DAVENPORT, Iowa — Community Health Care Inc. in Davenport, Iowa is set to receive $600,000 in federal funding to expand its mental health and substance abuse services. This boost comes as part of a $240 million initiative announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to help health centers nationwide meet the increasing demand for these essential services.
CEO Tom Bowman highlighted the significant role this funding will play, particularly in a community where over 60 percent of patients rely on Medicaid. "If they're not covered under Medicaid, they can get a sliding-fee where all the services they receive on a specific day are offered at a discounted rate based on their income level," Bowman said. The remaining patients at Community Health Care Inc. are covered by Medicare or are uninsured, making affordability and accessibility critical issues.
Despite the critical care these facilities provide, current resources fall short. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that health centers across the nation can only meet 27 percent of the demand for mental health services and just 6 percent of the demand for substance use disorder treatment.
This new funding aims to change that. Bowman explained that the money will be used to hire more staff, including a new psychiatric nurse practitioner starting in November and an additional community health worker. These hires are expected to expand access to vital services for patients struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues.
“We’re proud to offer a one-stop shop for preventative health, including mental health, dental, chronic disease, and pharmacy services, all aimed at making care more affordable for patients,” Bowman said.
Community Health Care Inc. is just one of seven facilities in Iowa receiving a share of $4.2 million in federal support. The funds will help them continue to serve the more than 50,000 patients they expect to see this year.
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