In Brief: Community Health Centers Receive $29M In Grants; Health Net, Centene End Waiting Period
Community Health Centers Receive $29 Million In Federal Grants
Forty-eight community health centers throughout California have received $29 million worth of grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The money, which was authorized as part of the Affordable Care Act, is intended to expand care to 1.2 million patients across the country. Altogether, the HHS granted $169 million to 266 community health centers in 46 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
The grants range in size from $270,833 to $1.19 million and are expected to help serve 337,000 patients statewide.
“These Affordable Care Act funds build on the strong legacy of the health center program and provide even more individuals and families with access to the care they need the most,” said acting Deputy HHS Secretary Mary Wakefield.
Camino Health Center in Lake Forest, Community Health Centers of the Central Coast in Nipomo, Harmony Health Medical Clinic in Marysville, Livingston Community Health Services, San Bernardino County and Sierra Family Medical Clinic in Nevada City all received seven-figure grants.
“Health centers now provide primary care to one in 14 people living in the United States,” said Health Resources and Services Administation acting Administrator Jim Macrae in a statement.“These awards mean that more communities than ever can count on a health center to help meet the increasing demand for primary care.”
Health Net, Centene End Waiting Period
Woodland Hills-based Health Net and St. Louis-based Centene Corp. announced the federally-mandated waiting period regarding potential anti-trust issues had ended.
Centene announced last month it would acquire Health Net for $6.8 billion in a cash and stock deal, including the assumption of $500 million in debt.
The deal is still subject to the review of relevant state regulators and approval of the shareholders of both companies. Centene said it expected the transaction to close by early 2016.
CalOptima Launches Texting Pilot For Expectant Mothers
CalOptima, the Medi-Cal managed care health plan for Orange County, has entered into a pilot project that will text relevant healthcare information to enrollees who are expecting a child.
The collaboration with Text4Baby will supply expectant mothers with information relevant to their pregnancy, delivery and first year of parenthood. Content has been developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other clinical organizations.
“There is a lot to remember when our members are pregnant or become moms for the first time,” said CalOptima Medical Director Roberto Madrid. “Those who opt into receiving Text4baby messages in English and Spanish benefit from facts and advice, including where she is in her pregnancy and the stages of development to improve overall birth outcomes.”
