HRSA Awards Over $38 Million to Promote and Improve Safety-Net Services

HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration recently announced the award of over $38 million to primary care associations and offices across the nation to improve and expand health care services offered by America’s safety-net providers and to increase local residents’ access to them.

“PCAs and PCOs play an important role in helping to extend quality medical care to individuals across the nation,” said HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt.  “These organizations help their local communities assess health care needs and obtain health center funding.” HRSA is an HHS agency that oversees the nation’s health center program.

Over $28.5 million was awarded to 50 state and regional Primary Care Associations (PCAs), which are private, non-profit organizations whose members represent HRSA-supported health centers and other safety-net providers.  PCAs' core activities include providing training and technical assistance to health centers and other safety-net providers, planning for the growth of health centers in their state, and enhancing the quality of care provided by health centers.

More than $9.8 million went to 53 state and territory Primary Care Offices (PCOs), state and territorial government offices that work to meet the needs of the medically underserved. PCOs' core activities include assessing the need for health care and for primary care providers in their state; applying to have parts of the state designated as health professional shortage areas; and recruiting and retaining providers to work in underserved areas.

Along with these core activities, PCAs and PCOs also use the funds to reach out to residents with information about their eligibility for low- or no-cost health care at health centers and other safety-net facilities.

Creating new or expanding health centers in underserved communities is a key component of the Bush Administration’s strategy for increasing access to health care for uninsured and underinsured populations in America.

Health centers deliver preventive and primary care to patients regardless of their ability to pay. Typically, 40 percent of the patients treated at health centers have no insurance coverage, and others have inadequate coverage. Charges for health care services are set according to income.

For more information, visit the web site of HRSA’s Division of State and Community Assistance.  Lists of FY 2006 grant recipients are attached below:

FY 2006 Grants to Primary Care Associations

FY 2006 Grants to Primary Care Organizations

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