HHS distributes $117 million to health centers in quality improvement awards
The awards recognize the highest performing health centers as well as those that have made significant quality improvements from the year before.
Health centers across the country are being recognized today by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Health Resources and Services Administration with quality improvement award grants totaling more than $117 million.
The 1,318 HRSA-funded health centers that receive the one-time grant will use it to further strengthen quality improvement activities, according to HHS.
The quality improvement awards recognize the highest performing health centers as well as those that have made significant quality improvements from the previous year.
There are various categories for which health centers can be awarded, including clinical quality improvers, health center quality leaders, national quality leaders, access enhancers, value enhancers, health disparities reducers, advancing health information technology for quality, and patient-centered medical home recognition.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Federally qualified health centers provide primary care services for underserved communities through funds from the HRSA Health Center Program.
They deliver care to about one in 11 people nationwide who are low-income, uninsured or face obstacles to getting healthcare, HRSA Administrator Tom Engles said in a statement.
"These awards will support health centers as they continue to be a primary medical home for communities around the country," he said. "Today, nearly 1,400 health centers operate nearly 13,000 service delivery sites nationwide."
During the COVID-19 pandemic, these centers have been on the frontlines, providing more than 3 million tests, according to HHS.
THE LARGER TREND
The quality improvement awards from last year supplied more than 1,200 health centers with nearly $107 million.
HHS recently announced another $107.2 million to 310 recipients to increase the health workforce in rural and underserved communities. The funds intend to provide financial and professional support to physicians, faculty, dentists, nurses and students as they pursue careers in healthcare settings.
ON THE RECORD
"These quality improvement awards support health centers across the country in delivering care to nearly 30 million people, providing a convenient source of quality care that has grown even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic," said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. "These awards help ensure that all patients who visit an HRSA-funded health center continue to receive the highest quality of care, including access to COVID-19 testing and treatment."
Twitter: @HackettMallory
Email the writer: mhackett@himss.org
