House Approves Five-Year Reauthorization of Community Health Center Program

The House on Oct. 16 voted 392-5 to approve a compromise bill (S 1533) that would reauthorize the federal community health center program for another five years, CongressDaily/AM reports (CongressDaily/AM, 10/17). The measure merges a House bill (HR 3450) passed earlier this month with a measure approved by the Senate in April. The compromise bill would increase funding for community health centers to $1.3 billion, up from $802 million. The bill also would reauthorize the National Health Service Corps, allocating $146 million in scholarships and loan repayment incentives for health care workers who opt to provide medical care in underserved areas. The bill also would establish a $40 million grant program designed to improve the quality of care provided by rural and other small health care providers. In addition, the measure would allocate $50 million over five years to communities and health care provider groups to "develop or strengthen integrated health care delivery systems" (CQ Daily Monitor Midday Update, 10/16). A Senate vote on the measure was expected on Oct. 16 or Oct. 17 (CongressDaily/AM, 10/17).