Investment Will Help Increase Access to Vaccinations Among Hard-Hit Populations
**Download Help is Here Ohio Graphics HERE**
CLEVELAND, OH – Every day this week, the office of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is highlighting key victories for Ohio in the American Rescue Plan, critical legislation that will help Ohio recover from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, as part of the Help is Here Ohio series, Brown’s office is drawing attention to the more than $160 million that 51 community health centers across Ohio will receive in American Rescue Plan funding to support COVID-19 vaccination and services for vulnerable populations. The funding will be awarded beginning in April by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
In Case You Missed It, Cleveland.com highlighted the $160,695,375 in American Rescue Plan funding awarded to Ohio’s 51 community health centers.
“Nearly 1,400 community health centers around the country will get the money, the White House said. More than 91 percent of their patients are individuals or families living at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, and more than 60 percent are racial or ethnic minorities,” wrote Sabrina Eaton for Cleveland.com.
This investment will help increase access to vaccinations among hard-hit populations, as well as confidence in the vaccine by empowering local, trusted health professionals in their efforts to expand vaccinations.
Specifically, health centers will be able to use this funding to:
· Support and expand COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and treatment for vulnerable populations;
· Deliver needed preventive and primary health care services to those at higher risk for COVID-19;
· And expand health centers’ operational capacity during the pandemic and beyond, including modifying and improving physical infrastructure and adding mobile units.
A full breakdown of Ohio Health Center awards in the American Rescue Plan is available HERE.
You can read the Cleveland.com story HERE or below.
Cleveland.com: Ohio health centers will get more than $160 million for coronavirus vaccinations and vulnerable group services
By Sabrina Eaton
March 25, 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Starting in April, 51 community health centers in Ohio will get an infusion of $160,695,375 in American Rescue Plan funding to pay for coronavirus vaccinations and other services for vulnerable populations, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Thursday.
Nationwide, HHS will spend $6 billion to expand coronavirus vaccinations, testing and treatment for vulnerable populations; deliver preventive and primary health care services to people at higher risk for COVID-19; and expand health centers’ operational capacity during the pandemic and beyond, including modifying and improving physical infrastructure and adding mobile units., the White House said.
A statement from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said communities hit hardest by COVID-19 will benefit from the money.
“Every American should have the security of knowing they have access to quality, affordable health care, especially as we face a pandemic that has exposed the disparities facing rural, minority, and lower-income communities,” Becerra’s statement said.
Nearly 1,400 community health centers around the country will get the money, the White House said. More than 91 percent of their patients are individuals or families living at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, and more than 60 percent are racial or ethnic minorities.
“Since we passed the American Rescue Plan, we are starting to get new signs of hope in our economy,” President Joe Biden said at a Thursday press conference. “Since it was passed a majority of economic forecasters have significantly increased their projections on the economic growth that’s going to take place this year … There are still too many Americans out of work, too many families hurting and I still have a lot of work to do. I can say to you, the American people, help is here and hope is on the way.”
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