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Congressman Paul Tonko is visiting Whitney Young Health in Albany today (February 21) to discuss the significance of Medicaid in providing affordable and quality healthcare. As a representative of New York's 20th District, Tonko will meet with staff and leaders at the health center to emphasize the crucial role Medicaid plays in healthcare access.
The visit comes amid concerns over a Republican budget proposal that suggests cuts to healthcare spending, potentially jeopardizing Medicaid coverage for millions. Congressman Tonko, a Democrat, voted against these proposed cuts during a budget committee markup last week.
Whitney Young Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center, has been serving New York’s Capital Region for over 50 years, offering essential healthcare services, including dental care, to low-income communities and Medicaid recipients. Recently, the center received a $499,999 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to establish a community-based dental residency program. This program aims to address the increasing demand for dental services among Medicaid recipients and ensure access to quality dental care for thousands in the region.
Dave Shippee, President and CEO of Whitney Young Health, expressed optimism about the program's potential impact. "This $500,000 federal grant award, secured with the support and advocacy of Congressman Paul Tonko, will greatly assist in building the infrastructure to support the establishment of a Dental Residency Program," he said. The program is expected to help address oral health inequities in the Capital Region and beyond.