WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced last week that Primary Health Care, Inc. will receive $537,140 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to open a community health center in Ames. The funds were made available through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and will increase access to preventive and primary health care for patients and residents in the community. In his role as Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Harkin played a pivotal role in the Senate passage of the ACA. In his role as chair of the Senate panel that funds health initiatives, he included a provision in the fiscal year 2013 funding bill that led to the release of these funds.
“This announcement is further proof that the ACA continues to deliver better access to quality health care for people in Iowa and across the country,” said Harkin. “Right now, the closest primary care provider accepting new uninsured patients is 35 miles away. This center will fill that gap and provide critical health care services for Ames and all of Story County. I congratulate Primary Health Care, Inc. on today’s grant and look forward to a new health center in Ames.”
