Sen. Aubertine Secures $200,000 for North Country Children’s Clinic

Funding protects Clinic’s vital programming to maintain services to uninsured, underinsured

WATERTOWN (August 17, 2010)—The North Country Children’s Clinic and State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine today announced that the clinic has received a $200,000 legislative grant secured by the Senator to help the clinic cover the cost of medical and dental care for uninsured and underinsured children.

“These funds are an investment and we are grateful to the Senator for the work he did in ensuring that we received this grant,” said North Country Children’s Clinic Executive Director Aileen Martin, “By making healthcare affordable to all families, regardless of their insurance status, we save taxpayers the cost of expensive emergency room treatment, hospitalizations and related specialty care that results from medical and dental problems left untreated.”

The Children’s Clinic is a private, not-for-profit agency that provides medical and dental care to North Country children, many of whom are uninsured or underinsured. The organization’s mission is to overcome barriers to ensure that all children have access to healthcare. The Senator secured the funding to enable the clinic to continue its vital community services.

“The North Country Children’s Clinic is a key player in providing affordable, quality health care to children and families throughout the region,” Sen. Aubertine said. “The need here is very real and the clinic has demonstrated time and time again that this funding is an investment in the community. Aileen and her staff have done great work in this community and this funding will enable them to continue.”

The funding was administered through the New York State Department of Health. Since 2002, the Senator has worked in Albany to secure $1.5 million in legislative grants and provided support for additional funding to enable the clinic to maintain its vital role as a health care provider within the region. By providing preventative care, the clinic reduces the need for more expensive acute and emergency care that falls to Medicaid.

“We are most appreciative of the support Senator Aubertine has given, and continues to give, to North Country Children’s Clinic” says Paul Kraeger, President NCCC Board of Directors “The Senator’s hard work to secure this funding is indicative of the priority he places on the welfare of the North Country’s most vulnerable children.”

In 2009, 14,600 individuals made 45,000 visits to the Children’s Clinic’s medical, dental and mental health programs. More than 70 percent of those visits were made by families who were uninsured, underinsured or covered by public insurance.

“In these difficult economic times, when grant revenue is scarce, it is critically important that this funding go to organizations such as the Children’s Clinic, local fire department and other groups which provide real and tangible benefits for the community,” the Senator continued. “This investment saves money for the state in the long run and I am proud to have been able to support the Children’s Clinic over the years.”

Additional information about North Country Children’s Clinic and its programs is available at www.childrens-clinic.org.

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