RI Delegation Announces $19 Million to Support RI Community Health Centers, Research, and Public Health Priorities

WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to improve public health, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, alongside Congressmen Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo, today announced over $19 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for community health centers and medical research for Rhode Island institutions.

Over $7 million will support four local community health centers (CHCs) that are committed to providing affordable, accessible, high-quality primary health care services to Rhode Islanders and their families, regardless of their ability to pay.  Community health centers are local clinics that can treat the medical, dental, and other health care needs of patients. Centrally located and community-based, they ensure that doctors, dentists, therapists, social workers, eye doctors, OB/GYNs, pediatricians, case managers, and other medical professionals can provide patients with a full range of care.

Recipients of federal health center grants from HHS include:

• Thundermist Health Center is getting $2,641,436 to support its locations in West Warwick, Woonsocket, and South County.  Last year Thundermist cared for more than 62,000 patients.
• Blackstone Valley Community Health Care (BVHC) Inc. is getting $1,600,431 to serve residents in Pawtucket, Central Falls, and the surrounding areas.  BVCHC provides more than 61,000 medical and dental patient visits per year to approximately 21,600 unique users.
• East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) is getting $1,329,485 to provides a wide array of dental, health, and human services to East Bay residents, including the municipalities of Barrington, Bristol, East Providence, Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton, and Warren.
• Comprehensive Community Action (CCAP) is getting $1,443,362 to  enhance CCAP’s capacity to serve the community’s healthcare needs in Cranston, Warwick, and the surrounding area.

“Our local community health centers do a tremendous job.  They provide critical access and health services to ensure everyone in need can see a doctor, dentist, or health provider to meet their needs,” said Senator Reed.  “I’m pleased to help secure federal funds to expand access and keep our communities healthy and strong.”

“Everyone deserves high-quality, affordable health care — and that includes mental health counseling and dental care,” said Senator Whitehouse.  “This federal funding will enable community health centers to continue to provide a wide range of services to keep Rhode Islanders healthy.”

“Health care must be accessible for all Rhode Islanders, and community health centers play an essential role in providing quality and affordable care to working people across our state — particularly in rural and underserved communities,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner. “I am pleased that this federal funding will help improve access to medical services, support health care workers, and keep Rhode Islanders healthy.”

“The federal funds we are announcing today will no doubt help make our communities healthier,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “However, as we deliver essential funding for our community health centers, we must continue to ensure that all Rhode Islanders have access to high-quality, affordable health care — no matter their status or income. I am proud to support Rhode Island’s community health centers in our state and look forward to working alongside my delegation colleagues to build on this announcement.”

Another $12 million in federal funding will be directed to research programs across the state to support advancements in sectors ranging from aging to cancer treatments to diabetes studies and more.  Rhode Island researchers will use this federal grant funding to conduct research in areas including pharmacology, biological chemistry, endocrinology, and other areas.  The state will also use a portion of the funds to assist Rhode Islanders living with HIV/AIDS and a fact-based tobacco control program to prevent smoking and related diseases.

“Rhode Island’s research sector, including our hospitals and research universities like URI and Brown, are economic drivers for the state.  This federal funding will help keep Rhode Island at the forefront of medical research and advancements and help fuel new discoveries when it comes to improving treatments for patients or finding new cures,” said Senator Reed.

“Rhode Island is home to world-class hospitals and research institutions,” said Senator Whitehouse.  “This federal funding will provide a boost to local researchers as they unlock new ways to help Rhode Islanders lead longer, healthier lives.”

“We must always work to improve the health and wellbeing of Rhode Islanders, and investing in Rhode Island’s state-of-the-art research institutions and hospitals is key to this mission,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner. “This federal funding will go toward research in disease prevention and treatment for illnesses and conditions that impact the lives of so many in our state and across the nation.”

“Research is critical part of accelerating medical breakthroughs and discovering innovative treatments for Rhode Islanders,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “The federal funding that our delegation helped secure will bolster ongoing, cutting-edge scientific work while also supporting our state’s patients who will benefit from its practical applications. Rhode Island’s campuses and hospitals are national leaders in research. I am proud that we are investing in these institutions because of the essential roles that they play in our communities.”

Recipients of federal research grants from HHS include: