Expanding Access to Affordable Health Care in Allentown
In the 1st Ward of Allentown, an area bordered by the Lehigh River, Jordan Creek, and railroad tracks, many residents face significant challenges in accessing affordable and convenient health care. Melissa M. Miranda, CEO of Neighborhood Health Centers of the Lehigh Valley, emphasizes that this community needs more support to ensure its residents can receive the medical and dental services they require.
The nonprofit organization has recently formed new partnerships with Cedar Crest College and Delta Dental, marking a major step forward in addressing these gaps. On Saturday, the collaboration was celebrated at the Neighborhood Health Centers’ facility on 160 Hamilton Street, where approximately 200 people attended. Among them were children laughing and, at times, crying, showing the impact of the new initiatives.
Cedar Crest College is contributing faculty and nursing students to expand the clinic’s hours, while Delta Dental has opened a community dentistry office on-site. These efforts are aimed at providing more comprehensive care to the underserved population in the area.
Mary Colon, president of the Community Health Center board, described the event as a symbol of the community's commitment to health and wellness. “This is a place where individuals can access compassionate, comprehensive, and affordable health care,” she said. “Affordable health care is our No. 1 priority.”
According to a Gallup Well-Being survey conducted as part of the Blue Zones Project-Allentown, Allentown lags behind the country in general health measures. The survey revealed that residents are more likely to report their health as fair or poor rather than excellent or good.
Cedar Crest College is offering nurse-practitioner students real-world experience in caring for neighborhood residents. The school has committed a minimum of $75,000 for faculty, extended clinic hours, telehealth medicine, and other services. Elizabeth M. Meade, president of Cedar Crest College, emphasized the importance of education, disease prevention, and restorative care in mitigating the effects of illness.
“The collaboration ensures care is accessible to all regardless of ability to pay or insurance,” Meade stated.
The event featured a variety of activities, including face painting, portrait drawing, and dental examinations. Families like the Villatoros and the Guzmans took advantage of the services provided. Yeni Villatoro watched as her son, Anderson, received a dental checkup, while Felix Guzman brought his son for a physical to attend school.
Arisol Cadena-Perez, who brought her daughter for care, expressed gratitude for the center’s services. She came to Allentown three years ago and relies on the center due to lack of insurance. Others, like Felix Guzman, used the opportunity to get their children caught up on vaccines and medical checkups.
Miranda shared that in 2024, the Neighborhood Health Center served about 10,000 people across five locations. This year, the nonprofit is expected to exceed that number, with one-third of clients being new patients. About one in three clients is uninsured, and 70% lack dental insurance, with these numbers increasing due to changes in Medicaid eligibility under the Trump administration.
Founded in 2004 by concerned residents, the Allentown-based Neighborhood Health Centers of the Lehigh Valley aims to provide coordinated primary care for uninsured or underinsured residents. It operates independently and is not affiliated with Lehigh Valley or St. Luke’s University health networks.
Saturday’s announcement coincided with the end of National Health Center Week, which recognizes the work of community health facilities. The event highlighted the importance of partnerships in improving access to health care for all.