Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced today that Tampa Bay area community health centers are receiving more than $7 million through President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The money is creating and preserving jobs, enabling health centers to see more patients and funding critical construction work at health center locations.
 

Community Health Centers of Pinellas is receiving $1.1 million. That is on top of roughly $440,000 awarded in March.

“Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, we have now been able to direct some $1.5 million coming to Pinellas Community Health Centers that will allow them to hire additional medical personnel and construct six additional exam rooms,” Castor said today at Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center.

Recovery Act money also has enabled Pinellas Community Health Centers to hire and retain personnel, including doctors, nurses and medical assistants. The construction work will lead to construction-related jobs in the area. Pinellas Community Health Centers also is expanding its electronic health care records.

As health care reform legislation takes shape, Castor explained the importance of community health centers. One of Castor’s priorities is to improve access to primary care. One way to do that is by spurring a robust expansion of community health centers.

“They are a lifeline for healthcare for families,” Castor said. “There is a great need for affordable health care throughout the Tampa Bay area. This comes at a critical time when many folks have lost their jobs and don’t have health insurance.”

Community health centers provide a convenient and accessible way to have health care needs met.

Cheryl Robinson, who oversees the Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center, joined Castor for today’s announcement. She explained that the health center is a full-service facility for children and adults. The center offers primary care, dental, ob-gyn and pharmacy services. Johnnie Ruth Clarke, she said, is receiving 15,000 calls a month.

“We don’t turn people away,” she said. “We are here to help them. With the additional six exam rooms we will be able to meet more of the need we have in the county.”

One in 19 Americans relies on a community health center for care. Community health centers are a key source of local employment and economic growth in many economically challenged communities. Centers support more than 105,000 jobs nationwide.