HHS Awards $19M in Grants to Community Health Centers
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson last week announced $19 million in grants to help community health centers provide a wider variety of health services in rural and inner-city communities. The 149 grants are part of the Consolidated Health Center Program, which provides funding to the nation's network of more than 3,300 health centers and clinics, which serve about 11 million low-income patients. The awards include:
- $11.1 million to 75 grantees in 31 states to establish or expand oral health services;
- $6.6 million to 67 grantees in 35 states to establish mental health and substance abuse services at centers that "demonstrate need for expanded capacity"; and
- $1.1 million to seven grantees in seven states to provide "comprehensive" pharmacy services through health center pharmacy networks.
Thompson said, "Health centers are the only source of health care available to many people in the communities that will benefit from these grants. By expanding vital services at health centers, these grants will markedly improve local residents' overall health and well being" (HHS release, 7/18).
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