Health Center Program Grants
Stored: Health Center Program Grants
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Health Resources and Services Administration |
| Top Organization | Department of Health and Human Services |
| Creation Legislation | Public Health Service Act, Section 330 (42 U.S.C. § 254b) |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | Health Center Program Grants fund community groups to provide primary care to underserved areas, cutting disparities via affordable health centers. |
| Program Start | 1965 |
| Initial Funding | $7 million |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
The Health Center Program Grants, established in 1965 under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act, is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through its Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) to provide grants to health centers, allocating over $30 billion since inception to support approximately 1,400 health centers serving over 30 million patients annually by 2025. Initially funded with $7 million, it has grown to distribute $4.7 billion in FY 2024 across 1,400 awards, funding services like primary care, dental care, and behavioral health at FQHCs in rural and urban underserved areas.[1] Despite its impact, challenges like funding shortages and service gaps in rural areas persist (web ID: 4), but it remains a cornerstone of HRSA’s healthcare access efforts.
Goals
- Improve access to affordable, quality primary care for medically underserved populations.
- Reduce health disparities through comprehensive services at FQHCs and look-alikes.
- Support community-based health centers in delivering culturally competent care.[2]
Organization
The Health Center Program Grants are managed by BPHC within HRSA, overseen by Administrator Carole Johnson since 2021, with health centers implementing projects under federal oversight. It operates via annual appropriations, guided by Section 330 and subsequent funding acts like Public Law 117-328 (2022).[3]
Partners
- National Association of Community Health Centers
- National Rural Health Association
- American Academy of Family Physicians
- California Primary Care Association
History
Authorized by Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 254b) and launched in 1965 with $7 million, the Health Center Program expanded with annual appropriations, reaching $4.7 billion in FY 2024.[4] It grew from serving 100 health centers and 1 million patients in 1970 to 1,400 centers and 30 million patients by 2025, addressing disparities with innovations like telehealth (web ID: 4). By 2025, it has awarded over $30 billion, though GAO notes funding challenges (web ID: 4).
Funding
Initial funding of $7 million in 1965 supported the program’s launch, with over $30 billion appropriated by 2025 via annual HHS budgets—e.g., $4.7 billion in FY 2024.[5] Ongoing appropriations under Section 330 sustain its operations, with no fixed end as it addresses ongoing healthcare access needs.
Implementation
The Health Center Program distributes grants annually, requiring health centers to provide comprehensive care to underserved populations, tracked via HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs).[6] It progresses through local partnerships—e.g., 1,400 centers yearly—and service expansions, adapting to healthcare needs with no set end, though rural gaps remain a challenge (web ID: 4).
Related
External links
- https://bphc.hrsa.gov/funding/find-funding/health-center-program
- https://www.nachc.org
- wikipedia:Health Resources and Services Administration
Social media
- https://twitter.com/HRSAgov
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/health-resources-and-services-administration
References
- ↑ "Health Center Program". Health Resources and Services Administration. https://bphc.hrsa.gov/funding/find-funding/health-center-program.
- ↑ "FY 2024 Health Center Program NOFO". Health Resources and Services Administration. https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/apply-assistance/health-center-program/fy2024-hcp-nofo.pdf.
- ↑ "About HRSA Leadership". Health Resources and Services Administration. https://www.hrsa.gov/about/leadership.
- ↑ "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023". U.S. Congress. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2617.
- ↑ "Health Center Program". Health Resources and Services Administration. https://bphc.hrsa.gov/funding/find-funding/health-center-program.
- ↑ "Electronic Handbooks". Health Resources and Services Administration. https://bphc.hrsa.gov/funding/apply-grant/electronic-handbooks-ehbs.