Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski has announced that the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine will recieve $3,240,745 in federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services through the Health Center Cluster program. The program was created to support community health centers acting as a safety net for underserved, underinsured and vulnerable populations.
“Local community health centers are a vital resource for folks across Southern and Central Illinois, especially those who struggle to afford or access care,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “I’m pleased to announce that $3.2 million from the Department of Health and Human Services will be awarded to the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine to improve their facilities and support community health here in Springfield.”
The Health Center Cluster Grant Program exists to provide financial assistance to health centers to support the continuation of comprehensive primary health care services to underserved areas or populations. Health centers are community-based and patient-directed organizations that deliver comprehensive, culturally competent, high-quality primary health care services to the most vulnerable individuals and families - Integrating access to pharmacy, mental health, substance use disorder, and oral health services in areas where economic, geographic, or cultural barriers limit access to affordable health care.