HHS Releases Millions for Community Health Centers
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday the release of millions more in aid for community health centers across the nation as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
Georgia is set to receive $7 million in Increased Demand Services (IDS) funds, which will be distributed to 28 federally qualified health centers across the state. Those centers will use the funds over the next two years to create or save 101 jobs and provide service to an additional 45,191 patients.
“More Americans are losing their health insurance and turning to health centers for care,” Health Resources and Services Administrator Mary Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N., said. “These grants will aid centers in their efforts to provide care to an increasing number of patients during the economic downturn.”
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.
The IDS funds are the second round of health center funds released through ARRA. On March 2, President Obama announced $155 million in grants for 126 new health centers nationwide. Those funds will provide access to health centers for 750,000 people in 39 states and two territories.