FAITH-BASED, COMMUNITY-BASED, RURAL AND FEDERALLY-FUNDED HEALTH CENTERS - The Tennessee Tribune

Tennessee TRIBUNE, The
10-13-2005
RECEIVE NEARLY $5.7 MILLION TO SERVE THE UNINSURED

Governor Phil Bredesen and state Health Commissioner Kenneth S. Robinson,
M.D., announce the distribution of nearly $5.7 million to 60 faith based,
community-based, rural and federally-funded health centers across the
state. Recipients will provide services for the period from October 14,
2005, through June 30, 2006. Funding is being allocated proportionally to
the centers, based on the levels and types of services provided. The state
expects to announce a few additional endowment grant contracts next week,
bringing the total investment to $6 million. A complete list of the 60
health centers is included below. 'I want to thank the community,
non-profit and faith-based clinics that have stepped forward to participate
in this important program and that are a critical part of the healthcare
safety net in Tennessee,' said Governor Bredesen. 'The short-term
transitional programs that are part of the safety net are just that, but
the investments we make to expand the ability of various organizations to
provide primary care, behavioral health and pharmacy services benefit not
only those being disembroiled from TennCare but also the other 700,000
Tennesseans with no health insurance at all. These grants underscore the
point that we all need to begin thinking about the healthcare safety net in
a different way. Ultimately our state's solution to the needs of the
uninsured has to be a community solution that includes programs offered by
community clinics, faith-based organizations and advocacy groups as well as
the state Department of Health and other government agencies.'

By expanding the capacity of these centers, the state seeks to increase
access to basic primary care and the management of chronic health
conditions for uninsured Tennesseans. The endowment grants will support the
services provided by existing centers, highlighting the critical safety net
role they have played since before the inception of TennCare in 1994.
Eligible centers are required by contract to provide primary care services
to uninsured adults 19 years and older on a sliding fee scale, but may also
offer behavioral health and pharmacy services, and pharmacy assistance.
Centers are located in medically underserved areas (MUAs) or medically
underserved population (MUP) areas, serve medically underserved
populations, or have a MUA/MUP facility designation.

'These grants are representative of the Governor's groundbreaking approach
to expanding access to care and addressing the primary care needs of the
over 700,000 persons in our state without health insurance,' said
Commissioner Robinson. 'With this investment, we are offering financial
support to some of the most experienced centers in our communities,
dedicated to serving the uninsured.'

The deadline for applications for the endowment grant contracts was
September 15, 2005, however applications received after the deadline will
be kept in the event additional funding is made available.

Earlier this month, the state announced the distribution of $1.5 million to
the state's 23 federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and FQHC
look-alikes, the first of four quarterly grant distributions totaling $6
million in financial assistance. These funds will be used to expand the
centers' capacity to provide primary care services to uninsured Tennesseans
at 90 clinics operated by the FQHCs and look-alikes. Effective September 1,
2005, through June 30, 2006, the grants are being allocated proportionally
among all of the FQHCs in the state based on each center's number of
medical encounters with TennCare patients or persons who were uninsured for
the previous quarter.

In May, Governor Bredesen accepted the recommendations of his Task Force on
the Healthcare Safety Net, and worked with the General Assembly to fund a
$104 Million proposal for essential safety net expansions.

PRIMARY CARE EXPANSION ENDOWMENT GRANT RECIPIENTS

LOCATION HEALTH CENTER SERVICES GRANT AMOUNT

Chattanooga/Hamilton Co. Project Access $62,500.00

Davidson Christian Family Medical Clinic, Elm Hill Pike $180,000.00

Davidson Christian Family Medical Clinic, Southern Hill $180,000.00

Davidson Christian Family Medical Clinic, Rivergate $180,000.00

Davidson University Community Health Services, Inc. $120,000.00

Davidson Siloam Family Health Center $180,000.00

Davidson Faith Family Medical Clinic $95,625.00

Davidson Nashville General Hosp. at Meharry $150,000.00

Davidson Saint Thomas Hospital - West $127,500.00

East TN-Union Caring Medical Center $40,625.00

East TN-CampbellWynn Habersham Rural Health Clinic $62,500.00

East TN-Campbell Charles E. Wilkens, M.D.P.C. $40,625.00

East TN-SevierMountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic, Inc. $75,000.00

