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Community Health Centers To Expand Primary Care Services

Community health centers across the state will benefit from a $1.8 million grant awarded by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as part of President Bush's initiative to provide primary health care services to areas of high poverty and provide new or expanded primary health care services.

"We are so pleased health centers in Indiana will receive this funding to help better serve Hoosiers in areas that are medically underserved," said Loren Robertson, assistant commissioner, Human Health Services Commission at the Indiana State Department of Health. "It took a team effort to apply for these awards, and we are grateful for the support of Governor Daniels and the Indiana Primary Health Care Association."

The following five community health centers received funding to expand medical capacity:

  • Family Health Center of Clark County in Jeffersonville - $520,079
  • Hilltop Community Health Center in Valparaiso - $300,000
  • NorthShore Community Health Center in Portage - $233,333
  • NorthShore Health Centers in Portage - $215,500
  • Vermillion-Parke Community Health Center in Clinton - $600,000

State health officials say the money will be used to establish new community health centers in Michigan City (Hilltop Community Health Center) and Porter County (NorthShore Health Centers).

Many of the recipients were deemed medically underserved, according to grant qualifications. The Index of Medical Underservice (IMU) set the criteria by calculating the health of communities based on infant mortality rates, poverty levels, the average age of the population, and the ratio of primary medical care physicians per 1,000 residents.

Using these guidelines, each area with an IMU score of 62 or below qualified as being medically underserved.

Indiana, however, did not have an area which met the IMU definition, but Governor Daniels requested seven counties to be designated as Governor's exceptions. The Indiana State Department of Health supported the request and provided data reflecting economic, disease incidence and poverty status.

"We provided evidence supporting the need for additional medical services in the areas, Robertson said. "We hope this will address some of the chronic health issues facing Hoosiers in these communities."

Additionally, HRSA awarded the Indiana Primary Health Care Association $240,000 in planning grants to prepare for increased services in Carroll, Newton, and Posey counties which could bring more federal funding to low income areas of Indiana.

"I think it is phenomenal when HRSA provides communities and its uninsured residents with the most comprehensive healthcare," said Janice Wilson, chief executive officer of NorthShore Health Centers.

President Bush's Health Center Initiative aims to increase access to primary health care service in 1,200 communities through expansion of existing health centers or creating new ones.

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