U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth announced on June 2 that Illinois institutions will receive $69,081,227 in grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Of this amount, approximately $67.7 million was awarded through the Health Resources & Services Administration’s Health Center Program (H80), which provides federal funding to health centers serving medically underserved communities. An additional $1.4 million will support rural health care programs, addiction treatment initiatives, and community-based dental programs.
“Illinoisans deserve to have quality, accessible health care. These grants are bringing much needed resources to the community health centers, counties, and non-profits that are providing their patients with the treatments and preventative care they need,” Durbin said.
Duckworth said, “Investing in our world-renowned medical institutions and research facilities is critical in helping ensure high quality health care for all Illinoisans. I will keep working with Senator Durbin to make sure our health organizations have the federal support they need to continue key research while advancing medical treatments for patients and families across Illinois.”
Recipients of H80 grants include Asian Human Services Family Health Center ($1,715,447), Whiteside County ($1,045,348), Inner City Muslim Action Network ($649,283), Hamdard Center for Health & Human Services ($905,932), Heartland Community Health Clinic ($1,825,640), University of Illinois ($2,260,945), Friend Family Health Center Inc. ($2,828,061), Alivio Medical Center Inc. ($2,188,237), Henderson County Rural Health Center Inc. ($769,678), Community Health Partnership of Illinois ($2,565,875), as well as several other organizations across the state.
Other HHS grant recipients include Southern Illinois University for its Addiction Medicine Fellowship program ($319,627); Wabash General Hospital District for its Rural Health Development Program ($300,000); University of Illinois for a Community Based Dental Partnership Program ($277,510) and a Primary Care Training program integrating behavioral health with primary care services ($400,000); and Henderson County Rural Health Center Inc., which received $100,000 through the Rural Health Network Development Planning Program.
Durbin has aided Illinois residents by addressing federal agency issues; promoted various health programs; participated in Senate committees focused on judiciary matters as well as agriculture; supported community efforts such as facilitating immigration processes; represented Illinois in the U.S. Senate while convening bipartisan congressional delegations; advocated for childhood asthma programs and medical research; and held a leadership position as Senate Democratic Whip—placing second among Senate Democrats—according to the official website.
