HRSA Awards $22 Million in New Health Cen...( ROCKVILLE Md. Aug. 8 -- The Heal...),Health

ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Health Resources and Services Administration today announced more than $22 million in new health center grants to help people in need -- many with no health insurance -- obtain access to the comprehensive primary and preventive health care services that health centers provide.

"Everyone deserves quality health care," said HRSA Administrator Elizabeth Duke. "These awards will provide access to primary care, as well as pharmacy, preventive dental, mental health, prenatal care, and substance abuse services in communities that do not currently enjoy access to health center care."

The New Access Point grants will establish 42 new health center sites in 23 states, providing an estimated 160,000 Americans with health center services. The grants were awarded to health care organizations in areas where more primary medical care is needed. HRSA grants typically account for about 20 percent of a health center's total revenue. Medicare, Medicaid and other federal grants total about 45 percent of revenue; remaining operating funds come from state and local grants and foundations and from patient payments.

Health centers funded by HRSA represent more than 7,000 service delivery sites, including community health centers, migrant health centers, health care for the homeless centers and public housing primary care centers.

The grant awards are listed on-line at: http://newsroom.hrsa.gov/releases/2008/newaccesspoint.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 access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable. For more information about HRSA and its programs, visit http://www.hrsa.gov.