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Washington D.C—On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) granted over $2.1 million to expand medical capacity at five community health centers in Los Angeles County. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius also used this time to mark the first 100 Days of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and discussed its critical support for community health centers.
“The economic downturn is hurting all of us and when workers lose their jobs, they often lose their health insurance, too,” said Secretary Sebelius. “Community health centers provide essential care for families across the country that do not have insurance or cannot afford the high cost of care. The Recovery Act grants and the funding we have released are key investments that will help deliver care to millions of Americans.”
Los Angeles County Expanded Medical Capacity (EMC) awards ranged from $300,000 to $600,000; L.A. grantees included South Central Family Health Center, St. John’s Well Child & Family Center, Eisner Pediatric and Family Medical Center, Northeast Valley Health Corporation and East Valley Community Health Center. In California, HHS granted $7.8 million to 14 federally qualified health center organizations. While the grants released Thursday were non-Recovery Act grants, ARRA provides $2 billion for grants to health centers nationwide over a two-year period.
“While we’re thrilled about the EMC funding from the federal government, these and other clinics in Los Angeles are anticipating a severe impact from the proposed cuts to healthcare programs in Governor Schwarzenegger’s May Revise state budget proposal,” said Gloria Rodriguez, President and CEO of the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County. “The state budget will put these healthcare programs at risk, and have a detrimental impact on clinic revenue and the clinics’ ability to provide care to the low-income and uninsured patients they serve.”
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