Congressman Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) announced today that a direct $250,000 federal earmark to support the St. Francis Primary Care Van has been included in the FY 2004 Consolidated Appropriations bill, which is expected to pass the House next week.  Smith has worked throughout the past year to get the funding for the primary care van included in the spending bill.

    “The St. Francis Primary Care Van provides an invaluable community service to residents of the city of Trenton and of Hightstown.  Right now, the van visits 23 sites in the two municipalities and cares for more than 1,200 patients annually,” Smith said.

    “This infusion of federal funding will strengthen an already successful program and will enable St. Francis to offer a broader range of healthcare services and expand the van’s hours of operation to include nights and weekends.

    “The care provided through the St. Francis Van keeps local residents healthier and helps keep them out of the emergency room with more severe health complications,” Smith added.

    The $250,000 in federal support is more than 60 percent of the current costs associated with operating the van and is expected to help St. Francis significantly expand the van’s services. 

    According to officials with the hospital and from local social service agencies, many of the patients who use the van have no health insurance and are hesitant to seek healthcare services.  The St. Francis Primary Care Van plays an integral role in bringing these vulnerable residents into the healthcare system.

    Said Gerry Jablonowski, interim President and CEO of St. Francis, “We are extremely grateful for the efforts of Congressman Chris Smith in securing $250,000 in federal funding that will allow St. Francis Medical Center to continue to provide primary medical care through our mobile medical van to the thousands of Trenton and Hightstown area residents who otherwise could not afford basic health care services and medical screenings.

    “This funding demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the Congressman to promote collaboration between the federal government and St. Francis Medical Center with the focus on serving the medically indigent in the Trenton and Hightstown areas.  We extend our thanks and appreciation to Congressman Smith and all the individuals and organizations who participated in this successful campaign to secure this important funding.”

    Patients of the primary care van can either schedule an appointment or simply travel to the van on any given day of operation to receive care.  Once a patient makes a visit, St. Francis works to schedule follow-up visits and enroll additional family members.

    “I look forward to continuing my long relationship with St. Francis to help the hospital serve all of the residents of the greater-Mercer area,” Smith said.