Health centers in Kansas and Missouri approved for millions in federal coronavirus aid
Community health centers in the Kansas City area are set to receive millions in federal aid to help them cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday that it has awarded combined $27.7 million to 29 community health centers in Missouri and $15.4 million to 19 health centers in Kansas as part of the federal stimulus package passed by Congress last month.
The recipients include several clinics in the Kansas City region that serve vulnerable populations: Swope Health Services in Kansas City will receive nearly $1.7 million; Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center, also in Kansas City, will receive $1.1 million; the Kansas City CARE Clinic will receive $838,175; and Turner House Clinic in Kansas City, Kansas, will receive $765,185.
The aid comes at a time when community health care centers are facing a financial strain as the COVID-19 pandemic forces them to halt preventative and elective care. The Star reported last week that Kansas’ 18 federally qualified health centers stood to lose an estimated $13 million over 3 months.
“These health centers are our first line of defense in many underserved communities,” Sen Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, said in an email. “Kansans rely on them and I’m pleased these grants are moving to our state so quickly to provide much needed care.”
Denise Cyzman, the CEO of the Community Care Network of Kansas, said in an email that the funding bill a significant help to health centers and offset a portion of their revenue losses. But she also noted that health centers are facing greater operational costs during the pandemic and that many nonprofit clinics in the state were not eligible for the federal aid.
Faisal Khan, the CEO of Rodgers Health Center, said in an email that the funds would cover the health center’s operational costs for four to six weeks.
“The most important asset we have are our clinical team. Keeping them healthy, safe and employed so that they can care for our patients during the pandemic as well as after it, remains our top priority,” Khan said.
This story was originally published April 7, 2020 at 5:12 PM.
