Hawaii Health Centers Receive More than $10 Million to Expand Services

Press Release

Three Hawaii health centers will receive $10,083,021 to expand services and fund renovation and new construction projects that will help them serve more than 9,000 new patients, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Representative Mazie K. Hirono and U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa announced today.

The awards are part of a series of capital investments that are made available to community health centers under the Affordable Care Act which provides $9.5 billion to expand services over five years and $1.5 billion to support major construction and renovation projects at community health centers.

The West Hawaii Community Health will receive $5 million, the Malama I Ke Ola Health Center on Maui will receive $4,584,970 and the Hilo Bay Clinic will receive $498,051.

The grantees estimate the money will help them serve 9,030 new patients.

The money was awarded to the centers by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"Hawaii's community health centers are a vital part of our health care safety net and help families that have difficulty finding reliable, affordable healthcare. Our health centers are located in rural, underserved areas of Hawaii, and these funds will support expanded treatment for these communities while the new construction will create jobs. The Affordable Care Act was designed to ensure that all Americans have access to health professionals and I am very pleased that the administration recognizes the need Hawaii's health centers serve and is supporting their mission with much needed capital investments," said Senator Inouye.

"Community health centers play an important role in providing care to many hard-working island residents who would otherwise be unable access vital health services when they need them the most," said Senator Akaka. "I am pleased that the Department of Health and Human Services is again demonstrating its strong commitment to ensuring life-saving access to health care for all Americans. Through these crucial capital investment grants, our island community health clinics will be able to increase their operations to care for more than 9,000 additional underserved individuals on Maui and the Big Island."

"Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, these three Hawaii community health centers will be able to make the necessary improvements to have an even larger impact in Kailua Kona, Wailuku, and Hilo," said Congresswoman Hirono. "Having met with advocates from Hawaii's community health centers in March, including from West Hawaii Community Health Center and Malama I Ke Ola Health Center, I know the care and passion with which they approach their mission. This federal investment will allow more families in medically underserved areas to have access to important health services."

"For many who live in Hawaii's rural areas, community health centers represent reliable access to affordable health care. They are a vital part of the range of health care options available across our communities, and this investment in services and facilities will pay huge dividends in the lives of our neighbors and the health of our state," said Congresswoman Hanabusa.