Obama Administration Awards $3.4 Million to New Jersey Health Centers to Provide Enrollment Assistance

Press Release

Today, Congressman Andrews announced that New Jersey health centers received $3,387,083 in grant awards to enroll the uninsured in new health coverage options made available by the Affordable Care Act. New Jersey's 20 health centers operating 125 sites served 467,913 patients last year alone, 43 percent of whom were uninsured. With these funds, the awardees expect to hire 69 additional workers, who will assist 73,201 New Jerseyans with enrollment into affordable health insurance coverage. Across the nation, 1,159 health centers will receive $150 million in grant awards.

"This investment will give New Jersey neighborhoods and towns more resources to help people understand their insurance options and enroll in affordable coverage," HHS Secretary Sebelius said.

Among New Jersey's awardees, local recipients of this grant include CAMcare Health Corporation and Project H.O.P.E., which received $174,731 and $73,300 respectively. CAMCare has provided high quality, comprehensive health care to Camden's medically underserved since 1978. Similarly, Project H.O.P.E. seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of Camden City's homeless by providing medical and social services in an effort to help those in need transition to self-sufficiency.

"These grants will create nearly 70 new jobs for New Jersey health care professionals, who will work to help countless families in need of health insurance finally obtain access to quality health care," said Congressman Rob Andrews. "This is another milestone for the health reform law that is already helping millions of Americans. I am proud to see our community benefit from this health insurance enrollment program, which will provide families with much needed peace of mind that their health care needs will be covered."

With these awards, health centers will help consumers understand their coverage options in the new Health Insurance Marketplace. They will also help enroll individuals in new affordable health overage plans, determine what financial help they can receive, and establish eligibility for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) issued the awards to complement and align with other federal efforts, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services-funded Navigator program.

"New Jersey health centers are excited to help individuals in their communities take advantage of the benefits of new health insurance coverage options that start in January, 2014," said HRSA Administrator Mary Wakefield, Ph.D, R.N. "Having trained face-to-face assistance in enrollment from trusted resources at local health centers means that more New Jerseyans will get the help they need."

For a list of health centers receiving this funding in New Jersey, as well as the rest of the nation, visit:

http://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/2013tables/outreachandenrollment/

To learn more about the Affordable Care Act, visit www.HealthCare.gov. To learn more about HRSA's Health Center Program, visit http://bphc.hrsa.gov/about/index.html.

As an original author of the Affordable Care Act, the Congressman continues working to strengthen our healthcare system by supporting research, education, and new medical facilities to improve our standard of living and create new opportunities for medical jobs.

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