Nearly $1 billion in American Rescue Plan funds will renovate health centers 

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded nearly $1 billion in American Rescue Plan funding to support major healthcare construction and renovation projects at health centers. 

The funds will go to the nearly 1,300 Health Resources and Services Administration Health Center Program-funded health centers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Health centers will use this funding for COVID-19-related capital needs, constructing new facilities, renovating and expanding existing facilities to enhance response to pandemics, and purchasing new equipment, including telehealth technology, mobile medical vans and freezers to store vaccines, HHS said. 

The funds will be awarded to health centers that serve medically underserved and other vulnerable populations and communities, which are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and other health conditions. By constructing new facilities or renovating and expanding existing facilities, health centers will ensure that these communities will have more equitable access to high-quality primary healthcare.  

More than 91% of health center patients are individuals or families living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and nearly 63% are racial/ethnic minorities.

The awards are expected to strengthen primary healthcare infrastructure and advance health equity and health outcomes in medically underserved communities, including through projects that support COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccination. The awards were made through the Health Resources and Services Administration.

THE LARGER TREND

On March 11, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law. The $1.9 trillion package represented the third round of economic impact payments approved by Congress to help ease the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Democrats are now looking to approve a $550 billion infrastructure bill. A larger $3.5 trillion social safety net and climate change bill is getting push-back from Democratic moderates. Pelosi has said the House would vote on both the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which has already passed the Senate, and the massive social benefits package, according to The Hill.

But on Monday, Pelosi told Democrats that passage of the $550 billion infrastructure bill must not wait for President Biden's multi-trillion-dollar safety-net bill, saying the larger package is not yet ready for a vote, according to NBC.

ON THE RECORD

"Health centers are lifelines for many of our most vulnerable families across the country, especially amidst the pandemic," said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. "Thanks to American Rescue Plan funds, we're modernizing facilities across the country to better meet the most pressing public health challenges associated with COVID-19. This historic investment means we get to expand access to care for COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccination – all with an eye towards advancing equity."

"HRSA-funded health centers play a vital role in the local community response to the COVID-19 pandemic," said HRSA Acting Administrator Diana Espinosa. "Investing in health center construction and modernization will significantly increase access to affordable, high-quality primary health care services in underserved communities across the nation."
 
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com