Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has made available up to $335 million for community health centers across the country under the Expanded Services initiative.
The funding, made possible by the Affordable Care Act, will be used to increase access to preventive and primary healthcare, including dental and behavioral health, pharmacy, vision and enabling services at existing health centers.
"Prevention and primary care are integral parts of the Affordable Care Act and these new funds will have a significant impact on the healthcare status of those most in need across the nation," Sebelius said in an Oct. 26 press release.
The Affordable Care Act provides $11 billion in funding over the next five years for the operation, expansion and construction of health centers throughout the nation. Of that sum, $9.5 billion is designated for creating new health center sites in medically underserved areas and expanding preventive and primary healthcare services at existing sites.
An additional $1.5 billion will support major construction and renovation projects at health centers nationwide. This expansion will help community health centers serve nearly double the number of patients, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay, according to government officials.
"We are committed to improving the overall health and wellness of our nation's underserved communities and the Expanded Services grants are a step in the right direction," said Health Resources and Services Administration Administrator Mary Wakefield. "These new investments will allow existing health centers to improve and expand vital primary healthcare services and continue to meet the increased demand for services."
Health centers requesting ES funds must demonstrate how the money would be used to expand medical capacity and services to underserved populations in their service areas.
Grant application information is available online.