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SAC Health Hosted Congressman Pete Aguilar’s Press Conference Highlighting Critical Need and Support for Inland Empire Healthcare

  • Writer: Jemellee Ambrose
    Jemellee Ambrose
  • Mar 19
  • 2 min read

SAC Health, an FQHC teaching health center in San Bernardino, hosted Representative

Pete Aguilar as he emphasized the importance of federally-funded, life-saving healthcare programs in the Inland Empire.


by: SAC Health News & Media Staff


SAN BERNARDINO, CA —March 19, 2024—On Tuesday, March 18, SAC Health, a health center that serves Medi-Cal and Medicare patients, hosted Rep. Pete Aguilar as he brought attention to the critical need to continue funding for Medi-Cal and Medicare that millions of people rely on for basic and life-saving healthcare needs.

 

Representative Pete Aguilar, U.S. House of Representatives, started the press conference and was joined by Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., San Bernardino County Fifth District; Dr. Maryellen Westerberg, SAC Health, Chief Operations Officer; Kristy Leuthner, SAC Health Mobile Clinic Manager; and SAC Health Patient Michael Jones McCray.

 

Quotes from yesterday’s press conference:

 

“In 2022, I was proud to help secure $375,000 in federal funding for the Mobile Health Clinic…just so we know, and we can make healthcare closer to people in their communities, in their neighborhoods so that they can get the care that they need,” said Rep. Aguilar. “Medi-Cal isn’t a handout, it’s an essential lifeline for our hospitals, our children, and our seniors.”

 

“Any shortfall for clinics like SAC Health, community health clinics or federally qualified health centers…might find themselves being able to provide fewer services, having reduced clinic hours, and just reducing the access that patients would have to the kind of care that we can provide, said Maryellen Westerberg, DrPH, SAC Health COO. “In addition, we may have to provide fewer specialty services…those are critical for our patients.”

 

“Medical Mobile Units play a crucial role in expanding access to healthcare, especially for underserved and vulnerable populations. And by bringing healthcare services directly into communities, these units help bridge significant gaps in care,” said Kristy Leuthner, SAC Health Mobile Clinic Manager

 

SAC Health patient Michael Jones McCray was emotional as he shared his story and how SAC Health has been his medical provider for 17 years. He ended by simply saying, “I know for a fact that if we didn’t have Medicaid, I wouldn’t be here today.”









Photo from left:

  1. SAC Health patient, Michael Jones McCray shares his healthcare journey as a Medicaid recipient.

  2. Rep. Pete Aguilar speaks with SAC Health patient, Michael Jones McCray.

  3. Dr. Maryellen Westerberg, SAC Health COO explains how a reduction in funding would affect community clinics like SAC Health and its ability to provide life-saving care for patients.

  4. Kristy Leuthner, SAC Health Mobile Clinic Manager shares the role of mobile clinics in providing care to the disadvantaged or vulnerable populations in the community.


 

For more information or inquiries regarding this story:

Media Contact: Jemellee Ambrose E-mail: jem@jpacmedia.com     Phone: 909 214 4642


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