Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan applauded the awarding of $665,000 in federal funding to support the Lowell Community Health Center. The funding, to be dispersed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, will be used to reduce health disparities of the Southeast Asian and LatinX populations of Lowell.

“Racial disparities continue to persist across our health care system and COVID-19 has only made that worse. We are tremendously fortunate to have Lowell Community Health Center and the facility’s incredible team working around the clock every day to provide help to the most vulnerable in our community. This federal investment is well-deserved, and will allow our health care heroes at the Lowell Community Health Center to continue administering the high quality, compassionate care they have been known for over the past 50 years,” said Congresswoman Trahan.

“We are grateful to the CDC for this REACH grant funding, which will allow us to reduce health disparities among the Southeast Asian and LatinX communities related to diabetes, hypertension, and obesity by bringing together key partners from government, health care, social service, and community sectors in Lowell, MA. The funding is particularly timely given the devastating impact of the COVID-19 crisis on racial/ethnic minorities and communities of color.  We look forward to working with our partners over the next three years to truly make an impact on health and well-being in Lowell,” said Susan West Levine, CEO, Lowell Community Health Center (Lowell CHC).

Community health centers provide lifesaving and preventative medical services to many of the most vulnerable in communities across the country. Federal investments like this are key to helping these facilities strengthen their outreach to those in the community who may be especially at-risk of health issues. Community 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.

Congresswoman 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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