Through President Obama’s $11 billion Affordable Care Act, the Department of Health announced grant awards that will help an estimated 1.3 million people going to local health centers across the nation. Often used by the uninsured and jobless to provide adequate care, over $700 million will go to 398 health center projects in 48 states.
The announcement was made by Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at Fairmount Primary Care Center in Philadelphia on Wednesday. “This investment will expand our ability to provide high-quality care to millions of people while supporting good paying jobs in communities across the country,” she said. Health Resources and Services Administration Administrator Mary Wakefield pointed out that two-thirds of the population served at community health centers are ethnic and racial minorities. And, over the last three years, there has been an increase of 2 million people served at them.
