WASHINGTON - U.S Representative Edolphus “Ed” Towns (NY-10) today announced that he is taking steps to ensure that School Based Health Centers (SBHCs) are able to continue providing affordable, quality care millions of low income and underserved adolescents who currently lack insurance coverage.  School-based health centers (SBHCs) are fully equipped medical offices located in schools that provide a broader range of services than traditional primary care providers.  

Towns joined several of his colleagues to introduce the Healthy Schools Act of 2009 (H.R. 2840) which would require that Medicaid and SCHIP reimburse SBHCs for all covered items and services provided by school-based health clinics under these programs.  A majority of the 1700 nationwide SBHCs that serve more than two million children are located in underserved urban or rural areas, and serve at-risk populations.  According to the New York City Department of Health, 39 SBHCs are located throughout the 10th Congressional District.

“Throughout my career, I have been committed to providing children and adolescents with access to the best healthcare coverage possible,” said Rep. Towns.  “Ensuring that School-Based Health Centers receive funding for all the important services they help students stay health so they can achieve their full academic potential.”
 
Many states currently do not guarantee reimbursement for health care services SBHCs provide to students who are enrolled in Medicaid or SCHIP.  To ensure reimbursement payments are made to the SBHCs, the Healthy Schools Act amends titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act and guarantees procedures for payment under Medicaid and SCHIP for SBHC services.  In addition, the legislation establishes minimum criteria for “primary health services” as the core group of services offered by a SBHC.   

Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) echoed Rep. Towns' commitment to making these important changes to School-Based Health Center funding.

“As we reform our health system, we must find ways to deliver care more efficiently,” said Congressman John Sarbanes.  “One of the ways we can do this is by bringing health care to the patient.  Children spend five days a week in school and there is no better place to deliver regular primary and preventive care.  School based health centers will give parents more choices and make it easier for children to get regular checkups so that we can catch health problems sooner.”

Rep. Towns joined Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), Rep. John Sarbanes and nearly a dozen of their colleagues to introduce the Health Schools Act. Companion legislation, S. 1034, has already been introduced in the Senate.  Rep. Towns also introduced similar legislation in the 110th Congress to provide reimbursement payments to SBHCs.

“Improving access to healthcare for our children is vital,” said Rep. Towns.  “Every day, kids go to school without proper care, preventing them from succeeding in the classroom.  This bill will support SBHCs that keep children healthy and in school, where they learn the skills to accomplish their dreams and help move this country forward.”

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