Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., (GA-02) is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $4.8 million in Health Center Program grants to three healthcare centers headquartered in Blakely, Macon, and Columbus. The program funds local community-based clinics that treat medical, dental, and other health care needs with a focus on meeting the needs of the areas they serve.

“Community health centers are a vital component of America’s healthcare system and help us make sure care is available to everyone. They provide a wide range of services in a way that meets the unique needs of each community in which they operate,” said Congressman Bishop. “I will continue to work in Congress so that we can be a reliable partner and resource to Georgia’s health centers which are providing health care closer to home and improved quality of patient care and outcomes.”

The award recipients include:

• First Choice Primary Care, Inc. in Macon, GA, which received $1,525,300

• Primary Care of Southwest Georgia, Inc., in Blakely, GA, which received $1,859,631

• Valley Healthcare System, Inc., in Columbus, GA, which received $1,449,284

“Community health centers like ours depend on grant funding through the Bureau of Primary Health Care. The award announced today is the remainder of the funding for our health center’s base grant, which was made possible by the budget resolution passed in Congress last month,” said Katherine McLeod, CEO of First Choice Primary Care in Macon, Georgia. “Congressman Bishop has been a great advocate for the health center program, and we are very grateful for his steadfast support.  He knows how important it is for health centers to continue to offer high quality care to anyone, regardless of their ability to pay. We are also significant employers in our communities, and this funding is critically important for us to maintain and expand our workforce.”

“Valley Healthcare System Inc. is excited to announce the receipt of $1,449,286.00 from the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration to operate our Community Health Center.  This continued funding will allow us to serve residents of the Chattahoochee Valley regardless of their circumstances.  Our mission remains to remove the barriers that limit access to comprehensive healthcare services in our community.” said Dr. Asante Hilts, CEO of Valley Healthcare System Inc.

HHS helps fund over 1,400 health centers across the country which serve more than 30.5 million people at nearly 15,000 sites.

All three recipients have received previous awards through the program. In February Primary Care of Southwest Georgia, Inc. and First Choice Primary Care, Inc. were granted a combined total of $3.3 million. In 2019, Valley Healthcare System, Inc., was granted more than $1 million in funding.