HRSA Announces $39 Million in Grants to Expand, Improve Health Center Services

ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Health Resources and
Services Administration (HRSA) today announced $39 million in grants to
increase and improve medical services at the nation's health centers.

"These grants continue President Bush's historic expansion of the health
center network, whose services now reach more economically vulnerable and
geographically isolated Americans than ever before," HRSA Administrator
Elizabeth M. Duke said. "In 2007, more than 16 million medically underserved
people were served by health centers, up from 10 million patients served in
2001, and these funds will continue that trend."

A total of 168 grants worth more than $30 million will give existing health
centers the funds to add new or increase existing mental health/substance
abuse, oral health or pharmacy services. Grants worth $8.8 million will allow
19 current health center grantees to expand services by adding new medical
providers or medical services or by staying open longer.

Additionally, 26 planning grants worth over $2 million will be distributed to
organizations in areas without health centers to help them develop new service
delivery sites. New health center sites must meet federal requirements for
governance, community involvement, quality of care and financial feasibility.

HRSA manages the Health Center Program, which funds a national network of more
than 1,000 community, migrant, homeless and public housing health center
grantees. These organizations provide health care at more than 7,000 sites
ranging from large medical facilities to clinics and mobile vans.

The grant awards are listed on-line:
http://newsroom.hrsa.gov/releases/2008/expandedcapacity.htm

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), part of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for
improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured,
isolated, or medically vulnerable. For more information about HRSA and its
programs, visit www.hrsa.gov.

SOURCE Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Health Resources and Services Administration, +1-301-443-3376, press@hrsa.gov