$5.5 Million to Improve Neighborcare Health’s North End Clinics – And Create Jobs Too!
Fri, 2012-05-04
Earlier this week, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced a $730 million federal grant program being rolled out this year, aimed at boosting access to health care and creating related jobs. Neighborcare Health was awarded two separate grants to address facility needs in Seattle's north end.
A $500,000 grant will support a project to improve the facilities at Neighborcare's 45th Street Medical & Dental Clinic. The project will consolidate medical services on one floor, enlarge the waiting room area and improve accessibility for disabled patients to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
A $5,000,000 grant will support construction of a new facility for Neighborcare's Greenwood Medical Clinic, the smallest clinic in the Neighborcare system, which faces significant challenges in meeting demand for care from the surrounding neighborhoods. The new facility will double the number of exam rooms, and create more efficient space to deliver services. The project's goal is to double access to vital primary health care for the community, and allow the clinic to increase the scope of services provided on-site.
The north end of Seattle where these two clinics are located isn’t typically thought of as low-income. But, only 30% of the area’s 68,000 low-income residents are reached by a community health center, the lowest percentage in Seattle’s neighborhoods.
Patients, like Jose C, will undoubtedly be delighted to hear the news about these grants. “I would love to see Greenwood Medical clinic grow so that it can better serve patients like my son, who is autistic and doesn’t do well in a cramped area. I love my son’s doctor and the staff. They have been taking good care of him and I am so pleased to have this clinic in the community. Each community must have at least one clinic like this.”
Neighborcare Health is grateful for these grants, and the opportunity to increase patient access, as well as jobs in Seattle. This funding will make up the core of the revenue needed to carry out the projects. As we plan for the rest of the construction financing, we will seek community guidance and support – soon we will report out on our findings on future community involvement in helping us raise the funds to complete these projects.
To read the press release issued by Secretary Sebelius about the grants, click here.
