Wlaf1450NASHVILLE, TN (WLAF) – State Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston) and Representative Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro) today announced that two Campbell County health centers have been chosen for federal funding for expansion of COVID-19 testing. The funds were awarded by the U.S. Health Resources and Services (HRSA) as part of the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Community Health of East Tennessee, Inc. in LaFollette will receive $180,289 and Dayspring Health, Inc. in Jellico will receive $242,719. Both are federally qualified health centers.
“The key to keeping our communities safe as our economy continues to open is aggressive testing,” said Sen. Yager. “These community health centers are very important in this effort and I am very pleased that these two in Campbell County will receive these funds as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I also want to thank our congressional delegation for their help in securing these needed funds.”
“I’m very pleased these health centers will receive additional resources to aid in the fight against COVID-19,” said State Rep. Dennis Powers. “Until there is a vaccine, testing will play a critical part in slowing the spread of this potentially deadly infection and limiting hospitalizations. I appreciate President Donald Trump and our leaders in congress for making these funds available in our community.”
The funding for health centers is part of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, signed into law by President Trump on April 24th. In addition to providing funding for small businesses and individuals financially affected by COVID-19, it provides grants for hospitals and healthcare providers, and increased testing capabilities to help track the spread and impact of the coronavirus.
Across the U.S., health centers are currently providing more than 100,000 weekly COVID-19 tests in their local communities. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/11/2020-2PM)