.jpg)
The federal government will distribute nearly $50 million among 66 federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in Texas as part of a nationwide infusion of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to modernize those centers and support underserved communities.
The centers are funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The $49.6 million in funding to Texas centers is part of an effort that is distributing nearly $1 billion among centers in all 50 states, HHS announced in a Sept. 28 release. It will support “major health care construction and renovation projects,” HHS said.
The health centers will use the funds for “COVID-19-related capital needs, constructing new facilities, renovating and expanding existing facilities to enhance response to pandemics, and purchasing new state-of-the-art equipment, including telehealth technology, mobile medical vans, and freezers to store vaccines,” according to HHS.
Among the Texas FQHCs, Legacy Community Health Services in Houston received the largest piece of funding at just more than $1.9 million. Several other Texas FQHCs received more than $1 million, including centers in San Antonio, Austin, Georgetown, Waco, and College Station.
“HRSA-funded health centers play a vital role in the local community response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” HRSA Acting Administrator Diana Espinosa said in the release. “Investing in health center construction and modernization will significantly increase access to affordable, high-quality primary health care services in underserved communities across the nation.”
The initiative sent Texas FQHCs the third-highest funding amount of any state, behind California ($139.1 million among 166 centers) and New York ($54 million among 62 centers).
Last Updated On
October 12, 2021
Originally Published On
October 12, 2021