By CQ Staff
December 9, 2009 -- The White House on Wednesday announced grants of $509 million for construction and renovation projects at 85 community health centers around the country. Allocated under the economic stimulus law, the awards will create jobs and help provide care "for more than half a million additional patients in underserved communities," a White House news release said.
Community health centers funded by the federal government take all comers, including the uninsured. In many instances, they treat low-income patients without coverage or with skimpy insurance.
According to the White House, there are some 1,100 health centers across the country that served some 17 million patients in 2008 and will serve come 20 million patients in 2010.
Another $88 million in grant money will help networks of community health centers adopt electronic health records and other forms of health information technology.
In addition, President Obama signed an order creating a "demonstration program" to test the "medical home" concept in selected health centers.
The idea of the medical home is to give patients a doctor who is accessible, coordinates treatment with other doctors and nurses, and provides good preventive care.
December 9, 2009 -- The White House on Wednesday announced grants of $509 million for construction and renovation projects at 85 community health centers around the country. Allocated under the economic stimulus law, the awards will create jobs and help provide care "for more than half a million additional patients in underserved communities," a White House news release said.
Community health centers funded by the federal government take all comers, including the uninsured. In many instances, they treat low-income patients without coverage or with skimpy insurance.
According to the White House, there are some 1,100 health centers across the country that served some 17 million patients in 2008 and will serve come 20 million patients in 2010.
Another $88 million in grant money will help networks of community health centers adopt electronic health records and other forms of health information technology.
In addition, President Obama signed an order creating a "demonstration program" to test the "medical home" concept in selected health centers.
The idea of the medical home is to give patients a doctor who is accessible, coordinates treatment with other doctors and nurses, and provides good preventive care.
