Thad Cochran: “Community health centers provide care for over 15 million patients nationwide each year and are a critical part of our…”

“Community health centers provide care for over 15 million patients nationwide each year and are a critical part of our country's health care network. Many of these centers operate out of buildings that are in need of modernization or expansion. Current law limits access to federal funds to community health centers for any type of construction, modernization, or expansion. Therefore, the only funds available to community health centers for facilities are through congressionally directed spending. We are introducing a bill today to include community health centers as eligible recipients for funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Small Medical Group Facilities Program. Under this competitive program, community health centers will be able to access loan guarantees and mortgage insurance, thus giving them a tool to address their facility concerns and by doing so, better serve their patients. I am pleased to offer this legislation that will help improve access to and quality of community health center care.”