Sen. Murray Announces Grants to Improve Health Centers in Washington State

Grants will help health centers expand primary care services, improve access to quality, affordable health care

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, announced that Washington state is receiving over $15 million in Affordable Care Act grants from the Department of Health and Human Services to support health centers and expand primary care services.

“Today’s announcement is great news for Washington state as we continue to build a health care system that works for families and puts their needs first. This investment means families throughout our state will have an easier time getting primary health care they need, including dental, vision, and pharmacy services, ” said Senator Murray. “I’m committed to continuing to move our health care system forward with more coverage, more affordability, and higher quality care, and these grants represent an important step in the right direction for many Washington state families.”  

Washington state will receive 25 Expanded Services awards totaling $8,537,753 to increase access to services such as medical, oral, behavioral, pharmacy, and vision care. Additionally, it will receive 7 Health Infrastructure Investment Program awards totaling $7,000,000 for facility renovation, expansion, or construction to increase patient or service capacity.

Since the beginning of 2009, health centers have added 6 million patients, and are now serving nearly 23 million people each year. Today, over 1,300 health center grantees operate approximately 9,000 clinic sites in every state and U.S. territory. Read more about the grants here.