Orange County rolls new mobile health unit

Orange County Health Commissioner Dr. Alicia Pointer and members of her staff along with Deputy County Executive Harry Porr and Legislators Pete Tuohy and Janet Sutherland unveiled the county’s new Mobile Health Unit with a ribbon-cutting event on April 24 in Goshen.

“One of the Health Department”™s main goals is to find innovative ways of connecting with and serving residents,” Pointer said. “With our Mobile Health Unit, we can reach residents wherever they might be; at senior centers, schools, or community events.”

Orange County’s new mobile health van was put on the road with a ribbon-cutting April 24.

The van was given the slogan “Health Grows Here.” It will make stops throughout the county, providing testing, immunizations, health screenings, outreach, and other services. The mobile unit is handicapped accessible. Funding for the van came from the federal government’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

President Biden had signed the $1.9 trillion ARPA on March 11, 2021. The federal stimulus bill was passed to aid public health and economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The plan included $350 billion in emergency funding for state, local, territorial and tribal governments.

In a statement, County Executive Steven Neuhaus said, “The Health Department”™s Mobile Health Unit will help ensure that residents throughout Orange County have access to important health screenings, immunizations, and treatment. It will be an asset to health care delivery in our communities and will address a variety of health issues, including prevention and education. Dr. Pointer and I share the priority of keeping county residents as healthy as possible and the ‘Health Grows Here’ van will immensely help.”