Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez Visits the Institute for Family Health’s Cadman Family Health Center

Brooklyn, NY (May 30, 2019) – Representative Nydia M. Velázquez of New York’s 7th congressional district visited Cadman Family Health Center, a federally-qualified health center (FQHC) in Downtown Brooklyn, on Wednesday, May 29th. Congresswoman Velázquez, a strong supporter of policies that promote access to health care for all, met with leadership and staff from the Institute for Family Health (the Institute) to discuss community health needs in Brooklyn and legislative priorities to expand access to high-quality and affordable health care.

During the meeting, Rep. Velázquez reiterated her ardent support for legislation and policy proposals that support the community’s access to health care, especially for residents of underserved communities such as Red Hook and Sunset Park. She spoke passionately about the need for ongoing federal funding for community health centers and their training programs, including through H.R.1943, the Community Health Center and Primary Care Workforce Expansion Act of 2019, for which she is a co-sponsor.

“As a co-sponsor of the bill to fund community health centers this year, I know that your representatives know the important role that community health centers play in their districts,” said Rep. Velázquez at the meeting. “We want to hear from you about how we can help you. Given the political climate, it’s especially important to me to know that you are here, so that immigrant communities know they have a place that welcomes them.”

The Cadman Family Health Center, at 300 Cadman Plaza West in Downtown Brooklyn, serves patients from Rep. Velázquez’s district and throughout New York City, regardless of their ability to pay. The center, which opened in 2017, offers both primary medical care and mental health care for adults and children of all ages. As an FQHC, the center welcomes all, regardless of their insurance status, providing care to those with Medicare, Medicaid, marketplace (“Obamacare”) plans, private insurance, or no insurance. In addition to providing services in the community, the Institute for Family Health leads a number of community outreach and training programs that aim to improve the health of community residents, especially those who have limited incomes or face other barriers to accessing health care.

Rep. Velázquez and the Institute’s co-founder, president and CEO, Dr. Neil Calman, also discussed health center-based training programs, like the Teaching Health Centers program, which trains physicians to provide outstanding primary care in underserved communities. In speaking about H.R. 2815, a bill to support the expansion of the Teaching Health Centers program, Dr. Calman said, “So many of the graduates of these training programs continue to work in community health centers, where we need them. We have people all over our organization who trained with us and are now leaders here. Funding for the Teaching Health Centers program is absolutely vital – in order to serve the community, we need to have the workforce.”

Now serving her 14th Congressional term, Rep. Velázquez was the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the U.S. Congress. Among other committee appointments, she is Chair of the House Small Business Committee and a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. She has sponsored numerous legislative acts to promote the advancement of women, immigrants and small businesses; and assure equitable access to quality health care, a safe environment, and financial security for all.

The Institute for Family Health is a federally qualified health center network committed to providing comprehensive and affordable health care to all people, regardless of their ability to pay. One of the Institute’s 30 health center locations, the Cadman Family Health Center offers preventive medical care and screenings, women’s and men’s health services, and health education and care for chronic illnesses, including diabetes and HIV. The center also offers mental health and substance abuse services including counseling and treatment for opioid dependence. Cadman Family Health Center is located on the 17th floor of 300 Cadman Plaza West, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, between Clinton and Pierrepont Streets. The center is accessible by the following subway or bus lines: 4 or 5 to Borough Hall; N, R or W to Court Street; 2 or 3 to Borough Hall; A, C or F to Jay Street – Metrotech; or the B25, 26, 38, 41, 52 or 103 bus lines. To make an appointment, call (718) 822-1818.