City, and the only Level 1 Trauma Center in South Queens, this project will allow our critically ill patients experiencing trauma, stroke, and other illnesses to more easily access imaging services in our Emergency Department. We thank Congressman Meeks and his staff for their assistance in reaching this important step, for recognizing the critical investments required to modernize our emergency facilities, and applaud the Congressman for his dedication to improving longstanding healthcare disparities in Queens," said Bruce J. Flanz, President & CEO, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

"We are extremely gratified that our Community Project Funding Request has successfully moved through the first stages of approval at the House Subcommittee level. This very worthwhile healthcare initiative will most certainly benefit our patients and our community. We are hopeful that it will ultimately receive final funding approval and we thank Congressman Meeks for his continued support of our efforts," said Miriam Y. Vega, CEO, Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center, Inc.

"The investing of the people closest to the problem helps us ignite hope, resiliency, and resolution to ending violence and making peace a lifestyle. Life Camp, King of Kings and 100 Suits are proud to stand with Congressman Gregory Meeks in advocating for Southeast Queens to have the resources to continue our work and build a safer community," said Erica Ford, CEO of Life Camp.

"The Long Island FQHC, Inc. is grateful to Congressman Meeks for his support of our Elmont Health Center. Funding he is advocating to secure will be used to add new dental operatories and equipment while also making many necessary building repairs to the roof and exterior of our health center. The Long Island FQHC, Inc. provides care to anyone regardless of their ability to pay. Many of our patients are uninsured so funding like this is crucial to continue to provide high quality care to the community. On behalf of our staff and board of directors we want to again thank Congressman Meeks for his support and dedication to the health center movement and his constituents in the Elmont community," said David Nemiroff, LCSW, President and CEO of Long Island FQHC, Inc.

"The Skills and Simulation Center is a major component of the construction of a new Health Sciences Center at St. John's University's Queens Campus. The Health Sciences Center will house state-of-the-art simulation facilities where students can learn and benefit from simulation training opportunities before their required experiential education and completing their clinical rotation requirements at a clinical setting. True to our founding and enduring mission, St. John's is committed to focusing on teaching, research, and interprofessional education that prepares competent, compassionate, professional healthcare providers to meet the needs of the local and global community. We are grateful for the support of Rep. Greg Meeks advocating on our behalf to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Humans Services for this Community Project Funding Request," said Brian Browne, Executive Director, University Relations, St. John's University.

"It is great news that the York College/CUNY Holistic Study of Health Disparities Initiative and Workforce Step Up Projects were approved by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services," said Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes, President of York College. "These two projects will examine the causes of differential health outcomes, examine ways to address them, and offer trainings that will equip low- and middle-skilled workers, community residents as well as students, and alumni with skills to advance in the workforce. I thank Congressman Meeks, the House Subcommittee members, and other York College colleagues for their advocacy. I look forward to the next steps for a full committee vote and approval through Congress to make this very meaningful application a reality."

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