Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers Inc. said Tuesday that Assemblyman Cameron Smyth, R-Santa Clarita, has helped the local nonprofit medical services agency recoup more than $100,000 from the state’s Medi-Cal program.

The money was owed to the organization but was “previously held up in red tape,” Dixon Center officials said. “Because of the intervention of Smyth and his staff members on behalf of SDFHC, the state Med-Cal Office will reimburse SDFHC for all patient visits at its Val Verde Health Center covered under Medi-Cal from the time period of April 2010 to the present.”

They said the organization’s Val Verde clinic was “approved as a rural health center in April 2010, and all Medi-Cal managed care and regular Medi-Cal were to be paid at a negotiated rate based upon this status.

“Since April 2010, SDFHC did not receive any reimbursements from the Medi-Cal Office as agreed upon. Assemblyman Smyth’s office not only saw that SDFHC recouped the cost of services already provided, but has ensured that subsequent payments will be made in a timely fashion.”

Smyth said in a statement: “We are always happy to help nonprofits in the area that need some assistance with reaching the correct governmental agencies to help alleviate their situation, and this case was especially important to us because of SDFHC’s overall cause. Health care services are so vital to our community, and we are glad we could step in on behalf of the organization to help the greater health needs of the Santa Clarita Valley.”

Executive Director Cheryl Laymon said the revenue will help the organization provide patient care.

“We cannot be more grateful to Cameron Smyth and his entire staff for their assistance,” she said in a statement. “Their support has helped ensure that SDFHC is able to continue to provide much needed health care services in a time of great need.”

SDFHC operates three health centers in the Santa Clarita Valley—Canyon Country Health Center, Val Verde Health Center and Newhall Health Center—as well as outreach sites at College of the Canyons and California Institute of the Arts. SDFHC offers a full range of health care services—physicals, immunizations and vaccines, screenings and diagnostic tests, well baby care, and family planning—to those who may not seek health care elsewhere. Patients pay based on their income. This past year, SDFHC provided service for 11,000 patient visits. The organization was established in 1980 and named for long-time Val Verde resident and minister, the late Reverend Samuel Dixon. A not-for-profit community health center, SDFHC serves the greater Santa Clarita Valley, and is governed by a board of directors, all of whom are Santa Clarita residents. The mission of SDFHC is to enhance wellness by providing quality primary health care services and health education to unserved and underserved residents, with a special emphasis on serving the uninsured. Easily accessible services are available for the entire family in both English and Spanish. Medi-Cal, Blue Cross, Healthy Families and Healthy Way LA are all accepted, and a sliding fee scale is offered, keeping health care affordable for all. Services are available at the Val Verde Health Center (661-257-4008), the Canyon Country Health Center (661-424-1220) and the Newhall Health Center (661-291-1777). SDFHC is supported by countless individuals as well as corporate sponsors who help make affordable health care possible. Tax-deductible contributions are welcome.