$5 Million in
Stimulus Funds for Vermont Health Centers
WASHINGTON, June 29 –Eight community health centers in Vermont will receive
almost $4.9 million in economic stimulus funds to address immediate and
pressing facility and equipment needs.
“We are finally making real progress in addressing the
primary health care crisis in our country,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders
(I-Vt.), who has spearheaded a dramatic expansion of health centers in
Vermont
and across the country.
“With 60 million Americans not having regular access
to a doctor, we have a major shortage of primary health care physicians,
dentists, nurses and other medical personnel,” Sanders added. “The good
news is that Congress is beginning to address that crisis by doubling
the amount of money going to community health centers and tripling the
amount of money for the National Health Service Corps, which will
substantially increase the number of primary health care doctors,
dentists and nurses. We have a long way to go but we are beginning to
make some progress.”
The $4.9 million is Vermont’s latest allotment from $2
billion that was set aside for Federally Qualified Health Centers in the
economic recovery bill that Congress passed last February 13. A member
of the Senate health committee, Sanders helped take the lead in doubling
funding under the stimulus bill for health centers.
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said, “Community health
centers are an invaluable component of providing health care especially
in rural areas like much of
Vermont. As we engage in a national
debate around truly reforming our health care system, our community
health centers are providing Vermonters patient-centered care that will
continue as we move forward. These funds from the economic
recovery plan will direct resources to our eight centers to help them
reach more Vermonters and make vital upgrades to their facilities and
equipment.”
Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said, “As Congress debates
the best way to reform the nation’s health care system, one thing is
clear: we must ensure Vermonters have access to quality, local health
services. These recovery funds will help our community health centers
provide critical services to Vermonters who need them most. By investing
in these centers, we are investing in Vermonters’ health.”
The Vermont grants include $877,690 for Community
Health Centers of The Rutland Region in Bomoseen; $485,900 for Little
Rivers Health Care of Bradford; $699,995 for Community Health Center of
Burlington; $717,500 for Community Health Services of the Lamoille
Valley in Morrisville; $462,310 for The Health Center of Plainfield;
$519,220 for the Richford Health Center in Richford; $881,820 for
Northern Counties Health Care in St. Johnsbury, and $250,000 for
Springfield Medical Care Systems in Springfield.
The centers provide affordable primary care, dental
care, mental health services and low-cost prescription drugs. A
cost-effective alternative to hospital emergency rooms, community health
centers offer basic services like prenatal care, childhood immunizations
and cancer screenings. Open to everyone, the centers care for patients
covered by Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance as well as those who
have no insurance.
The Vermont
grants are part of $851 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act capital improvement program grants. The grants will
support the construction, repair and renovation of over 1,500 health
centers nationwide. More than 650 centers will use the funds to purchase
new equipment or health information technology systems, and nearly 400
health centers will adopt and expand the use of electronic health
records.
In an earlier round of stimulus funds for
Vermont, the eight community health centers
shared more than $1.5 million to expand services and create jobs.
Separately, Springfield Hospital
earlier this year was awarded $1.3 million to become Vermont’s eighth Federally Qualified Health
Center. With that addition, health centers will provide primary health
care to more than 100,000 Vermonters regardless of their ability to pay.
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