Neptune, New Jersey – February 28, 2025. Earlier this month, Sarina Brady, the CEO of VNACJ Community Health Center and Dr. Ian Leber, the Chief Medical Officer, had the privilege of representing our health center at the National Association of Community Health Centers Policy & Issues Forum in Washington D.C. NACHC is the leading innovative change agent collaborating with affiliates and partners throughout the country, to advance Community Health Centers as the foundation of an equitable health care system free from disparities and built on accessible, patient-governed, high-quality, integrated primary care.
A Powerful Advocacy Opportunity
This was a powerful opportunity to advocate for the collective work of Community Health Centers across our State and our Nation. Our local mission included a visit to Capitol Hill, where we were able to meet with the teams for Congressman Frank Pallone, Congressman Herb Conaway, Senator Cory Booker, and Senator Andy Kim. This gave us an excellent opportunity to discuss the most pressing issues facing Community Health Centers today such as:
- Continued federal grant funding
- Proposed Medicaid cuts
- Protections for health centers within the 340B program
- Protections and payment parity for telehealth
- Workforce development, including funding for critical programs like Teaching Health Centers and National Health Service Corps
Bringing the “Voice” of the Community to Congress
“It was my honor to represent our patients, the communities we serve, and the staff of VNACJ CHC who deliver on our mission day in and day out”, shared Ms. Brady. “We brought along with us written testimonials detailing, in the words of our patients and employees, the impact of the work we do. Our members of Congress are best able to understand this impact when they hear it first hand from their constituents.”
About VNACJ Community Health Center
The Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Community Health Center, Inc. (VNACJ Community Health Center) has been integral to Monmouth County for over 30 years, providing comprehensive primary and preventative care for infants, children, and adults.
As a Federally Qualified Health Center, VNACJ Community Health Center provides care at a sliding-scale cost, meaning that quality of care is never dictated by a patient’s ability to pay. Ensuring equitable access and overcoming barriers in the healthcare system is central to the organization’s mission and approach to care.
VNACJ Community Health Centers are conveniently located in Asbury Park, Freehold, Keyport, and Red Bank. The organization works across its four locations to fulfill its mission of building healthy communities and enhancing well-being.
With a diverse and multilingual team of professionals, VNACJ Community Health Center aims to represent and reflect New Jersey’s diverse communities, focusing on expanding access to high-quality healthcare in a trusted and inclusive environment. To learn more, visit: https://vnachc.org/
