Capps Announces Economic Recovery Grants of Over $1.3 Million to Expand Community Health Centers to Care for More Patients
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 31, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Congresswoman Lois Capps today announced that several Central and South Coast communities would receive over $1.3 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to expand Community Health Centers and care for more patients. The funding is part of $338 million in recovery funding that will be distributed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to community health centers nationwide in an effort to protect and expand services offered at community health centers. The funding is particularly critical during the economic downturn as community health centers across the country have seen increased demand for their services as more individuals lose their healthcare when they lose their job.
“This funding for vital healthcare services could not have come at a better time,” said Capps. “Across the Central and South Coasts our community health centers have been the first line of defense and support for folks hurt by this economic downturn. Unfortunately when someone loses their job and their healthcare coverage, they don’t stop getting sick. As our economy has gotten worse in recent months, these community health centers have seen the demand for their services sky rocket, yet the states and local communities haven’t been able to provide additional resources to meet this increased demand. This funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will help fill the gap and ensure that folks can continue to receive healthcare while they look for work and try to get back on their feet.”
The grants — titled Increased Demand for Services (IDS) grants — will be distributed to 1,128 federally qualified health center grantees. Health centers will use the funds over the next two years to create or retain approximately 6,400 health center jobs. Funding for the 23rd Congressional District includes:
· $961, 440 for Community Health Centers of the Central Coast
· $133,000 for the Ventura County Healthcare Agency
· $209,509 for the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department
“We are delighted with this increased funding for community health clinics,” said Michael Powers of the Ventura County Health Care Agency. “The funding will enhance the ability of our County Health Care system to provide access to community based, preventive care to the increasing numbers of new patients coming to our system who, as a result of the economic downturn, have lost their jobs or health insurance or both. We very much appreciate Congresswoman Capps’ leadership in strengthening the health care safety net just when our community needs it the most.”
Grantees submitted plans explaining how the IDS funds would be used. Strategies to expand services may include, but are not limited to, adding new providers, expanding hours of operations or expanding services. Health centers deliver preventive and primary care services to patients regardless of their ability to pay; charges for services are set according to income.
The IDS awards are the second set of health center grants provided through the Recovery Act. On March 2, President Obama announced grants worth $155 million to establish 126 new health centers. Those grants will provide access to health center care for 750,000 people in 39 states and two territories.
To see a list of grantees by state, go to http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/programs/hrsa/idsgawards.html.
To track the progress of HHS activities funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, please visit www.hhs.gov/recovery.
To track all federal funds provided through the ARRA, visit www.recovery.gov.
