Schumer, Gillibrand Announce More Than $6.3 Million In Federal Funds For 23 Upstate New York Community Health Centers

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced $6,324,208 in federal funds for 23 Upstate New York community health centers. The funding will be allocated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). These funds will enable health centers across the state to increase access to comprehensive primary health care services by hiring new staff, staying open for longer hours, and expanding the care they provide to include new services such as oral health, behavioral health, pharmacy, and vision services. Throughout New York State and New York City, there were 58 total health centers awarded federal funds, totaling over $15.6 million. These health centers are expected to hire over 200 new full-time employees, including health care providers, to begin serving an additional 82,000 patients statewide.

"These much-needed funds will allow 58 community health centers throughout New York State, including 23 centers in Upstate New York alone, improve healthcare access for the local community," said Senator Schumer. "Specifically, these funds will increase access to primary care services by enabling these health center to hire new staff, stay open longer, and expand care to areas like oral health and vision services. Not only will this funding lead to an increase in New York state residents' ability to utilize health care services, it will also mean jobs for local area residents and health professionals. This is great news for New York State and I will continue to fight for this kind of funding so that New Yorkers may continue to benefit from increased care and jobs in the future."

"This is a major investment for upstate New York," Senator Gillibrand said. "Quality health care must be accessible throughout our communities. This grant will help local health care centers throughout the state meet the need for services and provide families with better care. By hiring more trained staff members and by expanding care and hours, centers will work more efficiently and New Yorkers will be able to get the quality care they need."

"Federally qualified community health centers are central to New York's primary care safety net, and the comprehensive, integrated model of care that they provide is the foundation upon which health care reform is being built, not only in our state but across the nation," said Elizabeth Swain, President and CEO of the Community Health Care Association of New York State. "These Affordable Care Act dollars will help to further strengthen New York's health centers, enabling them to expand the types of services they provide and care for over 82,000 new patients across the State of New York at a time when the demand for primary care is at an all-time high."

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