Sarbanes Applauds $1.6 Million Investment in Maryland's Community Health Centers
July 10, 2013
Funding will provide uninsured Marylanders with information about affordable health insurance options
WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today applauded U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius' announcement that community health centers in Maryland will receive more than $1.6 million in funding through the health care reform law to enroll uninsured people into affordable coverage plans.
"Community health centers are critical to our state's health care infrastructure and, for many families, they serve as a home base for the primary care they need," said Congressman Sarbanes. "This federal funding will help provide information about affordable coverage options to thousands of uninsured people who have struggled without it."
Maryland is home to 16 community health centers that operate 136 sites throughout the state. Last year, these centers served nearly 300,000 patients, a quarter of which were uninsured.
With this funding, 28 additional workers will be hired to give more than 40,000 uninsured Marylanders important information about coverage options through the Maryland Health Connection, the state's new health insurance marketplace; determine eligibility for Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program, or other financial assistance programs; and enroll patients in health coverage plans. Open enrollment in the new health insurance marketplace begins October 1, 2013.
To learn more about the health care reform law, please visit www.HealthCare.gov
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