For Immediate Release
March 13, 2020
Contact: Toni Granato, New Jersey Primary Care Association (NJPCA) Communications Coordinator, (609) 689-9930 ex. 19
False COVID-19 Message via Internet Blogsite
NJPCA would like to address false information relating to Federally Qualified Health Centers’ ability to provide free COVID-19 tests.
FQHCs in New Jersey as well as other states have become aware of a very odd and inaccurate message about Health Center free testing links on a variety of sites, some federal and some non-federal including via dealsfinders.blog: https://dealsfinders.blog/12/where-to-get-covid-19-test-in-united-states/.
Some Health Centers have had members of the public walk into their site asking for a ‘free COVID-19 test’. Members of the public referenced the blog posting with the expectation they could receive the ‘free COVID-19 test’. However, the patient must meet specific criteria for the screening and test and not all New Jersey FQHCs have access to tests.
NJPCA is working to address this false information with our state and federal partners.
About the New Jersey Primary Care Association
The New Jersey Primary Care Association (NJPCA) is an advocate for Community Health Centers as well as a provider of comprehensive education, training, and technical assistance to Health Centers in New Jersey. NJPCA represents 23 Federally Qualified Health Centers and their 133 satellite sites providing healthcare services to 561,975 people in New Jersey. For more information about NJPCA, please visit njpca.org.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), also known as Community Health Centers, are in every state across the nation. FQHCs are authorized under Section 330(A) of the Public Health Services Act to provide healthcare to the medically underserved. Many Community Health Centers and their sites are specially designated to serve the needs of special populations including homeless populations, public housing residents, migrant and seasonal farm workers, veterans and school-aged children. For more information about the HRSA Health Center Program, please visit bphc.hrsa.gov/about/index.html.
