HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) today announced 33 grants totaling $3.5 million to support the work of America’s Primary Care Associations (PCAs).  The grants are competitive supplemental awards.
 
“PCAs provide significant help to health centers and other safety-net providers across the nation as we continue to implement President Bush’s five-year initiative to expand health centers,” HRSA Administrator Elizabeth M. Duke said.   “These grants support PCAs’ participation in state-based strategies to recruit and retain health center staff and help communities obtain needed funds for new health centers.”
 
Primary Care Associations (PCAs) are private, non-profit organizations located in many states whose members include HRSA-supported community health centers and other safety-net providers.  Core PCA activities include providing training and technical assistance to health centers and other safety net providers, planning for the growth of health centers in their state, and enhancing the quality of care provided by health centers. In addition, PCAs provide information to residents about their eligibility for low- or no-cost health care at community health centers and other safety-net facilities.
 
Launched in 2002, President Bush’s initiative to expand the nation’s health center network will create new or expanded health center sites in 1,200 communities and increase the number of people served annually from about 10 million in 2001 to more than 16 million by 2006.  HRSA’s Bureau of Primary Health Care administers almost $1.5 billion in federal health center grants annually and is leading the implementation of the President’s initiative.
 
Creating new or expanding health centers in underserved communities is a key component of the Bush Administration’s broad strategy for expanding access to health care for uninsured and underinsured populations in America.  More information about the President’s initiatives to help the uninsured is available at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2003pres/20030211.html.
 
 

FY 2003 Primary Care Associations Supplemental Grant Awards
Organization	City	State	Award
Arizona Assoc. of Community Health Centers Inc.	Phoenix	Ariz.	$75,000
California Primary Care Association	Sacramento	Calif.	75,000
Community Health Assoc. Mountain/Plains States	Denver	Colo.	75,000
Colorado Community Health Network	Denver	Colo.	75,000
Connecticut Primary Care Association	Hartford	Conn.	48,846
Florida Association of Community Health	Tallahassee	Fla.	253,615
Georgia Association for Primary Care Inc.	Atlanta	Ga.	60,000
Illinois Primary Health Care Association	Springfield	Ill.	75,000
Indiana Primary Health Care Association	Indianapolis	Ind.	54,500
Iowa/Nebraska Primary Care Association	Des Moines	Iowa	75,000
Kansas Association/The Medically Underserved	Topeka	Kan.	74,993
Maine Primary Care Association	Augusta	Maine	150,000
Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers	Boston	Mass.	137,268
Michigan Primary Care Association	Okemos	Mich.	75,000
Mississippi Primary Health Care Association	Jackson	Miss.	75,000
Missouri Coalition for Primary Health Care & Heartland	Jefferson City	Mo.	75,000
Montana Primary Care Association	Helena	Mont.	150,000
Great Basin Primary Care Association	Carson City	Nev.	75,000
Community Health Care Association of New York State	New York	N.Y.	256,201
North Carolina Primary Health Care Association	Cary	N.C.	75,000
Ohio Primary Care Association	Columbus	Ohio	150,000
Oklahoma Primary Care Association	Oklahoma City	Okla.	150,000
Asociación De Salud Primaria De Puerto Rico Inc.	Hato Rey	P.R.	17,612
South Carolina Primary Health Care Association	Columbia	S.C.	132,565
Community Health Care Association Inc. (North/South Dakota)	Sioux Falls	S.D.	148,693
Tennessee Primary Care Association	Nashville	Tenn.	150,000
Texas Association of Community Health Centers	Austin	Texas	75,000
Association for Utah Community Health	Salt Lake City	Utah	37,786
Bi-State Primary Care Association (Vermont)	Montpellier	Vt.	74,505
Virginia Primary Care Association	Richmond	Va.	74,795
Northwest Regional Primary Care Association	Seattle	Wash.	358,717
Wisconsin Primary Care Association	Madison	Wis.	55,000
Wyoming Primary Care Association	Cheyenne	Wyo.	75,000
Total:			$3,510,096