Tennessee, Georgia health centers to receive $39 million to help underserved, aid vaccinations

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Erlanger Medical Center, on East Third Street, is seen on June 24, 2021.
Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Erlanger Medical Center, on East Third Street, is seen on June 24, 2021.

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.

Nationwide, the Biden administration says there are $952.25 million in funds intended to modernize the health centers and support health care services.

In Tennessee, 25 nonprofit centers serving low-income and medically underserved communities and populations are being awarded a total of $16.5 million to expand their primary health care infrastructure.

Erlanger spokeswoman Blaine Kelley did not respond to a Times Free Press message request Wednesday on Erlanger's planned use of the money.

Across the border in Georgia, 33 centers will see $22.9 million, according to federal officials.

Among them is Ringgold-based North Georgia Healthcare Center, which is slated to receive $529,660.

"What we are looking at doing is expanding a little bit," said health center president and CEO DeLaine Tucker.

The center previously purchased an adjacent property, she said.

"We're looking at doing some additional services," Tucker said, a list that includes some work force services for veterans and wellness activities.

Plans also call for adding pediatric services. The facility, which now serves some 3,000 people, could extend its reach to some 2,000 more with the new outreach to veterans and children, Tucker said.

"We will be building from scratch," Tucker said, noting the yet-to-be-built building will serve as a pediatric clinic for children with medical offices. The building also could do double duty as an intake center and site for some workforce activities and possibly help veterans get benefits to access health services.

Rossville, Ga.-based Primary Health Care Center of Dade Inc. is scheduled to receive $707,776.

The resue plan funding for Tennessee is expected to support 34 projects by recipient centers.

"We are very excited," said Libby Thurman, interim executive director with the Tennessee Primary Care Association, which is comprised of the nonprofit health centers.

Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550. Follow on Twitter @AndySher1.

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