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In less than 30 days, school-based health centers are set to transition into Medicaid managed care, following a September 2024 state directive. This transition threatens the viability of this essential child safety net, and we urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to stop this April 1 transition and keep school-based health centers in the Medicaid fee-for-service model.

The 250 school-based health centers throughout the state provide basic health care for over 250,000 children and adolescents in our most underserved communities, including primary, dental, mental health, vision and reproductive health care services. They provide unparalleled access to care because they meet children where they spend much of their days — in schools. This helps to keep kids healthy and in school while increasing academic progress and graduation rates.

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