U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) has championed commonsense healthcare reforms to expand access to care in the Central Valley and last week was awarded with three separate awards recognizing his work in this area: the Central Valley Health Network’s 2018 “Champion Award,” National Association of Community Health Centers’ “Distinguished Community Health Advocate” award and the Golden Valley Health Center “Champion of Healthcare” award.
“Access is the biggest healthcare problem we have in the Central Valley,” said Denham. “It’s an honor to be recognized, but we still need to do more, and I look forward to continuing to push for longer-term reauthorization of these critical programs.”
Central Valley Health Network (CVHN) is comprised of a membership of federally qualified health center corporations operating over 120 community health center sites throughout California. As a network, it provides more than two million patient visits each year. This includes Community Medical Centers, which presented the “Distinguished Community Health Advocate” award, and has centers in Tracy and Manteca. Golden Valley Health Centers is one of the major providers of health care in the Central Valley, with multiple facilities in the 10th district – including in Modesto, Turlock, Riverbank, Newman, Empire, Patterson, and Westley.
“As the Central Valley Health Network continues to support its member health centers in providing greater access to quality healthcare services in the Valley, we are honored to recognize Congressman Jeff Denham with our 2018 Champion Award for his unfailing commitment in supporting community health centers,” said Central Valley Health Network CEO Jason Vega.
“Golden Valley Health Centers patients, staff and Board of Directors appreciates Jeff’s continued, and ongoing support of Golden Valley Health Centers,” said Tony Weber, CEO of Golden Valley Health Centers. “Congressman Denham is a true partner in our work to improve the health of those in the communities we serve.”
Denham has been a top congressional leader in promoting legislative solutions to bring more access to the valley and supporting Federally Qualified Health Centers. This includes coauthoring H.R. 3770, the Community Health Investment, Modernization and Excellence (CHIME) Act of 2017, which reauthorizes the Community Health Center Fund for five years with gradual increases in funding up to $4.4 billion by 2022. The Health Center Program awards grants to outpatient health care facilities that provide care to medically underserved populations like the Central Valley.
As part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, Congress reauthorized Community Health Center funding for two years, which will directly support Golden Valley, Community Medical, and Livingston Community Health Centers in California’s 10th District.
Denham represents California’s 10th congressional district, which includes Stanislaus County and a portion of San Joaquin County. He is the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials and also serves on the House Committees on Agriculture and Natural Resources.
