Obama administration awards $67 million to support new sites and to expand access to health care at health centers
Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—September 13, 2013. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced awards of approximately $67 million to the nation’s health centers, including $19 million made available by the Affordable Care Act, to establish 32 new health service delivery sites. These new sites will increase access to preventive and primary health care to more than 130,000 additional people. Additionally, $48 million will be awarded to nearly 1,200 of the nation’s health centers to support ongoing operations and quality improvement activities.
“Health centers have a proven track record of success in providing high quality health care to those who need it most,” said Secretary Sebelius. “New health center sites in some of the neediest communities in the country will provide access to health care for individuals and families who otherwise may have lacked access to high quality, affordable and comprehensive primary care services.”
Today, approximately 1,200 health centers operate close to 9,000 service delivery sites that provide care to over 21 million patients in every State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Pacific Basin. Health centers are instrumental to the successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act, not only as providers of care but also in linking individuals to coverage through outreach and enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace.
“We welcome the addition of new sites and recognize the high level of service our current health centers are providing,” said HRSA Administrator Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N. “These funds will make a tremendous difference to individuals, families, and communities throughout the United States.”
Health Center New Access Point grants, listed by organization and state, are available at www.hrsa.gov/about/news/2013tables/newaccesspoints/.
Health Center base adjustments, listed by organization and state, are available http://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/2013tables/baseadjustments/.
To learn more about the Affordable Care Act, visit www.HealthCare.gov. To learn more about HRSA’s Health Center Program, visit http://bphc.hrsa.gov/about/index.html.
Source: hhs.gov
