Federal funding freezing target health clinics in Virginia closes several down, leaving others on the edge – 13newsnow.com Wvec

NewPort News, Washington-Investigation hours in the Southeast Health System of Virginia-48th Street Doctors Center in Newport News begins with a number of patients waiting to be seen. Inside are employees who do not know if they will be able to keep the center open.

“As the CEO of the Southeast Virginia Health System, I am very concerned about the future of healthcare and the future of services we provide to our customers,” said Angela Futrell.

Since the White House Management and Budget Office has launched a note calling for frozen federal grants and loans, several health centers in the Community have not had access to money to remain open or to offer all their services. This note was canceled after a national turmoil; However, the White House press release Carolyn Levitus insisted that freezing remains intact and will be “strictly applied”.

Since then, Federal Judge has blocked freezing.

“I don’t know what will happen for February – we have not made this experience, but I have several colleagues, I would say more than five who have not yet been able to withdraw their funds” added Futrell.

There are 31 federally qualified health centers in Virginia. Most are located in areas where the most rural areas or places that are health deserts are needed.

“We serve over 25,000 people in a year in Southeastern Virginia. If we’re not here, what will happen to these people? The goal of the Community Health Center, again, is that people have a health home,” Futrell said.

Several centers within the capital’s health network closed themselves this week.

On Thursday, US senators Tim Kane and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) led 20 of their college letter to the secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services of the United States. They require answers to several questions related to the challenges that the centers have reduced.