Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel secured a preliminary $390,000 in funding for the Refuah Health Center as part of the FY 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill.

Funding will be used to provide additional capacity, by opening up another facility adjacent to the main building. This facility will allow for the expansion of dental services for its patients. This action was a preliminary step in a long process. The bill will now be considered by the full House Appropriations Committee, and then the full House. The Senate is also working on their version of the bill.

Rep. Engel is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health. In March, he was awarded the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) 2009 Distinguished Community Health Superhero Award.

“As improvements are considered in Washington to our health care system, I am pleased to help reward those entities who are currently bringing quality care to New Yorkers, such as Refuah. Once reforms are made, I am certain that quality of care will continue, and in fact be enhanced,” said Rep. Engel. “At a time when health care costs have dramatically increased across the country, health centers have kept their costs well under those of other health care providers. In addition, research has shown that health centers actually save the health system money, and that their patients see better results and fewer hospital emergency room visits.”

“On behalf of our dental staff and patients, I would like to thank Congressman Engel for his tireless support of the 2010 appropriations request,” said Chanie Sternberg, Refuah Health Center’s executive director. “These additional operatories, coupled with Refuah’s outstanding dentists, our comprehensive team of specialists, and our superior delivery of care, will enable us to treat so many in need.”

Rep. Engel added, “While this is only the beginning of the Appropriations process, I feel very good that funding for this important program was included in this measure. I will continue working with my colleagues to ensure this funding is preserved as the bill moves through the legislative process.”