Swalwell Announces Federal Grants for Three CA-15 Community Health Centers
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15) today announced that three Community Health Centers in the 15th Congressional District were awarded grants from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to hire more outreach workers to provide enrollment assistance and information about the affordable health coverage options made available by the Affordable Care Act. The grantees are: Axis Community Health in Pleasanton, Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center in Union City and Tri-City Health Center in Union City, Fremont, Hayward and Livermore.
"Community Health Centers are already trusted health sources and thus vital to assisting Americans with enrollment in the affordable, quality coverage made possible by the Affordable Care Act," said Rep. Swalwell. "Thanks to these grants, my constituents will have greater access to resources in their communities to learn about the new health care options and find the plan that suits their needs."
Community Health Centers serve more than 21 million patients each year. They are defined as locally-controlled, non-profit entities that provide primary care, oral, behavioral health, pharmacy, and social services in our most underserved rural and urban areas. These Centers generate $24 billion annually in savings to the health care system, due largely to their success in reducing the need for patients to seek care in costlier health care settings, like emergency departments and hospitals.
In total, $150 million was granted to 1,159 Health Centers across the nation to enroll uninsured Americans in new health coverage options. The Centers will hire an additional 2,900 outreach and eligibility assistance workers to assist millions of people nationwide with enrollment.
Tiburcio Vásquez Health Center
"All of us at Tiburcio Vásquez Health Center believe that all people have a right to quality health care, regardless of their ability to pay. Every day, we provide free and low-cost care with dignity and respect to hundreds of uninsured Alameda County residents," said David B. Vliet, MBA, CEO, Tiburcio Vásquez Health Center. "Receiving funds from HRSA for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act will allow us to continue building on our ongoing commitment to serving the wonderful people of Alameda County, especially in Hayward, Union City, and San Lorenzo."
Axis Community Health
"This funding is critical. It gives us the ability to reach thousands of low-income Tri-Valley residents who presently do not have access to basic healthcare and are now eligible for coverage through the Affordable Care Act," said Sue Compton, CEO, Axis Community Health. "The funds will be used to hire four new staff in our outreach and Medi-Cal enrollment assistance program. The funding's arrival is timely for Axis. We are in the midst of expanding our medical services capacity to meet the growing need for affordable care and are opening a new clinic next year. We want to be sure to help everyone in need of care and these funds will help us do that."
Tri-City Health Center (TCHC)
TCHC is excited about receiving HRSA funding to focus on outreach and enrollment services that will impact access to affordable health care in a more efficient and patient friendly manner," Dr. Zettie Page, CEO, Tri-City Health Center. "Funds will be utilized to redesign our existing outreach and internal referral services (referred to as ‘Enabling Service Program') into a system that is electronically driven and linked to partner service agencies through assigning eligibility workers throughout the service area. TCHC anticipates reaching a more diverse patient population in their native languages that would not otherwise have access to affordable health services.
Alameda Health Consortium
"Health centers are well poised to make ObamaCare a reality," said Ralph Silber, Executive Director, Alameda Health Consortium. "We are in the neighborhoods and speak the languages. Last year in the Alameda County area alone, we helped more than 170,000 people get access to affordable health care."
A list of health centers receiving this funding:
https://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/2013tables/outreachandenrollment/.