Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $4 Million in Funding for Genesee County and Great Lakes Bay Region Health Centers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced $4,573,645 in funding to help health centers in Genesee County and the Great Lakes Bay Region respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. Funding can be used by health centers for staffing, personal protective equipment, screening, testing, or other needs for fighting the coronavirus outbreak. This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and was included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was signed into law on March 27, 2020.

“As we work to address the Coronavirus pandemic, it is critical that health care professionals and clinics have the resources needed to provide quality health care during this public health crisis,” said Senator Peters. “I am pleased to see that the funding Senator Stabenow and I pushed for in the CARES Act is being allocated to community health centers all across the state. I’ll continue working to ensure community health centers can continue to provide quality care for Michiganders during this challenging time.”

“While working on the relief package from Congress, I fought to increase funding for health centers to help them meet the needs of the communities they serve during this crisis. The nurses, doctors and health care providers in these centers are on the frontlines of this public health crisis and have been challenged like never before. This funding will help meet the urgent need for personal protective equipment, test kits, and staffing in these centers. I’m grateful for their work keeping Michigan families safe,” said Senator Stabenow.

“Community health centers are key players in our nation’s response to COVID-19,” said Dennis Litos, interim chief executive officer of the Michigan Primary Care Association. “They’re testing, helping to stabilize people with chronic conditions, and caring for those who may need medical attention but do not meet the criteria for hospitalization — all under significant financial duress. We’re grateful to Sens. Stabenow and Peters for advocating for this critical funding, and we’re confident that they will continue to do so moving forward.”

Funding by Health Center:

Genesee Health System

-         $581,750

Great Lakes Bay Health Centers

-         $1,742,810

Hamilton Community Health Network, Inc.

-         $976,595

Isabella Citizens for Health, Inc.

-         $607,190

Sterling Area Health Center

-         $665,300

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