Two Erie, Pa.-based community health centers have been awarded $500,000 by the GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of GE, to help increase access to quality healthcare.
As part of the GE Developing Health program, the grants will support the Community Health Net centers – The Daniel S. Snow, MD Health Center and Harborcreek Health Services – in providing increased access to healthcare in their communities.
[See also: $600M in ARRA funding to give 85 community health centers a boost.]
Developing Health is a three-year, $50 million GE program that aims to improve access to primary care in targeted underserved communities across the United States. The program aligns with GE’s healthymagination initiative, a commitment to reduce costs, improve quality and increase access in healthcare.
"A staggering number of 47 million people in the United States are uninsured or lack access to basic healthcare, and we are committed to providing services to the uninsured and underserved through grants and GE volunteering in the communities," said Bob Corcoran, president of the GE Foundation. “Both The Daniel S. Snow, MD Health Center and Harborcreek Health Services are well equipped to provide the necessary services and make a difference in their communities."
[See also: HHS releases $7.6M for health professionals in "high need" areas.]
“We pride ourselves in providing medical care to those who cannot afford it, regardless of their income or their insurance status,” said John Schultz, CEO of Community Health Net. “We are honored to be recognized by the GE Foundation for our efforts, and are excited about the prospect of providing increased access to care with the help of the Developing Health program.”
"Today, access to quality healthcare is one of the biggest challenges facing communities across the U.S.," said Mike Barber, vice president of GE healthymagination. "The city of Erie fares worse than the rest of the state of Pennsylvania on almost every major health indicator, including heart disease, infant mortality and asthma. The Daniel S. Snow, MD Health Center and Harborcreek Health Services exemplify the type of community centers who strive to help those in need of healthcare services, and we want to support those committed to delivering quality care through the Developing Health program.”
Developing Health is a partnership between GE Corporate Citizenship and the GE Corporate Diversity Council. The program builds on GE’s Developing Health Globally program. Launched in Africa in 2004, this philanthropic program now extends to 14 countries in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia. DHG aims to improve healthcare for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.