MIKULSKI ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $4 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO INCREASE ACCESS TO MARYLAND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS AND KEEP FAMILIES HEALTHY

The funds will be used by 14 community health centers across the state for expanded services and construction.

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Vice Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today announced that, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 14 community health centers across Maryland have been awarded a combined total of $4,161,916 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to increase access to health care services in Maryland. Community health centers provide comprehensive, high quality primary and preventive care to Americans in rural and urban communities, who otherwise may face hurdles in accessing basic health care services.

“Community health centers provide an important safety net for the people who need it most,” Senator Mikulski said. “During the debate over health reform, I fought to end the punitive practices of health insurance companies, but I also fought to expand access to needed health care services. These funds, which we included in the Affordable Care Act, will help families in under-served neighborhoods have access to quality, reliable care in their own communities. I will continue to fight for the health and well-being of Maryland families with a government on their side.”

The funds will be used to increase access to health care services as well as for construction and renovation projects that increase patient capacity or provide additional comprehensive primary and preventative health services. The funding is part of a larger announcement of $500 million awarded nationwide through HHS’ Health Center Program.

Since the beginning of 2009, health centers have expanded access to care to an additional six million patients, serving nearly 23 million people each year. Today, more than 1,300 health center grantees operate approximately 9,000 sites in every state and U.S. territory.

The following organizations in Maryland received federal funds:

Anne Arundel County: - $244,838

• Owensville Primary Care, Inc. - $244,838

Baltimore City: $1,594,070

• Baltimore Medical System, Inc. - $350,814
• Chase Brexton Health Services, Inc. - $327,338
• Health Care For the Homeless - $267,334
• Parkwest Health Systems, Inc. - $275,184
• Total Health Care, Inc. - $373,400

Cecil County - $250,614

• West Cecil Health Center, Inc. - $250,614

Montgomery County - $346,608

• Community Clinic, Inc. - $346,608

Prince Georges County - $286,484

• Greater Baden Medical Services, Inc. - $286,484

Eastern Shore: $658,727

Caroline County - $315,456

• Choptank Community Health System, Inc. - $315,456

Wicomico County - $343,270

• Three Lower Counties Community Services, Inc. - $343,270

Western MD - $780,576

Garrett County - $246,508

• Western Maryland Health Care Corporation - $246,508

Washington County – $534,068

• Tri-State Community Health Center (Hancock) - $280,004
• Walnut Street Community Health Center (Hagerstown) - $254,064