Support the FQHC Structure

Recommendation

The State of New Jersey should provide funding to Federally Qualified Health Centers and community-based clinics that care for vulnerable, high-risk obstetric patients based on analogous increases in capacity and impending strain on their infrastructure and operating margins. In light of recent hospital closures within several medically under served areas Statewide, there is a need to support the existing community based health centers that provide prenatal services to high-risk patients. For those who will be required to seek specialty care based on high-risk obstetric conditions, every effort should be made to ensure that high quality specialty care is either available within the same facility or accessible at a regional perinatal center that has an affiliation agreement with the respective FQHC. According to the New Jersey Primary Care Association, the cost of increasing capacity is projected at $20.8M

Encourage partnership between high risk specialist and FQHC’s through federal tort claims protection for medical malpractice