Reed Pushes for Community Health Center Funding to Help Improve Public Health & Address Disparities Exposed by COVID-19

Press Release

Sen. Reed has delivered $11.4 million for RI CHCs & says additional federal funds are necessary to help those on front lines providing comprehensive and affordable primary health care to medically underserved populations

In an effort to address economic and racial disparities in health care and prioritize federal funding for medically underserved communities, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) is calling on Congress to support Community Health Centers (CHCs) that provide Americans with critical health care, including testing and treatment of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Reed says that without additional federal support, CHCs across the country are at risk of closing and cutting off health care access to communities who are being hit hardest by COVID-19.

"I have long championed increased funding to reduce unacceptable health disparities and Community Health Centers are a key part of that effort. COVID-19 has highlighted glaring and persistent racial, economic, and health disparities. Congress must take long overdue steps to address these challenges and ensure every patient has access to needed care and healthy outcomes. Community Health Centers are a smart investment that make a world of difference and strengthen public health. CHCs provide quality, innovative care to all who come through their doors. I am committed to ensuring all Rhode Islanders can access the care they need and will continue pressing for federal funds to bolster our community health centers," said Senator Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, who helped lead efforts to include $5.4 billion for Community Health Centers (CHCs) in the fiscal year 2020 spending law to provide comprehensive, quality health care services to medically underserved communities and vulnerable populations.

Reed noted that Congress included $100 million for CHCs in the initial emergency COVID-19 response bill (Public Law No. 116-123), and $1.32 billion for CHCs in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law No. 116-136), as well as $600 million dedicated to help CHCs with COVID-19 testing. But CHCs, like many health providers, are facing financial hardship due to COVID-19, with increased expenses such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning costs and decreased revenue from fewer elective visits.

Reed penned a bipartisan letter to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor-HHS-Education with 41 colleagues, noting that CHCs face a $7.6 billion budget shortfall in the coming months, and calling for additional funding for CHCs to be included in the next coronavirus relief package to support their frontline health care services.

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