Press Releases

LOWELL, MA - Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) applauded the awarding of another $2,359,145 in federal funding to support Community Health Connections in Fitchburg and the Lowell Community Health Center. The funding will be disbursed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for operating costs at the facilities.

“Our community health centers have always been champions for the most underserved in our communities. The COVID-19 pandemic only heightened the urgency of ensuring that these facilities have the funding they need to keep their doors open and their health care heroes at work. I’m proud to see this federal funding go to our community health centers in Lowell and Fitchburg, and I’ll continue the bipartisan work necessary to getting these outstanding facilities the resources they need to deliver care to those who need it most,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan.

The awards for each facility totaled:

●      $1,256,415 for Community Health Connections in Fitchburg;

●      $1,102,730 for the Lowell Community Health Center.

“The release of this additional funding will ensure that Community Health Connections can continue to serve over 25,000 patients annually at our 4 community health centers. This funding will allow CHC to serve all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. We continue to thank our President and members of Congress for their ongoing support for community health centers,” said Community Health Connections, Inc. President and CEO John DeMalia.

“We are extremely grateful for this crucial operational funding from HRSA as we continue to serve our patients from throughout Greater Lowell. Particularly at a time when we, and health centers across the country, are facing the challenges presented by this pandemic. This support literally helps us rise to that challenge and serve our communities. We owe a debt of gratitude to Congresswoman Trahan, as well as to Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, for their longstanding, unwavering support for Lowell CHC and for all community health centers,” said Susan West Levine, CEO, Lowell Community Health Center.

Community health centers provide tremendous medical services to many of the most vulnerable in communities across the country – often with the help of federal investments. HRSA provides funding to nearly 1,400 community health centers nationwide to serve more than 28 million people. Health centers in Massachusetts serve more than 1 million people each year, of which 78% are low income and 61% identify as an ethnic or racial minorities.

Trahan has consistently advocated for increased funding for community health centers during her time in Congress. In the most recent appropriations cycle, Trahan helped secure $1.7 billion in federal funding for health centers for fiscal year 2020, a $50 million increase over the previous year. Additionally, she has continued advocating for additional emergency investments in community health centers in Fitchburg, Lowell, and Lawrence to treat patients and expand testing during the coronavirus pandemic. To date, COVID-19 relief packages supported by Trahan have sent more than $5.8 million in funding to health centers in the Third District alone.

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