Community health gets fresh ACA funding
HHS base grant adjustments are the first for CHCs since 2009
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $67 million in Affordable Care Act funds to support community health centers, including $19 million to establish 32 new healthcare delivery sites.
According to HHS, the new care delivery sites will increase access to preventive and primary care to more than 130,000 additional people. Additionally, $48 million will be awarded to nearly 1,200 community health centers (CHCs) to support ongoing operations and quality improvement activities. The $48 million in base grant adjustments are the first for CHCs since 2009.
[See also: Community health centers are a good investment.]
“Health centers have a proven track record of success in providing high quality healthcare to those who need it most,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “New health center sites in some of the neediest communities in the country will provide access to healthcare for individuals and families who otherwise may have lacked access to high quality, affordable and comprehensive primary care services.”
Approximately 1,200 CHCs 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. HHS has maintained that CHCs are instrumental to the successful implementation of the ACA, because they can help link 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. “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 here.
Health Center base adjustments, listed by organization and state, are available here.
