Providence, RI – Today U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman David Cicilline announced a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration to support improvements to facilities at the East Bay Community Action Program’s (EBCAP) Family Health Center in East Providence. 

The grant comes as part of nationwide Affordable Care Act (ACA) funds to help health centers that have achieved the patient-centered medical home designation – like EBCAP’s Family Health Center – pay for construction and renovations at existing facilities.  The federal funding is going to 147 patient-centered medical homes at health centers around the country.  The grant for EBCAP will be used to build additional examination rooms for patients seeking primary medical care.

“I am pleased to have helped secure federal funding to refurbish and improve facilities and equipment at EBCAP’s Family Health Center in East Providence.  Adding examination rooms and medical equipment will help EBCAP continue to effectively serve local residents and provide comprehensive, integrated care that meets the needs of families in the east bay area,” said Senator Reed.

“Rhode Island’s community health centers are a key part of our health care system, providing patients with health and dental services at little or no cost,” said Whitehouse.  “This funding from the Affordable Care Act will enable EBCAP professionals to provide these services to even more East Bay residents, and I congratulate them on receiving this award.”

“East Bay Family Health Care fills a need in this community, making quality, affordable health care available to everyone,” said Cicilline. “Congratulations on securing this federal grant to expand and provide more high-quality and cost-efficient health care services to East Bay residents.”

EBCAP’s East Bay Family Health Care-East Providence is staffed by experienced board-certified family medicine physicians and other professionals who care for patients of all ages.  Services at the health centers include health insurance navigators, obstetrics, pediatrics, teen clinics, adult medicine, social services referrals and assistance from Health Advocates.  The facility has received the highest level of Recognition as a Patient-Centered Medical Home.  This recognition was awarded by the National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA).  The NCQA is a Recognition Program built on evidence-based, nationally recognized clinical standards, and its mission is to improve the quality of health care.

Patient-centered medical homes are advanced primary care practices that coordinate their patient’s care, communicate with other members of a patient’s care team, and often provide more accessible office hours.  Studies show patient-centered medical homes can reduce health care costs and improve patients’ health outcomes.

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