State Senator James Seward announced Friday that the 2013-2014 state budget includes, at his insistence, $150,000 to establish a Bassett Healthcare Network school-based health center at Richfield Springs Central School.

The $150,000 in state funding will provide about half of the money needed to establish the school-based health program. Once the remainder of funding is secured, Bassett will apply for state approval of a school-based health program in Richfield and recruit providers. It is hoped a program could be established by the fall of 2014.

Bassett’s school-based health program currently provides primary, dental and mental health care to nearly 7,500 students in 19 schools in four counties: Otsego, Delaware, Chenango and Schoharie.

No family ever pays out-of-pocket for services provided in the school-based health centers. If the student has insurance, Bassett will bill the student’s health insurance for the services provided and may help the student enroll in Child Health Plus or Medicaid.

Visit bassett.org to learn more about school-based health and the Bassett Healthcare Network.

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