Long Island City is now home to a new health center bringing affordable services to the growing population of Queens.
Planned Parenthood of New York City (PPNYC) celebrated on Monday the ribbon cutting of its first Queens health and education center located at 21-41 45th Rd.
The state-of-the-art Diane L. Max Health Center, which officially opens in June, will provide a full range of sexual and reproductive health services.
“We’re thrilled to be opening the doors of this beautiful new health center to the Queens community,” said Joan Malin, president and CEO of PPNYC. “Queens represents the future of this city, and we’re so excited to be a part of this remarkable borough. Come June, Queens residents will have increased access to the high-quality, confidential sexual and reproductive health care services they need, regardless of their income or immigration status.”
The 14,000-square-foot patient-centered facility will have services that include birth control, gynecological care, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy testing and options counseling, and abortion services.
PPNYC anticipated the new Queens center, once fully operational, will serve 17,500 clients per year. The location will also offer on-site health insurance enrollment through Medicaid and the New York State of Health Marketplace.
“This new center is a very big step for us. It puts Planned Parenthood in every borough and keeps New York City at the forefront of reproductive health care,” said Diane L. Max, PPNYC board chair. “The Queens center helps ensure that all New Yorkers, no matter where they live, can access the reproductive health care they need.”
The health center will have a bilingual staff and interpretation services, as well as translated materials for non-English-speaking clients. In its education center, the location will offer education and training for youth, adults and professionals, and has a community space open to PPNYC’s partners for education, training and advocacy events.
“For over five years, I have worked to help bolster quality affordable health care options in western Queens. Planned Parenthood’s new facility introduces a trusted health care provider into a growing community that needs affordable health care providers,” Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer said. “I welcome Planned Parenthood to the community and look forward to working together to improve the quality of life for all Queens residents.”
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