From his perch on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, on Thursday, U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., announced federal funds to help community health centers in the Tampa Bay area.
Crist, who represents parts of Pinellas County, announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is sending almost $450,000 to the health centers to “help deliver quality healthcare to under- or non-insured Pinellas residents.”
The bulk of the funds, almost $300,000, will go to Community Health Centers of Pinellas which, the congressman’s office noted, is “the largest non-profit healthcare organization in the county serving over 55,000 residents.” County-run health centers will garner almost $162,500 in HHS funds.
Crist weighed in on the funds on Thursday.
“An investment in community healthcare is an investment in our future. This funding secures healthier futures for thousands of Pinellas residents,” said Crist. “Community Health Centers of Pinellas and all of our excellent low- to no-cost healthcare organizations help to remove the financial barrier to healthcare for our neighbors. This funding will allow these organizations to reach even more patients, helping to combat health disparities in low-income communities.”
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
