Newly-redistricted Congresswoman Linda Sanchez familiarized herself with her new territory last week by touring healthcare provider AltaMed’s Montebello clinic.

Sanchez’s visit coincided with National Health Clinics week. “Community health clinics are where it’s at. It’s where the rubber hits the road,” she told AltaMed officials who promoted the continuation of $3.1 billion in federal funding for health centers — the funding would expand services to 2.5 million more patients and adjust funding by 1.7 percent to meet growing healthcare costs.

Lea esta nota EN ESPAÑOL: Congresista Linda Sánchez Visita AltaMed en Montebello ^[1]

The in-person visit was also an opportunity to advocate for the 2013 reauthorization of the Ryan White Care Act, which funds services for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Sanchez provided an overview of the political climate in Washington D.C., saying that activity in the Republican-led House of Representatives has been even more snail-like than the notoriously slow moving Senate. With compromise becoming a dirty word, “it’s a very muddy road, and it’s hard to move things forward,” she said.

The Montebello clinic started off as a satellite of AltaMed’s Commerce clinic and this month became a fully operational clinic after becoming fully-licensed in July. They serve uninsured and underinsured patients, offering services that include family medicine, as well as care for expecting and new mothers, women’s health, and geriatric health services. They also specialize in care for people with digestive disorders. Last year they served 1,150 patients. The clinic is located in Garmar Plaza at 2231 W. Whittier Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640.

The city of Montebello is a new addition to the 39th District represented by Sanchez. She represents communities across Orange and Los Angeles counties, including Artesia, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, La Mirada, Whittier, Florence, Long Beach, Lynwood, Paramount, South Gate, Watts, and Willowbrook.