WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that three community health centers were awarded $15,253,170 to expand access to quality health care in Chillicothe, Lorain, and Springfield. The Affordable Care Act funds, awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administrations (HRSA) Capital Development program grants, will create construction-related and health center jobs at Family Healthcare, Inc., Rocking Horse Center, and Lorain County Health & Dentistry.

 HRSA estimates that these projects will create 29 health center jobs and 152 construction-related jobs in Ohio, while enabling these health centers to serve an additional 22,575 Ohioans.

 “Community health centers play a vital role in Ohio’s health care system, reducing emergency room use and providing critical services to populations who otherwise would have no access to care,” Brown said. “These funds will allow Family Healthcare, Inc, Rocking Horse Center, and Lorain County Health & Dentistry to expand their reach to more Ohioans and expand the range of services they provide.”

 Community health centers serve nearly 19 million patients, about 40 percent of whom have no health insurance. Community health centers deliver preventive and primary care services at more than 7,900 service delivery sites around the country to patients regardless of their ability to pay; charges for services are set according to income. 

 The Capital Development program provides grants that will support major construction and renovation of 143 community health centers around the country.  These community health centers provide services to more than 19 million people, many of which – about 40 percent – have no health insurance. 

 Below is a list of Ohio health centers receiving funds:

Organization Name

City

Award Amount

FAMILY HEALTHCARE, INC.

CHILLICOTHE

$2,645,622

ROCKING HORSE CENTER

SPRINGFIELD

$6,000,000

LORAIN COUNTY HEALTH & DENTISTRY

LORAIN

$6,607,548

OHIO TOTALS

 

$15,253,170

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