Senate Approves Funding for Community Health Centers
The Senate on Wednesday approved legislation (HR 1343) that would provide funding for community health centers, CQ Today reports. The bill would authorize $13.1 billion for the centers through fiscal year 2012. President Bush, who has touted the centers as a key resource for the uninsured, in his FY 2009 budget proposed a $27 million increase in funding for the centers to about $2.1 billion. The Senate measure would provide $2.2 billion in FY 2009, increasing to $3.3 billion in FY 2012. The Senate also approved an amendment to the bill that would reauthorize programs that encourage health providers to practice in medically underserved areas and health programs for rural areas. The bill now returns to the House (Wayne, CQ Today, 9/24).
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