Princeton health center awarded $2.3M in federal grant funding

PRINCETON, WV | by Emily Coppola| April 5, 2019

Original article can be found at: https://www.bdtonline.com

PRINCETON — A Mercer County-based community health center has been awarded more than $2.3 million in federal grant funding.

The Bluestone Health Association in Princeton will receive a grant of $2,319,878, U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., said Thursday.

Miller said the funds will be used to continue the normal operations of the center that serves 15,000 plus people in and around Mercer County.

“This is fantastic news for Mercer County and the Bluestone Health Center,” Miller said. “This center provides countless services to the people of Southern West Virginia and works hard to ensure good health care for all its patients.”

Bluestone was one three health centers in the state to receive grant funding. In addition to the Bluestone Health Center, Preston Taylor Community Health Center received $1,969,690, and Clay—Battelle Health Services Association was awarded $1,179,553.

According to U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. and U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., the funds will be distributed through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Health Center Program.

According to Capito and Manchin, the funding will support the existing operations of primary and preventative care centers.

“Our state’s health centers fulfill a critical role in West Virginia’s health care system,” Capito said in a press release.

Capito stated that the West Virginia primary health care centers ensure that all patients receive the proper care they deserve to prevent future issues.

“I have been a strong supporter of the Health Center Program through my role on the Appropriations Committee, and I will continue to fight for programs that help keep West Virginians healthy,” Capito said.

According to Manchin, health care centers should be available to all West Virginians regardless of rural or urban residence.

“These health centers are so incredibly valuable to a state like West Virginia, which is why I always have and will continue to fight for affordable and accessible health care,” Manchin said.