New Community Health Centers

Almost 130 organizations across the country will be able to become community health centers with money made available by the Affordable Care Act and awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The HHS will be awarding a total of $10 million to entities seeking to provide a more comprehensive range of primary health care services and/or expand their services. These organizations include those targeting mental health, HIV/AIDS services, faith-based initiatives and Tribal/Urban Indian health.

“Supporting the development of new community health centers will help us meet the health care needs of millions while supporting local jobs and economic growth in communities nationwide,” HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement.

The funding will assist the centers in providing care for some of the nation’s most vulnerable populations and potentially create jobs in the future for these communities. In general community centers are a source of local employment and economic growth.

According to HHS, health centers have added more than 18,600 new full-time positions since 2009 in many economically distressed communities.

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The Health Center Planning Grants help organizations plan to become health centers,” said HRSA Administrator Mary K. Wakefield Ph.D., R.N., in a statement. “These awards demonstrate HRSA’s commitment to expanding access to quality preventive and primary health care in high need areas across the country.”

Visit here to see Health Center Planning Grants.