Local towns could get medical treatment for finacially disadvantaged residents

New Hanover, North Havover townships could benefit

By:David Koch
   A push by Burlington County freeholders for federal dollars may make medical care available to financially disadvantaged residents in five county townships, including New Hanover and North Hanover townships.
   The Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders was expected to pass a resolution at their next meeting Wednesday to apply for federal designation of New Hanover, North Hanover, Pemberton Borough and Township, and Wrightstown as a "medically underserved population" (MUP).
   Designation as an MUP would allow these towns to receive federal funding for health care under the U.S. Department of Health and Senior Service’s Community Health Center Program, which received an additional $124 million in funding from President George W. Bush this year.
   The federal funds would eventually be used for the creation of a community health center to serve the five-town area in Burlington County, and even residents beyond, said Ralph Shromm, spokesperson for Burlington County freeholders.
   Patients at the community center would pay on a sliding scale depending on their income level.
   "The important thing is to get federal approval and the funding will follow," said Mr. Shromm.
   The proposed MUP designation is being spearheaded by Virtua Health Systems, a member of the Burlington County Health Assessment Advisory Group.
   The group is set up to inform freeholders on the quality of heath care throughout the county. With the help of a consulting firm, Reliance Executive Health Plan of Pleasantville, Virtua is preparing a study to show the possibility of designating the five Burlington County towns as an MUP.
   In order to earn MUP designation, data has to be collected on the infant mortality rate, senior citizen population, the number of residents with health insurance and the availability of health care services in the five-town region.
   "With the information they have gathered so far, it is certainly worthy of an application as a medically underserved area," said Walter Trommelen, public health coordinator for Burlington County.
   North Hanover Mayor Nancy Morrow said she believed there is a definite need for health care in the township, even though it has not been brought to the Township Committee’s attention.
   "We have a lot of low-income (residents) and quite a lot of elderly, so my immediate guess would be that we have a need for it," said Ms. Morrow.
   In order for the application process to move forward, all five towns in the proposed MUP area need to pass a resolution supporting the designation.
   The North Hanover Township Committee is expected to pass such a resolution at a workshop meeting tonight, said Township Clerk Elaine Hinkle.
   Ms. Hinkle said that the township has to vote on the matter by the end of the month. Once a resolution supporting the designation is approved by the five towns and the county, the application will then be up for state approval.
   If the application meets state approval, it will be sent to U.S. Department of Health and Senior Services within a couple of months, said Mr. Shromm.
   Mr. Shromm did say that it may take a while for the five-town area to receive an MUP designation from the federal government.
   "It could be two years before we actually get funding," said Mr. Shromm.