NH community health centers to receive $6.8 million in emergency CARES Act funding

MANCHESTER, N.H. -

Nine community health centers and the city of Manchester will receive $6.8 million in federal funding to help support their efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state's congressional delegation said Tuesday.

The funds are part of the $2 trillion CARES Act passed by Congress and signed into law March 27, and are in addition to about $1.4 billion received by the state, or entities in the state, so far.

That $1.4 billion includes $1.25 billion in base aid that the CARES Act provides to compensate New Hampshire for COVID-19 response efforts; $147 million for schools, transit, law enforcement, child care, low-income heating and other needs; and the $11.7 million to address affordable housing and community service needs.

"Community health centers play a critical role in responding to this pandemic and deliver essential and affordable health care to thousands of Granite Staters, especially those living in rural communities," said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who helped negotiate a portion of the CARES Act.

She said that while speaking Tuesday with leaders of community health centers, "The message I received was loud and clear: 'We need help and we need it fast.'

"I’m glad these funds have been awarded so quickly, and I’ll keep calling for more resources to assist New Hampshire health care providers and medical workers as they respond to this crisis."

According to the delegation, here’s how the funds will be disbursed:

· Ammonoosuc Community Health Services (Littleton, Franconia and Whitefield) – $693,410

· Amoskeag Health (Manchester) – $829,895

· Coos County Family Health Services (Berlin, Gorham and Groveton) – $714,980

· Greater Seacoast Community Health (Somersworth and Portsmouth) – $829,910

· Harbor Homes (Nashua) – $561,995

· Indian Stream Health Center (Colebrook) – $570,950

· Lamprey Health Care (Nashua, Raymond & Newmarket) – $838,580

· Mid-State Health Center (Bristol and Plymouth) – $698,705

· Healthfirst Family Care Center (Laconia and Franklin) – $591,455

· Funds administered by the City of Manchester – $541,415

"Community health centers are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, working day in and day out to keep vulnerable Granite Staters and Americans healthy and safe," said Sen. Maggie Hassan. "These federal grants, which are a result of the bipartisan CARES Act, will help provide critical resources to New Hampshire health centers."

"However, as I discussed today with leaders of community health centers across our state, there is still more work to be done to support these centers and ensure that patients have access to quality, affordable health care."

U.S. Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas also stressed the crucial role community health centers play in responding to the coronavirus outbreak and promised to continue to work for long-term funding in future legislation.

Tess Kuenning, president and CEO of the B-State Primary Care Association, said Shaheen and Hassan "favorably influenced and shaped the three stimulus packages to include essential resources for our state and for its most vulnerable populations.

"The announcement of emergency resources for our health centers will allow them to continue to provide quality patient care for those most in need of services."