Birmingham, AL — Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) visited the Christ Health Woodlawn Center in Jefferson County as part of her American Rescue Plan District Tour to highlight the resources available in the historic $1.9 trillion legislation that will significantly improve equitable vaccination distribution throughout Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. The Christ Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center that also serves as a vaccination clinic. The Community Health Center recently received a $5,151,250 federal grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services to support COVID-19 vaccination and services for vulnerable populations in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. 

“I thank Christ Health Woodlawn Center and all of the Federally Qualified Health Centers located across Alabama that are answering the call to keep us safe,” said Rep. Terri Sewell. “I am proud that their hard work will be met with a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to ensure equitable distribution for our most underserved communities in Jefferson County and across Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. Together, we will work to ensure that every American who wants a vaccine can get one, which will take us one step closer to crushing this virus and rebuilding our Nation.” 

Background on Federally Qualified Health Centers in Alabama: 

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are community-based health care providers that receive funds from the HRSA Health Center Program to provide primary care services in underserved areas. They must meet a stringent set of requirements, including providing care on a sliding fee scale based on ability to pay and operating under a governing board that includes patients.

Background on Christ Health Woodlawn Center: 

Since opening in 2009, Christ Health Woodlawn Center has provided medical services for nearly 100,000 patients, served more than 35,000 dental patients, and filled nearly 120,000 prescriptions. The healthcare ministry exists to see the sick made well and the well made whole. Our patients have access to the very best in primary care, dental services, and professional counseling, as well as medication therapy management through our on-site pharmacy. We accept most types of insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, and offer a generous sliding scale fee-for-service option to our self-pay patients. Christ Health was the recipient of a $5,151,250 United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) federal grant funding to support COVID-19 vaccination and services for vulnerable populations in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. The funding will be awarded beginning in April by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

Background on American Rescue Plan: 

The American Rescue Plan is a $1.9 trillion stimulus package that will provide crucial aid to families, workers, and communities suffering from the health and economic crises caused by COVID-19. Among its many resources, it will get shots in arms with a $20 billion coordinated, nationwide vaccine program to:

• Make sure we have enough vaccines for all Americans through research, development, manufacturing, production, and purchase.

• Get those vaccines out to all Americans quickly and equitably through community vaccination centers, mobile vaccination units and more.

• Improve communication to strengthen confidence in the vaccine and make sure all Americans know when, where and how they can get one.

 More details on the American Rescue Plan can be found here.

 Videos and photos of Rep. Sewell at Christ Health Woodlawn can be found here.