08.15.18

Senators Cantwell, Murray Announce Significant New Investments to Strengthen Community Health Centers

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded more than $3.8 million dollars to Washington state community health centers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) shared the news that community health centers across Washington state were awarded a total of more than $3.8 million dollars from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The grants, awarded to 27 community health centers around the state, will support the centers’ work to increase access to health care for families, continue to improve quality and value of care, address health disparities, and more.

The grants in Washington state were part of a larger announcement that HRSA was awarding $125.3 million quality improvement grants to community health centers nationwide. Senator Cantwell, a member of the Senate Finance Committee and a long-time supporter of community health centers, has helped defend and preserve Medicaid, a vital source of funding to community health centers and their patients, from draconian budget cut proposals. The announcement also follows Senator Murray’s successful efforts earlier this year to reauthorize the community health center program and to increase funding for community health centers by $200 million in a recent bipartisan budget deal. 

“Community health centers provide essential health care for many of Washington’s most vulnerable patients and communities,” said Senator Cantwell. “Many children and families throughout our state rely on community health centers for primary care, dental care, mental health and addiction services, and other important health needs. I’m proud to support our community health centers, and I’m glad we have secured more resources to foster innovation and deliver high-value care to families throughout Washington state.”

“Community health centers play a critical role in making sure patients and families across Washington state, and across the country, have access to quality health care—which is why we need to make sure these centers have the resources they need,” said Senator Murray. “I’m glad we were able to reach a bipartisan agreement earlier this year to help community health centers support and enhance the great work they already do to make sure patients and families in all corners of our country have quality care within reach regardless of income, and I hope we can continue to build on that progress.”

For more information on these awards, including specific grants in Washington state, click HERE.

Full list of WA grantees HERE.

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