VNA receiving $350,000 for Asbury Park expansion

One of Asbury Park's most vital preventive-care facilities gets the means to expand, with a $350,000 federal grant.

Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey will use the Department of Health and Human Services grant to increase patient capacity at its Community Health Center in the city, according to shore Representative Frank Pallone (D-6), Senior Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The funds will also support expanded comprehensive primary and preventive health services for medically-underserved patients, which Pallone says can help reduce the need to visit hospitals.

Federal officials dedicated $260,000,000 to 290 health centers nationwide, for renovations, expansion and construction.

It originates in the Community Health Center (CHC) Fund created by the Affordable Care Act, extended in the Mediare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015.

During his term as Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, Pallone lobbied for passage of the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare.