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County doesn't get federal funding for healthcare for poor residents
Monday, August 11, 2008
DAYTON — A new network of health clinics in Dayton that serves the area's poor has missed the cut for a federal certification that could have more than doubled its federal funding, its leaders said Monday, Aug. 11.
"I'm viewing it as a temporary setback," said Montgomery County Health Commissioner James Gross, board chairman for Community Health Centers of Greater Dayton. "All is not lost."
Community Health Centers opened July 7. It combines the Dr. Charles R. Drew, East Dayton and Corwin Nixon Community health centers under one umbrella in an effort to strengthen and increase access to primary care for the poor and vulnerable populations of Montgomery County. The nonprofit organization is a key component of the Montgomery County Healthcare Safety Net task force report released last month.
Gross said obtaining "federally qualified health center" status, a designation given clinics in rural and underserved areas, would have doubled Medicaid and Medicare funding for the Dayton center, plus provided $650,000 annually for operating costs. It would have allowed the center's clinics to expand hours and services, and also provided malpractice protection under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
The center will seek the status again in 2009, Gross said. In the meantime, it will continue operations as it applies for "look-a-like" status, which provides higher Medicaid and Medicaid reimbursements but not the operational funding and tort protection.
The Health Resources and Services Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced its grant winners late Friday. Out of 262 applications, it awarded $22 million to 42 new health center sites in 23 states, including one in Columbus and one in Marion.
"This is a very, very competitive grant process," said Shawn Frick, executive director of the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers. "I can assure you, I've seen (Dayton's) application and they certainly were (worthy of funding)."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7408 or agottschlich@DaytonDailyNews.com.
