WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today announced three grants to be awarded to local community health centers by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The grants, totaling $4,584,780, will be distributed to Carolina Family Health Centers, Inc. of Wilson, North Carolina and the Rural Health Group, Inc. of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.
“Funding for these North Carolina centers will increase healthcare access to communities who have a difficult time accessing affordable care,” said Butterfield. “Secretary Sebelius and the Department of Health and Human Services recognize the role of community health centers in providing critical preventative care to eastern North Carolinians that will save lives and money on their doctors’ bills.”
Carolina Health Centers, Inc. received the Building Capacity Program grant in the amount of $3,507,460. Carolina Health Centers serves as the umbrella organization for Freedom Hill Community Center, Harvest Family Health Center and Wilson Community Health Center. The health centers serve Edgecombe and Wilson counties in eastern North Carolina.
Rural Health Group, Inc. received the remaining two grants. One of the two grants was funded under the Immediate Facility Improvement Program to rebuild their facility in Norlina, North Carolina.
These grants were made possible under the Affordable Care Act which provides $9.5 billion to expand health care services along with $1.5 billion to support construction and renovation projects for community health centers nationwide.