Pelosi issues statement on HHS announcement of $727 million in grants

Speaker Pelosi issued the following statement today after Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced $727 million in grants to community health centers across the nation, including more than $4 million to San Francisco's South of Market Health Center and $91.5 million for California, as part of the Affordable Care Act. 

"Increasing access to affordable medical care was a top priority for health insurance reform, so that millions of Americans will no longer fall through the cracks in our health care system. Community health centers play a vital role in achieving this goal by providing care for the uninsured, those who have lost their jobs, and the homeless.  Working in underserved neighborhoods and with our most vulnerable citizens, community health centers ensure that every American can have access to quality care. 

"Today's announcement is a down payment on health reform's $11 billion investment in community health centers over the next five years. These funds will help construct new clinics, expand and improve current facilities, and keep clinics open in tough times. This builds on the Recovery Act's $2 billion investment for community health centers, which have already paid dividends by creating jobs and expanding health choices for millions of Americans. 

"In my district of San Francisco, more than $11 million in Affordable Care Act and Recovery Act funds to South of Market Health Center, Mission Neighborhood Health Centers, Community Access HCCN, North East Medical Services and the San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium will ensure that these outstanding providers can continue to offer culturally-competent care for thousands of San Franciscans who would not otherwise be served."