Southeast-Meigs R. Shane Roberts, M.D. $ 40,625.00

Knoxville/Knox Co. Baptist Health System Foundation $89,375.00

Knoxville/Knox Co. InterFaith Health Clinic $180,000.00

Knoxville/Knox Co. Volunteer Ministry Center $75,000.00

Knoxville/Knox Co. Knoxville Area Project Access $127,500.00

Memphis/Shelby Co. Wellington Clinic $150,000.00

Memphis/Shelby Co. South Third Center $150,000.00

Memphis/Shelby Co. South Memphis Center $150,000.00

Memphis/Shelby Co. Mid-South Center $150,000.00

Memphis/Shelby C Hollywood Center $150,000.00

Memphis/Shelby Co. Guthrie Center $150,000.00

Memphis/Shelby Co. Cawthon Center $150,000.00

Memphis/Shelby Co. Bisson Center $150,000.00

Memphis/Shelby Co. Frayser Center $150,000.00

Memphis/Shelby Co. American Way Center $150,000.00

Memphis/Shelby Co. Church Health Center $180,000.00

Mid-Cumberland-Rutherford Rutherford County Primary Care Clinic, Inc.
$180,000.00

Mid-Cumberland-Rutherford Eagleville Clinic $50,000.00

Northeast-Carter/Johnson Mountain City Extended Hours Health Center
$74,375.00

Northeast-Johnson Johnson City Medical Group/Johnson City Health Ctr.
$50,000.00

Northeast-Unicoi ETSU Physicians & Associates $37,500.00

South Central-Coffee Partners for Healing $75,000.00

South Central-Bedford Bedford Urgent Care $87,500.00

South Central-Bedford Unionville Family Practice $87,500.00

South Central-Bedford Dr. Lynette Adams $112,500.00

South Central-Hickman Hickman Community Health Services $40,625.00

South Central-Bedford The Community Clinic of Shelbyville and Bedford
County $37,500.00

Sullivan Friends In Need Health Center, Inc $37,500.00

Upper Cumberland-Putnam Putnam County Rural Health Clinic, Inc. - Monterey
$56,875.00

Upper Cumberland-White Cumberland Family Care, P.C. Sparta Clinic
$95,625.00

Upper Cumberland-Van Buren Cumberland Family Care, P.C. Van Buren Clinic
$95,625.00

Upper Cumberland-MaconHope Family Health Services $52,500.00

Upper Cumberland-Cumberland CMC Physicians Group $56,875.00

Upper Cumberland-Cumberland CMC Physicians Group - Crab Orchard $40,625.00

West TN-Madison East Jackson Family Medical Center $137,500.00

West TN-Fayette Paul E. Scates M.D., P.C. Family Medicine $52,500.00

West TN-Henderson Lexington Medical Clinic $37,500.00

West TN-Chester Family Clinic of Henderson $37,500.00

West TN-Crockett Bells Medical Clinic $37,500.00

West TN-Hardeman Barham Family Practice $37,500.00

West TN-Decatur Jennings Family Medical Practice $67,500.00

West TN-Hardeman/Fayette New Hope Family Health Center $37,500.00

West TN-Fayette The Oakland Clinic Primary Care, PLLC $52,500.00

West TN-Hay wood Professional Care Services, Haywood Co. $53,125.00

West TN-Tipton Professional Care Services, Tipton Co. $53,125.00

West TN-Lauderdale Professional Care Services, Lauderdale Co. $53,125.00

West TN-Fayette Professional Care Services, Fayette Co. $53,125.00

TOTAL $5,665,000.00.

Article copyright Tennessee Tribune.
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