CCHN Comment on Sec Sebelius Announcement of $81m Award Announcement

NEWS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 28, 2009 Statement attributable to: Ross Brooks, Chief Operating Officer Colorado Community Health Network CCHN Response to Secretary Sebelius’ Announcement of $81.7 Million to Expand Services at Health Centers Today’s announcement about new funding for Health Centers is welcome news to Community Health Centers in Colorado. The funding announcement was made by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius. Colorado’s 15 Health Centers are expected to receive $1.2 million of the $56.1 million allocated nationally for increases to Health Center base federal funding. This increase in funding is badly needed, said Ross Brooks, Chief Operating Officer at the Colorado Community Health Network. Demand for Health Center services is growing at the same time that Health Centers are losing an estimated $6.35 million in state funding. Colorado Health Centers are facing financial challenges as demand for services is increasing as low and middle income Coloradans lose their jobs and health insurance. In 2008, CHCs cared for nearly 18,000 more patients than in 2007. One of Colorado’s Health Centers – the Metro Community Provider Network – will also receive a $350,000 grant from the federal government to expand medical capacity. The increase in base federal funding will help Colorado’s Health Centers meet the challenges of increased demand. # # # The HRSA press release is on ...