This Funding will Allow Local Nonprofit Organization & Free Clinic GoochlandCares to Expand its Transportation Program & Extend the Reach of its Healthcare Services

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden today signed into law U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger’s legislation to provide $15,000 to GoochlandCares — a local nonprofit organization and free clinic with a mission to provide healthcare to elderly, low-income, and disabled Goochland residents — to increase access to healthcare in Goochland County.

The funding — which Spanberger successfully secured as part of a House and Senate-passed fiscal year (FY) 2022 appropriations package — will be used by GoochlandCares to purchase a second van for its transportation program, increasing the program’s efficiency and the number of people that can be transported to healthcare appointments, the pharmacy, and additional healthcare-related destinations each day.

“The value of strengthening transportation services cannot be overlooked, particularly in Virginia’s rural communities. GoochlandCares already provides invaluable healthcare services to the greater Goochland community — but additional funding for transportation will help them reach more patients and families in need,” said Spanberger. “I want to thank GoochlandCares for their commitment to patient-centered care, and I am proud to see this funding now head straight to Goochland to make an immediate impact.”

“Rising gas prices, a lack of public transportation, and the size of rural Goochland County presents challenges for many residents in accessing healthcare and basic human services. For over 30 years, GoochlandCares provided rides only to medical services for our low-income, elderly, or disabled neighbors. We slowly expanded the scope of our transportation program to improve access to other basic needs programs such as food, clothing, and activities of daily living. GoochlandCares’ transportation services are more critical than ever,” said Sally Graham, Founder & Executive Director, GoochlandCares. “This funding will support our ability to grow services to meet the transportation needs of Goochland’s vulnerable community residents.”

“We are extremely grateful for the support and advocacy of Congresswoman Spanberger on behalf of Virginia’s network of free and charitable clinics, who play an important role in safeguarding the state’s underserved populations,” said Rufus Phillips, CEO, Virginia Association of Free & Charitable Clinics. “The Goochland Cares Transportation Project will enable greater access to critical healthcare services for vulnerable residents of that community who would otherwise go without.”

Access to transportation is a key social determinant of health in rural Goochland County. The funding allocated in this project will allow GoochlandCares to increase its reach and serve additional patients.

BACKGROUND

This year, the U.S. House of Representatives implemented a new effort as part of its annual appropriations process, which allowed for specific Community Project Funding requests — like the GoochlandCares transportation program enhancement. Spanberger worked directly with community leaders in all 10 counties of the Seventh District to gather community-focused requests for her submissions. Click here for a full list of her submissions.

The Community Project Funding process was created to ensure that Members of Congress, in concert with the communities they represent, may submit direct applications for federal funding to support locally planned projects as part of the yearly appropriations process.

To be eligible, projects must be sponsored by local or state government entities or non-profit organizations and must be projects that would otherwise meet the qualifications to apply for federal grant funding. The purpose of Community Project Funding is to ensure direct, local engagement as part of the federal appropriations process. In line with this goal, funding applications must demonstrate significant local support for the projects. 

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