Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced that the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded more than $29 million in 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).

“I am thrilled to announce over $29 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan to several of our community health centers in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District,” said Rep. Sewell. “This funding will be instrumental in our continued efforts to enhance equitable vaccination distribution efforts, particularly for our most underserved communities. I want my constituents to know that help is here!” 

Specifically, Sewell announced federal funding for the following community health centers:

  • A grant of $7,801,375 for Health Services, (INC) in Montgomery. 
  • A grant of $5,969,500 for the Whatley Health Services, Inc. in Tuscaloosa. 
  • A grant of $5,151,250 for the Christ Health Center, Inc. in Birmingham. 
  • A grant of $4,901,100 for the Cahaba Medical Care Foundation across the Black Belt and Central Alabama. 
  • A grant of $3,023,750 for Alabama Regional Medical Services in Birmingham. 
  • A grant of $2,341,750 for the Rural Health Medical Program, Inc. in Selma. 
  • A grant of $1,002,875 for Aletheia House, Inc. in Birmingham.

Community health centers will be able to use the funds to support and expand COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and treatment for vulnerable populations; deliver needed preventive and primary health care services to those at higher risk for COVID-19; and expand community health centers’ operational capacity during the pandemic and beyond, including modifying and improving physical infrastructure and adding mobile units. This investment will help increase access to vaccinations among hard-hit populations, as well as confidence in the vaccine by empowering local, trusted health professionals in their efforts to expand vaccinations.

HRSA-funded community health centers are community-based and patient-directed organizations that deliver affordable, accessible, quality, and cost-effective primary health care to medically underserved communities and vulnerable populations, including high-need urban, rural, and frontier communities across the country. Community health centers serve 1 in 5 people living in rural communities, and 1 in 11 people nationwide. More than 91% of community health center patients are individuals or families living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and nearly 63% are racial or ethnic minorities.

For detailed information on how this funding is being distributed to community health centers, including an interactive map of which community health centers will receive funding, please visit: https://bphc.hrsa.gov/program-opportunities/american-rescue-plan/awards.   

For information on ensuring equity in COVID-19 vaccine distribution, visit: https://www.hrsa.gov/coronavirus/health-center-program