People and communities are healthier thanks to the investment in America’s Health Centers from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), or the “economic stimulus.” The law, enacted one year ago this week, provided funds that helped health centers expand care to the growing numbers of jobless and uninsured people who were quickly filling up their waiting rooms. ARRA funds made it possible for health centers to increase capacity in variety of ways in response to the surge in demand. Whether it was expanding a facility, building a new one, expanding hours of operation or hiring a new dentist or clinician, the ARRA investment in health centers is making a difference.
“The economic stimulus investment in health centers will make it possible to reach nearly 2.9 million new patients, and already they’ve seen the largest influx of new patients in the history of the program.”
“The recession has brought new patients to the doors of health centers in communities all over the country,” said Dan Hawkins, Senior Vice President of Public Policy for the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). “The economic stimulus investment in health centers will make it possible to reach nearly 2.9 million new patients, and already they’ve seen the largest influx of new patients in the history of the program.”
Signed on February 17, 2009, the economic stimulus bill provided a one-time funding of $2 billion for health centers to expand care and create jobs. Since the economic stimulus funding was allocated, health centers have been able to expand their reach to 1.8 million patients, including more than 600,000 uninsured individuals. Also, a new report issued today reveals that the ARRA investment in health centers has helped make the economy healthier and will generate $3.2 billion in economic activity. That’s an estimated return on investment of nearly $2 for every $1 spent, according to report by the Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.
“The economic stimulus funding was the right medicine at the right time and one year later the investment is still delivering results,” said Hawkins. “It is important to remember, however, that this was one-time funding at a time when many states continue to face a growing demand for services while dealing with significant budget shortfalls. Continued and sustained support of health centers is critical because more people in America will struggle to find access to affordable health care while states slash funding for their health programs.”
Nationally, uninsured patient visits are up by 21 percent and are likely to continue increasing as the economic recession lingers.