--Funds to provide primary health care to those who are unable to pay for private medical care--
CENTRAL, VA – Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Hanover) is delighted to announce that the Virginia Health Care Foundation (VHCF) has awarded $292,283 in grant funds to organizations in the 97th House District.
VHCF awarded $28, 399 to Access Now, a program which links the primary care which patients receive in safety net clinics to more advanced specialty care. Access Now has over 800 physician volunteers who ensure that no patient goes without specialty care based on need for a willing provider.
Henrico County Public Schools received $188,884 toward efforts to increase enrollment and retention of children and pregnant women from Henrico County in Virginia’s FAMIS programs. FAMIS stands for Family Access to Medical Insurance Security and is Virginia's health insurance program for children. It makes health care affordable for children of eligible families. FAMIS covers all the medical care growing children need to avoid getting sick, plus the medical care that will help them get better if they do get sick or get hurt.
Finally, Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic was granted $75,000 to support the salary and benefits of a psychiatric nurse practitioner enabling the clinic to provide behavioral health care to patients.
Operated by the Fredericksburg Area Regional Health Council, the Clinic provides primary health care to those who are unable to pay for private medical care. They offer a variety of medical and dental services for uninsured residents of Fredericksburg, Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties and is an accredited member of the Virginia Association of Free Clinics.
“With the downturn in the economy Virginia’s health care safety net providers have seen an increase in the need for services; the patient population has grown. These grants will enable providers to continue to meet the health care needs of consumers,” stated Peace.
The Virginia Health Care Foundation is a nonprofit organization that funds innovative initiatives to increase access to primary health care for uninsured and medically underserved Virginians, and strengthen Virginia’s health care safety net. This year the public/private partnership of VHCF awarded 26 grants totaling $2,397,902. VHCF was initiated in 1992 by the Virginia General Assembly and its Joint Commission on Health Care of which Delegate Peace is a member.
Delegate Christopher K. Peace was elected to his third term representing the 97th District of the Virginia House of Delegates. The District includes parts of Hanover, Caroline, King William, King and Queen, Henrico, Spotsylvania Counties and all of New Kent County.
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