Vermont Health
Centers Get $1.5 Million in Stimulus Funds
WASHINGTON, March 27 – In another round of economic
stimulus funds for Vermont,
eight community health centers in the state will receive more than $1.5
million to expand services and create jobs.
“This is one of the most significant steps forward
that we have seen in decades in addressing the primary health care
crisis in our country,” Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said of the
funds, part of $2 billion for Federally Qualified Health Centers
included at his urging in the economic recovery bill that Congress
passed on February 13. Health centers provide affordable primary care,
dental care, mental health services and low-cost prescription drugs.
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said community health
centers are part of Vermont’s health care
infrastructure. “Rural areas like much of Vermont depend on these vital community-based
resources to ensure the availability of local dependable health care
services. Even so, some Vermonters are still without a regular
source of care. With this timely addition of funds from the
economic recovery plan,
Vermont’s eight Community Health Centers can
reach more Vermonters during these difficult economic times.”
“Vermont’s community health care centers have
played an extraordinary role in ensuring that Vermonters can see a
doctor when they need medical attention,” said Congressman Peter Welch
(D-Vt.). “This additional funding will help health centers reach more
patients with quality services, which is all the more important as
Vermonters continue to struggle in this difficult economy.”
The Vermont grants include $229,967 for Community
Health Centers of The Rutland Region in Bomoseen; $157,958 for Little
Rivers Health Care of Bradford; $294,562 for Community Health Center of
Burlington; $192,281 for Community Health Services of the Lamoille
Valley in Morrisville; $146,390 for The Health Center of Plainfield;
$164,980 for the Richford Health Center in Richford; $254,463 for
Northern Counties Health Care in St. Johnsbury, and $100,000 for
Springfield Medical Care Systems in Springfield.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
released the Vermont
grants as part of $338 million distributed nationwide to expand services
offered at the nation’s community health centers.
In an earlier round of funds released under the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,
Springfield
Hospital
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.
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 National Association of Community Health Centers last night gave
Sanders its 2009 Distinguished Community Health Champion Award, citing
his “dedication and leadership…to preserve, strengthen and expand access
to quality health care.”
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