Thompson visits new health center building

Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, dropped in at the soon-to-be completed new home of the Sonoma Valley Community Health Center on Tuesday, and got a close-up look at the facility that a $5 million grant, secured under provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), made possible.

“Without the Affordable Care Act we would not have this building,” said Health Center CEO Cheryl Johnson. “Without Congressman Thompson, we would not be standing here.”

Purchase of the 18,621-square-foot building on Highway 12 opposite Maxwell Farms shopping center, was made possible in part by the $5 million federal grant. The new facility, which is scheduled to open July 28, will have a complete dental clinic, separately accessible in the same building.

The building will also have classroom space, a lab room where blood can be drawn on premises (for the first time), a variety of resources and healthcare strategies for addressing diabetic patients. Additionally, the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program services, currently housed near the Sheriff’s Valley substation on Grove Street, will move into space at the health center, making it possible for center staff to more easily support the needs of low-income, pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding postpartum women.

Speaking of the importance of ACA funds for community health centers, Thompson said, “There’s not a clinic in the state that hasn’t benefitted. The citizens of the Valley are going to benefit. It’s not business as usual anymore.”