The Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center received an $850,000 award Thursday from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), allowing the community health center to move forward with plans to open a new clinic in Newberg, Oregon. The Newberg Clinic will be Virginia Garcia’s 12th service location and the third in Yamhill County.
“Although the Affordable Care Act has dramatically improved access to insurance for many thousands of Oregonians, large portions of the state’s migrant farmworker population are still not going to be covered,” said Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center CEO Gil Muñoz. “This grant will allow Virginia Garcia to improve the health center’s ability to reach patients where they live and work and grow our capacity to provide the best care for those who need it most.”
The Oregon Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Enumeration Profiles Study estimates that Yamhill County is home to over 8,000 migrant and seasonal farmworkers, many of who encounter economic and cultural barriers to quality health care. The Newberg Clinic will provide high-quality health care services to uninsured residents and migrant farmworkers in Yamhill County by offering integrated primary care, behavioral/mental health, and oral health services in a unique setting that includes public health, substance abuse, and onsite WIC services.
The clinic will also give Virginia Garcia an outpost to coordinate mobile services and outreach to migrant farmworkers at nearby migrant camps and commercial nurseries. Virginia Garcia estimates that the Newberg Clinic will serve 2,400 patients during the first year.
This has really been a grassroots project and Virginia Garcia is excited to partner with several organizations, including Providence Newberg Medical Center, the Yamhill County Health Department, Yamhill County CCO, George Fox University, and the Yakima Valley Farm workers Clinic.
“This is exciting news for our community and a giant step in the right direction to increase affordable access to health care in Newberg,” said Lori Van Zanten, Providence Newberg Medical Center’s chief executive and Virginia Garcia Memorial Foundation board member. “The new clinic will enhance the health of our county and enable Virginia Garcia to continue their amazing work. We look forward to growing our partnership with Virginia Garcia in Newberg to benefit patients and strengthen the community.”
“Virginia Garcia is a valued partner in the local Coordinated Care Organization’s delivery system, especially because they bring a medical home model of care that is truly integrated and capable of meeting physical, behavioral and oral health needs,” said Silas Halloran-Steiner, Yamhill CCO Board Chair and Director of the Yamhill County Health and Human Services Department. “Yamhill County Health and Human Services is excited to partner with Virginia Garcia and integrate a full array of behavioral health services into the Newberg expansion site.”
For more information on the grant program, including a quote from HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, please visit read the HHS press release:
HHS awards Affordable Care Act funds to expand access to care
About Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center provides high quality, comprehensive and culturally appropriate primary health care with a special emphasis on those with barriers to receiving health care. Since its founding 38 years ago, Virginia Garcia has grown from a grassroots volunteer-run clinic into a full service health care home serving Washington and Yamhill Counties. Today, Virginia Garcia employs over 250 people, has a budget of more than $30 million, and serves nearly 36,000 patients at four primary care clinics, three dental clinics, four school-based health centers and a mobile outreach clinic.
Visit www.virginiagarcia.org for more information on the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center.
November 11, 2013
