The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - Benefits to Community Health Centers

  • In the Spring of 2009, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a one-time grant of nearly $6 million to expand services at 25 of Oregon's community health centers. The money was made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, the federal economic stimulus package) and came as more Oregonians joined the ranks of the uninsured.
  • The grants -- titled Increased Demand for Services grants -- will be used over the next two years to hire additional health care professional, increase hours of operation or expand health center services. HHS reports that the funds will allow centers to create or retain an estimate 120 jobs throughout Oregon and to serve an estimated additional 32,500 patients.
  • In June 2009, the White House announced the next round of ARRA funding for Oregon CHCs. Under the Recovery Act Capital Improvement Program, the federal government will release $14.6 million to address immediate and pressing health center facility and equipment needs and increase access to health care for Oregonians.
  • In December 2009, HHS awarded the final grants to community health centers under ARRA.  One Oregon CHC, Central City Concern, received a $9 million Facility Improvement Grant for construction and renovation projects. 

  • The grants will help OPCA's health centers continue to serve our most vulnerable residents. But they should not be viewed as a solution to our centers' ongoing financial challenges.
  • Navigating the ARRA funding process for community health centers: Visit the HHS website for comprehensive information at www.hhs.gov/recovery.
  • These grants will support the construction, repair and renovation of health center sites. Oregon’s CHCs will use the funds to purchase new equipment, invest in health information technology systems, and adopt and expand the use of electronic health records.