Sebelius releases $25.7M for health center services
Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius has released more than $25.7 million in grants to increase support services at U.S. health centers.
“With more than 14.5 million Americans out of work, and 47 million without health insurance, the health centers are seeing more patients now than ever before,” Sebelius said.
Overseen by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at HHS, the health center system served more than 17 million medically underserved people in 2008, up from 10 million patients served in 2001, according to the agency. Since the economic downturn began, the health center patient population has grown by another one million people. By law, patients are accepted regardless of their ability to pay.
A total of 180 grants worth more than $21.9 million will give existing health centers the funds to add or increase mental health/substance abuse programs, enable outreach transportation and provide for case management services, oral health services or pharmacy services. Also, 48 planning grants totaling more than $3.8 million will be distributed to organizations in depressed areas that do not have health centers to help them develop new service delivery sites. New health center sites must meet federal requirements for governance, community involvement, quality of care and financial feasibility.
HRSA’s health center program funds a national network of more than 1,100 community, migrant, homeless and public housing health center grantees. The organizations provide healthcare at more than 7,500 clinical sites, ranging from large medical facilities to mobile vans. In 2009, more than $2.1 billion was appropriated to support the health center program.
“With more than 14.5 million Americans out of work, and 47 million without health insurance, the health centers are seeing more patients now than ever before,” Sebelius said.
Overseen by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at HHS, the health center system served more than 17 million medically underserved people in 2008, up from 10 million patients served in 2001, according to the agency. Since the economic downturn began, the health center patient population has grown by another one million people. By law, patients are accepted regardless of their ability to pay.
A total of 180 grants worth more than $21.9 million will give existing health centers the funds to add or increase mental health/substance abuse programs, enable outreach transportation and provide for case management services, oral health services or pharmacy services. Also, 48 planning grants totaling more than $3.8 million will be distributed to organizations in depressed areas that do not have health centers to help them develop new service delivery sites. New health center sites must meet federal requirements for governance, community involvement, quality of care and financial feasibility.
HRSA’s health center program funds a national network of more than 1,100 community, migrant, homeless and public housing health center grantees. The organizations provide healthcare at more than 7,500 clinical sites, ranging from large medical facilities to mobile vans. In 2009, more than $2.1 billion was appropriated to support the health center program.