Bill Text: VA SJR176 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Commending Neighborhood Health.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-03-07 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ176ER) [SJR176 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2024-SJR176-Introduced.html
24108334D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 176
Offered February 29, 2024
Commending Neighborhood Health.
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Patrons-- Ebbin and Favola; Delegates: Bennett-Parker, Hope, Lopez and McClure
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WHEREAS, Neighborhood Health, a primary health care safety net nonprofit organization in Northern Virginia is celebrating more than two and a half decades of service; and

WHEREAS, Neighborhood Health's mission is to improve health and advance health equity in Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax County by providing high quality primary care regardless of ability to pay; and

WHEREAS, in its 26 years of service, Neighborhood Health has remained committed to the vision that everyone in the community deserves access to high quality health care; and

WHEREAS, Neighborhood Health traces its roots to the Arlandria Clinic for Women and Children and was subsequently known as Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services, Inc., which became Northern Virginia's first federally qualified health center in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Neighborhood Health has worked tirelessly to increase access to care for the most underserved individuals in Northern Virginia, serving more than 37,000 patients in 2023 compared to 1,500 patients during its first year; and

WHEREAS, Neighborhood Health's patients are predominately low-income, uninsured, or underinsured, ethnically and racially diverse, and have few other options for accessing high-quality care; and

WHEREAS, Neighborhood Health provides primary medical care for adults and children, chronic disease care, pediatrics and newborn care, women's health care, prenatal care, dental care, behavioral health, family planning, HIV care and prevention, optometry, pharmacy, lab services, immunizations, nutrition and health education, cancer screenings, family support services, health insurance enrollment, and COVID-19 testing and vaccinations; and

WHEREAS, Neighborhood Health operates 15 clinics in high-needs areas in Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax County; and

WHEREAS, Neighborhood Health is accredited by The Joint Commission, certified as a Patient-Centered Medical Home, and has been recognized nationally by the Health Resources and Services Administration for its high-quality care; and

WHEREAS, Neighborhood Health played a leading role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, administering more than 76,000 tests, distributing 30,000 self-tests and 13,000 N95 masks, and administering over 95,000 vaccines in underserved communities through mobile vaccinations, and in partnership with faith organizations, food banks, nonprofit organizations, and local agencies; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Neighborhood Health for providing critical primary health care and improving the lives of thousands of families in Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax County for more than 25 consecutive years; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Neighborhood Health as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the organization's significant contributions to public health in Northern Virginia.

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