HENRICO, V.A.  – U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today announced awards totaling $11,244,500 in American Rescue Plan funding to Central Virginia Health Services (CVHS) and Southern Dominion Health System (SDHS) to support COVID-19 vaccinations and related services for vulnerable populations.

These U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funds were made available as part of the American Rescue Plan, which Spanberger voted to pass and President Joe Biden signed into law earlier this month.

In Virginia’s Seventh District, CVHS operates the Health and Wellness Center of Louisa in Louisa County — and SDHS operates the Amelia Healthcare Center in Amelia County. These awards will allow these Virginia healthcare systems to expand COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, and treatment; deliver needed preventive and primary health care services to those at higher risk for COVID-19; and expand their operational capacities during the pandemic and beyond — including modifying and improving physical infrastructure and adding mobile care units.

“Community health centers are a key part of Virginia’s fight against COVID-19, particularly in our rural communities. This major investment will further empower local, trusted healthcare professionals to expand their local vaccination efforts as we bolster our response to the virus,” said Spanberger. “With this announcement, I’m glad to see American Rescue Plan funding going directly towards one of its key purposes — strengthening vaccination and testing operations in the Commonwealth and across the country. Through these funds, I’m hopeful that patients in both Louisa and Amelia will receive the additional, high-quality care they need as we work together to recover from this ongoing healthcare crisis.”

“Every American should have the security of knowing they have access to quality, affordable health care, especially as we face a pandemic that has exposed the disparities facing rural, minority, and lower-income communities,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “The Biden Administration is committed to getting help to those who need it most, and the communities hit hardest by COVID-19 will benefit from these critical investments.”

“Central Virginia Health Services greatly appreciates the investment in the federally qualified health centers made in  the American Rescue Plan.  CVHS will use the funds to support ongoing COVID testing and vaccination for patients across our substantial footprint across the Commonwealth.  Additionally, the funding will help CVHS further our mission to increase access to medical, dental, and behavioral health services,” said Paula A. Tomko, Chief Executive Officer, Central Virginia Health Services. “We appreciate the ongoing support of safety net providers throughout the pandemic.  Safety net providers, such as CVHS and other federally qualified community health centers and free clinics, treat some of the populations who have significantly limited access to services and resources, but have been impacted the most by COVID.”

“The community health centers in central Virginia are truly on the front lines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, while providing their business-as-usual services at the same time. The funding from the American Rescue Plan will be put to good use, helping our professionals not only test-for and treat COVID, but also develop and deploy innovative programs to get hard-to-reach communities vaccinated,” said Tracy Douglas-Wheeler, CEO, Virginia Community Healthcare Association. “We are grateful to Representative Spanberger for her support of our members’ work.”

The federal funds — awarded through HHS’s Health Resources and Services Administration — will be distributed starting in April 2021 as follows:

• HHS: A grant of $2,379,875 for Southern Dominion Health Systems to aid in its COVID-19 response.

• HHS: A grant of $8,864,625 for Central Virginia Health Services to aid in its COVID-19 response.

Click here for a list of locations operated by CVHS, and click here for more information on healthcare facilities operated by SDHS.

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