Keywords
Citation
(2005), "HHS", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 18 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2005.06218aab.008
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
HHS
HHSHHS awards $49million to extend health care to more low-income, uninsured Americans
Keywords: Health and medicine, Insurance, Primary care, Community health centre
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced his intention to award 76 new health centre grants totalling $49 million that will help an estimated 488,000 Americans, including many without health insurance, to obtain comprehensive primary health care services. These grants continue President Bush’s five-year plan to help communities across the country create comprehensive health centres. Launched in 2002, President Bush’s initiative will add 1,200 new and expanded health centre sites and increase the number of people served annually from about 10 million to 16 million by 2006. Since 2002, HHS has funded nearly 700 new or expanded health centres.
“Nearly half a million Americans, who otherwise would have gone without health care, will soon have access to health care services in their community,” Secretary Thompson said. “These grants are all about bringing health care to the people who need it most, in the areas where it’s needed most.”
Health centres deliver preventive and primary care to patients regardless of their ability to pay. Almost 40 percent of the patients treated at health centres have no insurance coverage, and others have inadequate coverage. Charges for health care services are set according to income. HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) manages the Consolidated Health Centre Program, which funds a national network of more than 3,600 clinics comprised of community health centres, migrant health centres, health care for the homeless centres and public housing primary care centres. These canters served about 12.4 million people in 2003.
Awards will be made to grantees in December contingent upon the availability of fiscal year 2005 funds.
More information available at: www.hhs.gov/news/press/2004pres/20040202.html.