Springfield health center to receive federal funds

Springfield Medical Care Systems will receive a $293,300 share of $2.7 million in federal funds awarded to 10 community health centers throughout Vermont this week.
 http://eagletimes.villagesoup.com/p/springfield-health-center-to-receive-federal-funds/1412278

Springfield health center to receive federal funds By ALLAN STEIN | Sep 17, 2015 SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Medical Care Systems will receive a $293,300 share of $2.7 million in federal funds awarded to 10 community health centers throughout Vermont this week. The Vermont awards are part of nearly $500 million in new funding announced by the Department of Health and Human Services for community health centers across the United States. The funds will provide health care services for 1.4 million new patients nationally. The Vermont health centers will use the funding to offer more than 3,700 additional Vermonters low-cost prescription drugs and medical, dental and mental health care services. "I am pleased to see Vermont receive these much-needed awards, which will allow our community health centers to serve more Vermonters who today lack adequate access to affordable health care," said U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, the ranking member of the Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health. The funds were authorized by a Sanders provision in the Affordable Care Act that made available $11 billion for community health centers. Sanders said he is "proud we continue to see significant increases in the number of patients accessing health care at community health centers in Vermont and around the country." In 2006, fewer than 10 percent of Vermont residents received their health care at community health centers. These centers provide comprehensive primary health care services on a sliding fee scale, and low-cost prescription drugs to patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance, as well as those who have no insurance. In August, Sanders announced Vermont's community health centers received $493,860, in recognition of the high quality health care they provide to Vermont residents. Springfield Medical Care Systems officials could not be reached for comment.