14.7 Million for Two Oklahoma CHCs

President Obama announced American Recovery and Reinvestment Act awards to support projects at community health centers (CHCs), including two in Oklahoma.  Great Salt Plains Health Center of Cherokee received $2.8 million and Variety Care of Oklahoma City received $11.9 million for facility expansion projects.

“We are thrilled that two health centers in Oklahoma were selected,” said Greta Stewart, Executive Director of Oklahoma Primary Care Association.  “Continuing to expand facilities and offer more high quality primary care services to Oklahomans who need it most is a priority of community health centers.”

Grants are provided through the Facility Investment Program (FIP) to address health center facility needs, including major construction and renovation projects.  The awards are expected to create new job opportunities and provide more Oklahomans in underserved areas.

“This program will allow us to expand our services, including incorporating dental and behavioral health into the primary care model under one roof,” said Tim Starkey, Executive Director of Great Salt Plains Health Center.

In 2008, CHCs served approximately 102,000 patients statewide.  CHCs are patient-centered medical homes that offer high quality primary, oral and behavioral health care delivery, along with many other preventive and primary care services. CHCs receive a federal grant along with support from a variety of sources including patients, foundations and other funding sources.

 CHCs work with local providers to establish seamless systems of affordable, high quality health care available to everyone -- including those with Medicaid, Medicare, no insurance, major medical coverage, or full-coverage insurance. 

In addition to charging on income-based sliding fee scales, patients receive significant savings on prescription drug costs due to CHC participation in the federal 340B drug pricing program.

Oklahoma Primary Care Association is the state association for Oklahoma’s community health centers and other safety-net providers.  For more information on community health centers in Oklahoma, please visit www.okpca.org or contact Oklahoma Primary Care Association at (405) 424-2282.