In a resilient stride against looming governmental budget constraints, APLA Health's Long Beach facility has unveiled its enticing expansions, casting a beacon of hope for the LGBTQ+ community and those affected by HIV in the region. The clinic, which now boasts 18 exam rooms, an upgraded laboratory, dedicated blood drawing stations, a state-of-the-art dental clinic, as well as gender health and PrEP services, heralded its grand "re-opening" on Friday, enriching its capacity to serve the community more extensively than before, as reported by ABC7.
This momentous expansion of the APLA Health Center in Long Beach not only signifies a tripling in size from its original six exam rooms to its current 18, but it also magnifies the fears surrounding potential federal healthcare funding cuts. Brad Miyasato, a donor who began as a volunteer with APLA four decades ago, reminisced about a time when the dental clinic was just a trailer in West Hollywood, and now, witnessing the growth first-hand, according to statements obtained by ABC7. Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson championed the facility, praising its full-service healthcare offerings that steadfastly welcome all, irrespective of identity and insurance status, a necessity he underscored given the dwindling government funding backdrop.
Compassion-packed and ready to serve, APLA Health confirmed its dedication to inclusive care through a heartfelt Instagram post, calling out to the community it intends to support. The post detailed the array of services on offer: primary care, HIV specialty care, mental health support, dental care, sexual health services, gender services, and HIV support services, with a gracious nod to the Long Beach Mayor, community leaders, and attendees of the day's celebratory event. The mission was to provide unwavering care for the underserved, LGBTQ+ folks, and those living with HIV, as seen on APLA Health's Instagram.
Craig E. Thompson, CEO of APLA Health, reminded us of the transformative time during the Obama administration when Medicaid expansion paved the way for unprecedented health care coverage, welcoming millions of Californians, including for the first time low-income LGBTQ+ individuals, people living with HIV and many others, a legacy that the expanded APLA Health Center in Long Beach proudly upholds according to a statement obtained by ABC7. Clinic Director Norma Albarran echoed the sentiment, describing the clinic as a "home" for those it serves, reflecting the emotional bond and responsibility APLA Health has fostered with its patients over the years.
Operating five days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the APLA Health Center in Long Beach stands not merely as a medical facility but as a bastion for comprehensive and dignified healthcare, all while the future of such vital federally supported services hangs in unsteady limbo. In embracing expansion amid fiscal adversity, APLA Health has shown a profound commitment to health equity, one that Miyasato too underscores, saying, "We are glad to support the mission of APLA Health. This is my community," in a statement obtained by ABC7, proudly bridging the gap between past commitments and future aspirations.
