DUNKIRK – The Jamestown Post-Journal is reporting that local health officials are have a positive reaction to the news of a federal grant to fund the Chautauqua Health Center. In June, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer announced that a $650,000 federal Health and Human Services Department grant was secured to start a county health center. With a scheduled opening date in October, the center will serve an estimated 5,000 under-served residents with medical needs.
Labeled as a “one-stop shop” for medical access to those with or without insurance, the health center – which had been in discussions and planning for five years – will provide medical and behavior services to thousands in the county. The center will be located in the Graf Building on Central Avenue in Dunkirk.
County health commissioner Christine Schuyler said the center has been sorely needed. She said with a health care provider shortage in the county, the center will provide a variety of services in one location. She added that emergency room visits should decrease – saving room, money and resources for area hospitals.
Chautauqua County Health Network Executive Director Ann Abdella also said the center will be a great benefit for the community.
The federal grant, which will be recurring to the center and supplemented through insurance reimbursements, was secured by the Chautauqua Health Network and the Community Health Center Association of New York.
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