WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released more than -- $5.2 million to strengthen services offered at twenty-four community health centers in Virginia as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The grants will be used by health centers over the next two years to create or save staff positions at a time when clinics have seen increasing number of patients who lack health insurance during this economic downturn. Health centers deliver preventive and primary care services to patients regardless of their ability to pay. Charges for services are set according to income.

“Located predominately in inner-city and rural communities where health care can be inaccessible or otherwise unaffordable, community health centers serve as a safety net for Virginians who wouldn’t otherwise have the means to see a primary care doctor,” said Senator Webb. “This funding will help communities provide high-quality health care to those who are uninsured during this difficult economic time.”

“These grants will help expand access to high quality health care service for Virginians who don’t have insurance, while creating and preserving health care provider jobs as well, especially in some of our rural areas,” Senator Warner said.

Virginia’s grant recipients are listed below:

NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services, Inc., Alexandria -- -- $300,177
Loudoun Community Health Center, Leesburg -- $100,000
Greater Prince William Community Health Center, Woodbridge -- $100,000

RICHMOND AND SURROUNDING AREAS
Daily Planet, Richmond -- $179,035
Vernon J. Harris East End CHC, Richmond -- $223,889

TIDEWATER
Eastern Shore Rural Health System, Inc., Nassawadox -- $381,599
Peninsula Institute for Community Health, Newport News -- $404,653
Portsmouth Community Health Center, Inc, Portsmouth -- $217,721
Horizon Health Services, Inc., Ivor -- $128,329

SOUTHSIDE
Boydton Community Health Facility, Inc., Boydton -- $145,367
Piedmont Access to Health Services (Paths), Danville -- $189,738
Martinsville Henry County Coalition for Health and Wellness, Martinsville -- $120,228
Central Virginia Health Services, New Canton -- $606,087
Southern Dominion Health Systems, Inc., Victoria -- $232,365

CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Johnson Health Center, Lynchburg -- $232,564
Blue Ridge Medical Center, Inc., Arrington -- $239,719

SHENANDOAH VALLEY
Harrisonburg Community Health Center, Inc., Harrisonburg -- $100,000
Highland Medical Center, Inc., Monterey -- $116,106

ROANOKE & SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
Bland County Medical Clinic, Inc., Bastian -- $159,956
Clinch River Health Services, Inc., Dungannon -- $128,894
Laurel Fork Health Commission, Inc., Laurel Fork -- $172,289
Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems, Inc., Saltville -- $295,780
St. Charles Health Council, Inc., St. Charles -- $325,085
Kuumba Comm. Health & Wellness Center, Roanoke -- $140,177

Grantees submitted plans explaining how the funds would be used, which include strategies to expand services, including the addition of new providers, expanded hours of operation or expanded services.

These awards are the second set of health center grants provided through the Recovery Act. On March 2, President Obama announced grants worth -- $155 million to establish 126 new health centers. Those grants will provide access to health center care for 750,000 people in 39 states and two territories.

To find a health center near you or to learn more about health centers, visit http://bphc.hrsa.gov/.