Community Health Centers Front and Center

The HealthCare Connection (THCC) was just awarded $310,315 in grant funds from The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA ), signed into law February 17, 2009. This federal legislation provides $500 million in grants to support new service sites and areas, increase services at existing sites, and provide supplemental payments for spikes in uninsured populations to community health centers that receive operating grants under section 330 of the Public Health Services (PHS) Act.

Funds made available by the Recovery Act will support our nation’s health centers like THCC, in efforts to address the Increased Demand for Services (IDS) and to create or retain jobs in underserved communities over the next two years. This $310,315 in IDS funding awarded to THCC, the only safety net provider in Hamilton County outside Cincinnati city limits, will be used to expand medical and dental services and service capacity and reduce waiting times for appointments in all of our seven service sites. That expansion will include increased hours of operation: evenings, early mornings, and Saturdays. It will also provide for hiring providers (physicians and nurse practitioners) and other support staff such as nurses and medical assistants.

“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to couple the IDS funds with local funds to create greater access and better services for our patients,” commented CEO Dolores J. Lindsay. “There are many challenges before us, especially now, during these difficult economic times, as there are simply more needs than resources.” Mrs. Lindsay continued, “We are poised and eager to meet these challenges head on. THHC wants to extend our gratitude to both state and federal legislators who recognize the value of community health centers, described by some as a major part of the solution to health care reform. On behalf of the patients, board and staff of The HealthCare Connection, we applaud their efforts in enacting legislation that helps us help the community. We are determined to persevere, strengthen and expand.”