By Wayne Allen
The Scioto County Commissioners on Tuesday signed a letter of support for the Community Action Committee of Pike County (Valley View Health Center) and their pursuit of particular funding.
Community Action is pursuing Service Area Competition Grant for Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funding through the United States Department of Health and Human Services. If awarded, the funding would be used to provide primary health care and dental services in Scioto, Adams, Pike and Jackson counties.
In their letter of support, the commissioners endorse the efforts of Community Action Committee of Pike County for continuing to improve the health of those living in Southeast Ohio by providing comprehensive, culturally competent, quality health care services.
“Valley View Health Centers (VVHC) provides quality health care to all of our citizens regardless of ability to pay. Health care access issues are very real for many residents. Because of this, (VV)HC’s vision to create a community where everyone enjoys a healthy mind, body and spirit is incredibly important,” the commissioner’s endorsement letter reads.
According to released information, In 2014 CAC provided 49,912 medical encounters and 7,876 dental encounters and 903 behavioral encounters for 17,861 users. In 2016-17, CAC plans to continue expanding services for over 21,000 patients in the service area.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced $1,654,147 in Affordable Care Act funding for 34 health centers in Ohio. The Community Action Committee of Pike County was among those funded and received $48,931.
“(This) funding rewards those health centers that are achieving the highest levels of clinical quality performance and improvement,” said Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Acting Administrator Jim Macrae in a released statement. “The awards will help health centers continue to provide comprehensive primary care to the nation’s most vulnerable communities.”
Another center to receive funding was the Ironton and Lawrence County Area Community Action Organization, they received $67,596.
For more information about the Community Action Committee of Pike County visit, www.pikecac.org.
Wayne Allen can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 1933 or on Twitter @WayneallenPDT
