Published: July 09, 2009 09:44 pm      

Funding injection:

LAKE SHAWNEE — Three regional health centers, including the Bluestone Health Association Inc., with locations at Lake Shawnee and Montcalm, Tug River Health Association Inc., with locations in Gary and Northfork and the Monroe County Health Center in Union, will benefit from more than $1.6 million in federal funding, according to a press release from U.S. Senator John D. “Jay” Rockefeller IV, D-W.Va.

The three regional health centers were among 28 community health centers in West Virginia that received funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Rockefeller modeled the Capital Improvement Grants as part of legislation to create jobs for West Virginians according to the press release. U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., and U.S. Reps. Nick Rahall and Alan B. Mollohan, both West Virginia Democrats, joined Rockefeller in applauding the federal funding according to the press release.

“West Virginia’s community health centers are absolutely vital to people in rural and underserved areas of our state,” Rockefeller was quoted as stating in the press release. “These funds are so important for our clinics to make the updates they need,” he said. “Community health centers are the backbone of America’s health care safety net and it is essential that we keep them intact and up-to-date.”

Health centers throughout the U.S., are set to receive $851 million in Recovery Act funds with nearly $19 million of that figure going to the facilities in West Virginia, according to the press release. The centers in Mercer, Monroe and McDowell counties are in line to receive $1,640,467.

Linda Hutchens, chief executive officer of the Bluestone Health Association Inc., said that the Mercer County-based centers will use the federal funding to acquire a Patient Management System that will benefit both sites as well as an Electronic Health Records system that will help monitor patients at the Bluestone Center at Lake Shawnee and Prudich Medical Center in Montcalm.

“Our main goal is the electronic health record systems,” Hutchens said. She added that the centers hope to install disability accessible examination chairs at both sites as well as other needed computer gear. Hutchens said the funding represents a great benefit “to both centers,” she said.

During the next two years, health centers nationwide are set to receive $2 billion to serve more patients, support new and retained jobs, meet the increased demand for primary health care services and address the most urgent needs of health centers.

The Bluestone Health Association Inc., was awarded a $579,770 grant; Monroe County Health Center was awarded $569,585; and Tug River Health Assn., Inc., was awarded $491,112, according to the press release from Rockefeller’s office.

– Contact Bill Archer at barcher@bdtonline.com