The Department of Health awarded grants to 16 health care providers throughout the state for community health care service expansion projects in rural and underserved areas.
“The department is very excited to fund these community-based health care projects,” said LDH Secretary Frederick P. Cerise, MD, MPH. “I commend these applicants for developing innovative projects that will enhance preventive and primary health care in communities throughout the state,” he said.
Type I grantees are Southwest Louisiana Primary Health Care, Inc. in St. Landry Parish, Bunkie General Hospital in Avoyelles Parish, Morehouse General Hospital in Morehouse Parish, The Multipractice Clinic in Tangipahoa Parish and Innis Community Health Center in Pointe Coupee Parish.
Type II grantees are Bayou Teche Rural Health Network in St. Mary Parish, Terrebonne General Medical Center in Terrebonne Parish, St. Charles Community Health Center in St. Charles Parish, EXCELth, Inc. in Orleans Parish, Southeast Louisiana Area Health Education Center in Tangipahoa Parish, Huey P. Long Medical Center in Rapides Parish, Richland Parish Hospital in Richland Parish, Union General Hospital in Union Parish, Outpatient Medical Center in Natchitoches Parish, St. Vincent De Paul in East Baton Rouge Parish and Jefferson Davis Parish Council on Aging in Jefferson Davis Parish.
Type I grant awards were allocated to support medically underserved communities in their efforts to attain a federally qualified health center designation and funding from the federal Bureau of Primary Care. Applicants were eligible for up to $100,000.
Type II grant awards supported projects aimed at maintaining, expanding or enhancing access to primary and preventive health care services. Applicants could request up to $50,000.
The grants were awarded through the Bureau of Primary Care and Rural Health’s Community-based and Rural Health Program. The $1 million program was funded through an appropriation from the Louisiana State Legislature in the 2004 session. Public or nonprofit health care organizations located in a rural area, a health professional shortage area or any underserved area identified through legislation could apply for one of two types of grants to fund health care projects.
Eight Type I grant applications were received, and the Bureau awarded five grants ranging from $88,400 to $100,000. Thirty-one Type II grant applications were submitted, and the Bureau granted 11 awards, ranging from $18,900 to $50,000.
Funded projects include federally qualified health center developmental activities, rural health clinic development, dental and mental health service expansions, prescription medication assistance programs, a mobile health unit, a diabetic eye screening program, an electronic medical records system, health and wellness management software and telemedicine and telehealth equipment.