Henry J. Austin Health Center (HJAHC) has received a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The grant, totaling $377,441 for the first year, will enable HJAHC to expand its hours of operation by supporting critical clinical and administrative staff necessary to add weekday evening and weekend hours.
HJAHC will expand operating hours at two health center locations in Trenton: 321 North Warren Street and 112 Ewing Street.
Since health centers serve patients regardless of their ability to pay, expanding operating hours is particularly critical for individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, or covered by Medicaid and struggle to find affordable care outside of traditional business hours. Many of these patients cannot afford costly visits to urgent care, retail clinics, or emergency departments.
This funding will also help patients overcome common barriers to accessing care — such as bringing a child to the doctor after work or securing a timely weekend appointment when feeling unwell. Additionally, it will connect patients with preventive services and resources that address health-related social needs, ultimately improving health outcomes. Without these expanded hours, many patients might forgo care altogether, increasing health risks and leading to costlier emergency department visits when conditions worsen.
HRSA-supported health centers provide access to primary care services — regardless of an individual’s ability to pay — for over 31 million patients at more than 15,000 service sites in high need communities. More than 90 percent of health center patients have incomes below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
Expanding weekday evening and Saturday afternoon hours will allow HJAHC to increase its overall capacity by maximizing the use of its current licensed primary care locations. This will enable the center to meet the community’s growing demand for services and appointments by offering more in-person care during these extended hours.
More information: henryjaustin.org.
