“For Our Patients, this isn’t just a Budget Issue – It’s a Matter of Health and Well-Being.”
Trenton, NJ – On Tuesday, May 6th, Sarina Brady, the CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey’s Community Health Center, (CHC) a Federally Qualified Health Center, testified before the NJ State Assembly Health Committee for their support in protecting Medicaid from proposed cuts. Under proposed federal cuts, New Jersey could lose nearly 10 billion dollars in Medicaid funding.
Ms. Brady advocated for Federally Qualified Health Centers, pointing out that of the nearly 600,000 people served by New Jersey’s Community Health Centers (CHCs) in 2024, 55% were Medicaid beneficiaries. At VNACJ Community Health Center, 47% of the 18,000 people served in 2024 were covered under Medicaid. Nationally, she noted that in 2023, Community Health Centers provided care for 18% of all Medicaid beneficiaries, yet made up only 2.3% of Medicaid spending. She explained that, because CHC’s provide comprehensive primary and preventative care, at a lower cost than other primary care providers, this actually saved Medicaid $1,400 per adult patient per year. Access to primary and preventative care reduces the utilization of more costly services like emergency department visits, hospitalizations and outpatient specialty care. A recent study showed that in 2023, CHC’s saved Medicaid $38.6 billion by keeping patients healthy and avoiding the aforementioned additional costs. Ms. Brady stated that “Community Health Centers are a key partner for Medicaid as it seeks innovative solutions to improve health while lowering costs.”
She stressed that a third of all Americans rely on Medicaid for health coverage and for them the proposed cuts would be devastating, leaving millions uninsured and thousands of providers, including Community Health Centers, at risk of closing their doors. Medicaid payments represent 43% of CHCs total revenue.
Brady went on to stress the personal toll. “For our patients, this isn’t just a budget issue – it’s a matter of health and well-being. Medicaid makes it possible to receive care in the community, to be treated with dignity, to avoid delays in diagnosis or care, and to avoid unnecessary hospital visits. We cannot allow the critical services provided by the Community Health Centers to be taken away from those who need them most.”
About VNACJ Community Health Center
The Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Community Health Center, Inc. (VNACJ CHC) has remained an integral part of Monmouth County for more than 30 years, providing comprehensive primary and preventative care for infants, children, and adults. The team of expert physicians and certified nurse practitioners specializes in primary care for the entire family, as well as prenatal and gynecological care, disease prevention, behavioral health, dental care, chiropractic care, lab testing, and more. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, the VNACJ CHC provides care at a sliding scale cost—meaning that quality of care is never dictated by ability to pay. VNACJ CHC health centers are conveniently located in Asbury Park, Freehold, Keyport, and Red Bank. VNACJ CHC works across its four locations to fulfill its mission of building healthy communities and enhancing well-being. For more information about the VNACJ CHC, please visit www.vnachc.org.
CONTACT:
VNACJ CHC
Gerry Gavin, Director Communications & Outreach
(848) 332-0268