READING, April 30, 2012 — Berks Community Health Center has been selected to receive a Community Primary Care Challenge Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank and state Rep. Thomas Caltagirone.
The $500,000 grant will increase access to primary health care services in Reading. This health center is expected to open in June at the site of Reading Hospital’s health dispensary at 838 Penn St.
“This significant grant will go a long way to provide enhanced accessibility to primary and preventative health services,” said Schwank (D-11th dist.). “I’m pleased that the state recognizes the importance of health centers. They are literally a lifeline for our most vulnerable citizens.”
“The Berks Community Health Center will also ease the burden on our emergency rooms, where many vulnerable citizens go when they have no other option,” said Caltagirone (D-127th dist.). “This state grant will benefit citizens and our health care providers alike, and I am grateful for the state support.”
The Community Primary Care Challenge Grant program was created to increase access to primary medical and dental services in areas that the federal government has designated as medically underserved.
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