Health centers get recovery funding


Thursday, April 2, 2009
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Health centers get recovery funding

Mississippi’s First Congressional District has been allocated $789,452 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to expand services offered at North Mississippi community health centers, Congressman Travis Childers announced last week.

Overall, Mississippi will receive $6.3 million.

“During these tough economic times, many hard working Americans find themselves and their families without health insurance due to job loss,” said Congressman Childers. “Health centers provide necessary care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay, and their services are in increased demand in the face of staggering unemployment rates. These Recovery Act funds will significantly expand health center services, allowing thousands of uninsured, hard working Mississippians to receive the care they need.”

These funds are part of a $338 million investment. The money was made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and comes as more Americans join the ranks of the uninsured.

Mississippi health centers will use the grants – titled Increased Demand for Services (IDS) grants – over the next two years to create or retain approximately 95 health center jobs.

Grantees submitted plans explaining how the IDS funds would be used. Strategies to expand services may include, but are not limited to, adding new providers, expanding hours of operations or expanding services. The funds will provide care to an additional 45,400 uninsured people in Mississippi.

Below is a list of funding for the First District: North Benton Health Care, Ashland, $217,022; Northeast Mississippi Health Care Inc., Byhalia, $247,123; Mantachie Rural Health Care Inc., Mantachie, $133,648; Access Family Health Services Inc., Smithville, $191,659.

Health centers deliver preventive and primary care services to patients regardless of their ability to pay; charges for services are set according to income.

To find a health center near you or to learn more about health centers, visit http://bphc.hrsa.gov/.

For more information on the First District’s and Mississippi’s share of Recovery Act funds, visit Congressman Childers’ North Mississippi Recovery Tracker at www.childers.house.gov.

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