More than $16m in funds will be spent on new construction, expansion of existing clinics, and equipment purchases across the state
By Kevin Doyle
Tennessee’s health care infrastructure will receive a needed boost in the form of $16.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding. Two state-run health centers are among the grant recipients with The Upper Cumberland Primary Care Project receiving $1.4 million and Stewart County Community Medical Center awarded $349,000.
Governor Phil Bredesen said funding for capital projects and equipment will enhance efficiencies and is expected to increase access to health care for thousands of Tennesseans.
“This funding will increase access to care for many more families, allowing them to seek preventive and primary health care,” the governor said.
The Upper Cumberland Primary Care Project will use the Recovery Act Capital Improvement Program (CIP) grant to assist in building two new health clinics that will enhance patient flow and greatly increase capacity. The grant will also be used to expand two existing health center locations and to purchase EKG machines and dental equipment. Of patients currently being served in the Upper Cumberland area, which includes 14 of Tennessee’s most rural and geographically isolated counties, 54 percent are uninsured.
“Local health departments will be able to fund renovations, construction and equipment upgrades with this grant. All of these efforts will improve access to quality health care for Tennesseans. Many of our rural health departments would not otherwise be able to afford these necessary upgrades,” said U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon, who represents counties served by the Upper Cumberland project.
The grant to the Stewart County Medical Center will allow for expansion to include an additional classroom, a new treatment room and a new roof. The expansion coupled with other internal restructuring will result in three additional clinic rooms, and a larger pharmacy.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the CIP grants will support the construction, repair and renovation of more than 1,500 health center sites nationwide. More than 650 centers will use the funds to purchase new equipment or health information technology (HIT) systems, and nearly 400 health centers will adopt and expand the use of electronic health records.
Source: www.clarksvilleonline.com