Funding from the newly approved state budget will support health-related social needs of vulnerable migrant families upon arrival
Boston, MA (August 9, 2023) — Today, Governor Maura Healey signed the state’s Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) budget that includes $250,000 for East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC) to strengthen its support for migrant families in its service area, as well as $300,000 to improve physical access to EBNHC’s Emergency Department, the fourth busiest in the City of Boston.
“East Boston Neighborhood Health Center has been a trusted partner to immigrant and underserved community members throughout East Boston and our surrounding communities for more than 50 years,” said State Sen. Lydia Edwards (3rd Suffolk District) who sponsored the legislation. “This much-needed funding will strengthen the health center’s ability to respond to the urgent needs of immigrants new to our city, connecting them with resources such as food, clothing, and high-quality medical care. When we care for those in need, our entire community benefits.”
This major investment will bolster the work of EBNHC’s Community Resource and Wellness Center, which opened in 2020 at 282 Meridian Street, and is a hub for new migrant families seeking navigation support and access to resources such as emergency shelter, food, and personal items, assistance with school enrollment and primary care, referrals for legal assistance and other services.
“Across the nation, community health centers are often the first stop for newcomers to our country. As the largest community-based primary care health system in Massachusetts, our staff and facilities are now better positioned to respond to the influx of migrants coming to the Commonwealth, thanks to the support and advocacy of our legislators,” said EBNHC CEO and President, Greg Wilmot. “For our community, we are more than clinicians. We are a resource, a support network, and a neighbor to those in need. This funding will help us better fill those many roles.”
The additional $300,000 funding earmarked through an amendment by State Rep. Adrian Madaro (1st Suffolk District) adds accessibility upgrades to the EBNHC Emergency Department located on the first floor of the Taylor Building on 10 Gove Street in East Boston. The recently rebuilt ED provides 40,000 patient visits a year and features an expanded waiting room, private triage and registration, behavioral health safe room, and state-of-the-art medical imaging technology including a new CT Scanner. Serving as a first response for a high volume and wide range of patients, EBNHC’s Emergency Department plays an integral part in Boston’s healthcare ecosystem.
“Maintaining and expanding access to high-quality urgent and emergency medical care for residents of East Boston and surrounding cities and towns is critical to our community’s health and wellness,” said Rep. Madaro. “This investment from the State will allow patients, staff, and EMS to more easily and safely enter and exit the busy EBNHC Emergency Department in the heart of East Boston.”
ABOUT EBNHC
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC) is one of the nation’s largest Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and the largest community-based primary care health system in Massachusetts, serving over 100,000 patients and recognized by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as a Health Center Quality Leader. For more than 50 years, EBNHC has offered access to comprehensive care for the underserved populations of Chelsea, East Boston, Revere, Winthrop, Everett and Boston’s South End. EBNHC is dedicated to promoting and sustaining healthy communities, families, and individuals by providing accessible, person-centered, compassionate, and high-quality health care services to all who live and work in our service area. For more information, please visit ebnhc.org
