CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ANNOUNCES $6.2 MILLION TO EXPAND & IMPROVE PRIMARY CARE SERVICES AT CONNECTICUT COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and leader of the Senate Democrats’ #ACAWorks campaign, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and U.S. Representatives John Larson (CT-1), Joe Courtney (CT-2), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Jim Himes (CT-4), and Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) announcement that Community Health Centers around Connecticut will receive over $6.2 million in funding from the Affordable Care Act to expand and improve primary care services. The awards include $3,720,998 to increase access to comprehensive services such as medical, oral, behavioral, pharmacy, and vision care to over 12,000 new patients. The funds also include $2,479,370 for infrastructure improvements, including facility renovation, expansion, or construction to increase patient and service capacity.

“The Affordable Care Act is working in Connecticut because of the amazing efforts of community health centers to expand access to primary care. The more people that have access to preventative care, the more money we save on crisis care. This funding will make sure that Connecticut continues to lead the nation in the successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act,” Murphy said.

Blumenthal said, “Community health centers are on the front lines of public health, providing life-saving and live-changing primary care to families most in need. These sizable grants will expand services and enable centers to treat more patients-- a powerful recognition of the important work these health centers do every day across Connecticut.”

“This is great news for the Charter Oak Health Center, First Choice Health Centers, and the other clinics across the state. Nothing is more important than the health and wellbeing of our communities. With these grants, our health centers will be able to fund the renovations, upgrades, and expansions they need to continue providing the very best care to those who need it most,” Larson said.

Courtney said, "Community health centers are on the front lines of the effort to promote health and wellness through access to affordable, quality health care and social services. These grants will help thousands of eastern Connecticut families who receive quality health care at community health centers."

“The awards announced today will ensure Connecticut’s most vulnerable patients have greater access to high-quality health care,” DeLauro said. “Community Health Center, Inc.; Cornell Scott Hill Health Corporation and Fair Haven Community Health Clinic have provided top-notch, affordable care to Connecticut families for decades. I congratulate them on winning these grants, which are a tribute to the hard work and dedication of all their employees.”

“CHC’s like the Norwalk Community Health Center and Optimus Health Care and Southwest Community Health Center in Bridgeport serve thousands of 4th District residents who might not be able to get medical care anywhere else,” said Himes. “By increasing access to regular and preventative care for the people of Connecticut, we can prevent some of the worst health outcomes down the road, saving lives and limited resources in the health care system.”

“These federal funds will allow for the expansion of critical services that benefit our communities in Danbury, Torrington, and Waterbury,” Esty said. “I commend Secretary Burwell for her continued support for health centers in communities across Connecticut, and I am confident that these funds will improve primary care services in our state so that these centers can continue successfully delivering high-quality care to those most in need.”

A full list of awards follows:

FY2015 Expanded Services Awards

FY2015 Health Infrastructure Investment Program Awards