The city is partnering with Henry J. Austin Health Center to provide care to uninsured and underinsured residents
TRENTON -- The city's free health clinic is set to close at the end of the month, but a new shared services agreement with Henry J. Austin Health Center will step in to give uninsured and underinsured residents access to comprehensive health care, the city announced Monday.
The city's North Broad Street clinic, which was staffed by volunteer health-care professionals, has been providing limited medical services such as childhood immunizations, general physicals and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, but patients who had health issues that went beyond the clinic's capabilities were referred to primary care physicians.
With the new agreement, however, they will now have access to more services.
Henry J. Austin's services include adult medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, HIV treatment, dental care, podiatry, ophthalmology, nutrition, social service, substance abuse assessment and intervention, behavioral health and an on-site pharmacy.
"We are capable of treating the whole patient with comprehensive, integrated care," said Dr. Kemi Alli, the chief executive officer.
Starting July 1, the city will pay Henry J. Austin -- the county's only federally qualified health center -- $259,000 a year, according to the resolution that was approved by City Council earlier this month. The agreement is for one year with an option to extend.
Jim Brownlee, the city's health officer and director of Health and Human Services, said the city is working to make the transition seamless for those who have used the clinic.
"Our goal is to increase the availability of services to our patients, which elevates care," he said.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find NJ.com on Facebook.