Delgado discusses access to rural health care and cost of prescription drugs at Kingston Family Health Center

Statement

Today, Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) toured the Kingston Family Health Center, a federally-qualified health center that provides primary, behavioral health, and dental care to low-income patients in the Mid-Hudson region. In addition to these services, Rep. Delgado heard about the health center's work to address the opioid crisis locally as well as its rural health residency program to bring qualified medical professionals to underserved rural communities.

"Access to quality, affordable health care is one of the most critical issues facing families across upstate," Delgado said. "I'm thankful to the leadership and medical staff at the Kingston Family Health Center for their work to provide primary care, behavioral health, and dental care to families in our region. Today's visit underscored the urgent need for more primary care physicians in rural communities, the impact of skyrocketing prescription drug costs, and the critical work our health centers do every day to address the opioid epidemic in our region. I'll keep working to ensure community health centers receive the critical federal funding they need so that all upstate families have access to affordable care."

Rep. Delgado has made access to affordable, quality health care a top priority during his time in Congress. This Spring, the Congressman led his colleagues in introducing legislation to create a public option through the Medicare-X Choice Act. This legislation has earned the support of House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries. The Congressman has also worked to lift the voices of health care advocates and patients across New York's 19th District through his Health Care Advisory Committee with representatives from all eleven counties in the district.

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