WASHINGTON (March 29, 2009) – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released $270,372 to expand services at Greater Baden Medical Services, operating community health clinics in Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s Counties. The funding was made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, passed by Congress and signed by President Obama, and is part of a $338 million allocation that will be distributed to 1,128 federally qualified health center grantees across the country. The announcement came from Congressman Steny Hoyer's office on Friday.
“Greater Baden Medical Services has provided critical health care to individuals and families throughout our area for nearly three decades,” stated Congressman Steny Hoyer. “This grant will enhance the clinic’s ability to continue that service and better attend to the health needs of those who might not otherwise get the care they require.”
Approximately $4 billion dollars from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is in the pipeline for Maryland, said Hoyer.
The nationally-distributed grants were provided for the purpose of expanding services at community health centers, which may include but are not limited to, adding new providers, expanding hours of operations or expanding services. Grant recipients were selected through a competitive process, under the Increased Demand for Services (IDS) grant program.
Founded in 1972, Greater Baden Medical Services, Inc. is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving communities in southern Prince George’s County, Charles County, and St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Comprised of seven health centers, Greater Baden Medical Services provides a spectrum of services, including family health and dental care, immunizations, mental health, lab tests, and health education and outreach.
The IDS 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.
For more information on Greater Baden Medical Services, Inc. visit www.gbms.org. To learn more about health centers, visit http://bphc.hrsa.gov/.