FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
02 June 2022
Contact: Liam Forsythe, 310-513-3469 (mobile)
LYNWOOD, CA – On Tuesday, May 31, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) joined BANJ Health Centers, Inc. Board Members Dr. John Andrews, Dr. Violeta Vicencio, and Dr. Hoang-Chuong N. Vu, staff, and community members to celebrate funding that will enhance the Center’s ability to serve patients through the purchase of new equipment. The $50,000 in funding was secured by Barragán as part of the Community Funded Projects included in the 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act that the President signed into law on March 15, 2022.
“Community health centers are a lifeline in our Southeast Los Angeles County communities. I know how important these are to so many families, because growing up my family received services at clinics just like BANJ Health Center. The federal funding I worked hard to secure in the federal budget will allow our community to receive comprehensive testing for various conditions at a much lower price than commercial labs. Access to health care is key, but it means little if the health care is not also affordable. This project builds on BANJ Health Center’s commitment to provide low-cost health services to our medically-underserved community in Lynwood,” said Rep. Barragán.
The funds will allow BANJ Health Centers, Inc. to purchase new medical equipment for BANJ’s clinical reference lab in Lynwood, which will enable BANJ to provide comprehensive lab testing for patients at a significantly lower cost than commercial labs. BANJ Health Centers, Inc. leadership, staff, and supporters came together for a check presentation to celebrate this funding and partnership with Congresswoman Barragán that will contribute to improved access to affordable healthcare services for our communities in California’s 44th Congressional District.
“BANJ Health Center is honored to receive this community project grant award. The funding will be used to complete our clinical reference laboratory in Lynnwood. This lab is helping our most needy, low income, uninsured patients by providing high quality outpatient diagnostic lab services. We wish to thank Congresswoman Barragán for supporting our efforts to improve the health of our community,” said Marie N Lamothe, Executive Director of BANJ Health Centers, Inc.
Nanette Diaz Barragán is proud to represent California’s 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Florence-Firestone, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, Walnut Park, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington. She serves as chairwoman of the House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Border Security, and on the House Energy and Commerce Health, Energy, and Environment & Climate Change Subcommittees.