NASHVILLE – Fifty-eight federally qualified health centers in Tennessee and Georgia are getting some $39 million in federal grants under the American Rescue Plan Act, U.S. Health and Human Services officials say.
The money is intended to help the nonprofit agencies expand their primary health care infrastructure in medically underserved communities.
Another goal is bolstering efforts to combat COVID-19 locally with health center recipients allowed to use funding to secure freezers to store vaccines, purchase mobile vans to better reach and vaccinate marginalized communities or construct, renovate or expand their facilities and become more ready for future pandemics or public health challenges.
Among recipients is Chattanooga-based Erlanger Health Services, which operates three health centers for low-income and medically underserved people. The public hospital system is expected to see $661,766, according to HHS’s Health Resources & Administration.
Hamilton County’s Health Department will receive $88,525.