HRSA Announces $39 Million in Grants to Expand, Improve Health Cente...( ROCKVILLE Md. Sept. 5 -- The Hea...),Health

ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) today announced $39 million in grants to increase and improve medical services at the nation's health centers.

"These grants continue President Bush's historic expansion of the health center network, whose services now reach more economically vulnerable and geographically isolated Americans than ever before," HRSA Administrator Elizabeth M. Duke said. "In 2007, more than 16 million medically underserved people were served by health centers, up from 10 million patients served in 2001, and these funds will continue that trend."

A total of 168 grants worth more than $30 million will give existing health centers the funds to add new or increase existing mental health/substance abuse, oral health or pharmacy services. Grants worth $8.8 million will allow 19 current health center grantees to expand services by adding new medical providers or medical services or by staying open longer.

Additionally, 26 planning grants worth over $2 million will be distributed to organizations in areas without health centers to help them develop new service delivery sites. New health center sites must meet federal requirements for governance, community involvement, quality of care and financial feasibility.

HRSA manages the Health Center Program, which funds a national network of more than 1,000 community, migrant, homeless and public housing health center grantees. These organizations provide health care at more than 7,000 sites ranging from large medical facilities to clinics and mobile vans.

The grant awards are listed on-line: http://newsroom.hrsa.gov/releases/2008/expandedcapacity.htm

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for improving acces
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