Southwest Community Health Center’s Mollie Melbourne to Attend 2025 State of the Union Address

 Bridgeport, CT – Southwest Community Health Center (SWCHC) is honored to announce that Mollie Melbourne, President/CEO at SWCHC, will accompany Congressman Jim Himes to the 2025 State of the Union address in Washington, D.C. Ms. Melbourne’s attendance underscores the vital role that Community Health Centers play in delivering essential healthcare services to Connecticut’s most vulnerable populations.

Southwest Community Health Center provides a comprehensive range of services, including Medical, Dental, Behavioral Health, Nutrition, Chiropractic, Podiatry, WIC, and more. Annually, the organization serves approximately 30,000 individuals through over 150,000 visits, with 54% of its patients covered by Medicaid. Medicaid reimbursements account for approximately 77% of SWCHC’s patient revenue, making federal funding for Medicaid a critical component of its ability to provide high-quality, accessible care.

Across Connecticut, the state’s 17 Community Health Centers collectively serve approximately 440,000 patients each year, with roughly 60% of those patients covered by Medicaid. Community Health Centers serve as a healthcare lifeline for these populations, ensuring access to essential services regardless of financial status.

However, Health Centers nationwide are facing potential Medicaid funding cuts that could be devastating to the communities they serve. If implemented, these cuts could result in the reduction or elimination of critical services such as OB/GYN and Dental care, the discontinuation of mobile care services, staff layoffs, and even the closure of vital health center locations. The impact on patients would be profound, leading to:

• Limited access to preventative care, increasing the risk of undiagnosed chronic diseases.

• Loss of essential mental health services.

• Reduced chronic care management.

• Increased reliance on overcrowded Emergency Departments and Urgent Care centers, leading to significantly higher healthcare costs for vulnerable populations.

Ms. Melbourne’s presence at the State of the Union serves as a call to action, highlighting the urgent need to protect Medicaid funding and ensure that Community Health Centers can continue their mission of providing high-quality, affordable care to those who need it most.