PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island will receive eight awards totaling $774,322 for health center quality improvements and to provide comprehensive care.
Rhode Island health centers will utilize the funds to expand current quality improvement systems and infrastructure and to improve primary care service delivery for the local communities, according to a news release issued Thursday from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Funding is provided by the Affordable Care Act’s Community Health Center Fund and was extended with bipartisan support in the 2015 Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. The funds were awarded to health centers based on high levels of performance in one or more categories including improving quality of care, advancing health equity, maintaining patient-centered medical recognition, enhancing access to care, and delivering value.
Rhode Island health centers that are receiving funds are:
- Blackstone Valley Community Health Care Inc., Pawtucket: $130,002
- Comprehensive Community Action Inc., Providence: $88,655
- East Bay Community Action Program, East Providence: $74,027
- Northwest Community Health Care, Burrillville: $92,376
- The Providence Community Health Centers Inc., Providence: $109,886
- Thundermist Health Center, Woonsocket: $166,036
- Tri-Town Economic Opportunity Committee, Johnston: $45,627
- Wood River Health Services Inc., Hopkinton: $67,713
Said Dr. Mary Wakefield, acting deputy secretary of U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, “These quality improvement awards will support health centers to continue to deliver superior health care that engages patients, improves care coordination and bridges overall access to care.”
According to HHS, more than $100 million was awarded to 1,304 health centers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and seven territories for quality improvement efforts.
