HHS announces $704,167 in Affordable Care Act funding to a new community health center in Massachusetts

HHS announces $704,167 in Affordable Care Act funding to a new community health center in Massachusetts

Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell announced today approximately $704,167 in Affordable Care Act funding to a new health center site in Massachusetts for the delivery of comprehensive primary health care services to the communities that need them most.  This new health center in Massachusetts is projected to increase access to health care services for nearly 3,150 patients.  Nationally, approximately $101 million was awarded to 164 new health center sites in 33 states and two U.S. Territories to increase access to health care services for nearly 650,000 patients. “The Affordable Care Act has led to unprecedented increases in access to health insurance.  Part of building on that progress is connecting people to the care they need,” said Secretary Burwell. “Health centers are keystones of the communities they serve in Massachusetts. Today’s awards will enable more individuals and families in Massachusetts to have access to the affordable, quality health care that health centers provide. That includes the preventive and primary care services that will keep them healthy.” Nationally, this investment announced today will add to the more than 550 new health center sites that have opened in the last four years as a result of the Affordable Care Act. Today, nearly 37 health centers operate more than 264 service delivery sites that provide care to nearly 659,521 patients in Massachusetts. Health centers have also been critical in helping Massachusetts residents sign up for health insurance through the Marketplace. Since 2013, health centers assisted more than 714,717 Massachusetts residents in their efforts to become insured. “More people have insurance in the United States than ever before,” said HRSA Acting Administrator Jim Macrae. “Health centers provide an accessible and dependable source of culturally competent primary care for many of the newly insured.” The recently enacted bipartisan Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act builds on this progress by extending  mandatory funding for health centers in fiscal years 2016 and 2017. To see a list of award winners, visit www.hrsa.gov/about/news/2015tables/newaccesspoints/. To learn more about the Affordable Care Act, visit www.HealthCare.gov. To learn more about HRSA’s Health Center Program, visit http://bphc.hrsa.gov/about/index.html. To find a health center in your area, visit http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.