The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently announced a supplemental funding opportunity for expanding services at current Health Center Program grantees for fiscal year 2014.  Applicants must use at least half of any requested funds to “expand primary medical care services to new patients.”  Applications for the funding are due by 5:00 pm EST on July 1, 2014.  HRSA anticipates awarding the $300 million in total funds by September 2014. 

Applicants for the supplemental funds “must propose to expand existing primary care medical capacity by adding new medical providers, expanding hours of operations, and/or increasing the availability of currently approved medical services.”  In addition, applicants may “propose to utilize up to half of their Expanded Services funds to increase capacity . . . to provide one or more of the following: Oral health services, Behavioral health services, Pharmacy services, and Vision services.” 

HRSA will award the approximately $300 million available for 2014 based on the following formula: A base amount of $178,000 per applicant, plus an additional $2.00 per health center patient, plus an additional $4.00 per health center uninsured patient.  According to HRSA, “[f]unding allocations will be determined based on each Health Center Program grantee’s 2013 Uniform Data System (UDS) report, or the most recent UDS report available.”  Because the total amount of disbursements is capped at $300 million, HRSA clarifies that it may “adjust award amounts consistent with funds available for this supplemental opportunity.” 

HRSA’s announcement is available here.

Reporter, Daniel J. Hettich, Washington D.C., +1 202 626 9128, dhettich@kslaw.com.