Golden Announces Over $540,000 for Rural Maine Health Centers
WASHINGTON - Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced three new United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants for health care centers in Aroostook and Penobscot counties, totaling over $540,000.
“Rural Mainers deserve the same quality of healthcare as everyone else,” said Golden. “Fish River Rural Health, Penobscot Community Health Center, and Millinocket Regional Hospital offer invaluable, affordable services to those living off the beaten path, and these grants will give our providers the resources they need to continue keeping families healthy.”
Both Fish River Rural Health (FRRH) and Penobscot Community Health Center (PCHC) are recognized as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC). FQHCs are clinics that offer comprehensive care to underserved communities at a sliding scale based on patients’ financial circumstances. FQHCs are also eligible for enhanced reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid, which helps expand access to care.
FRRH in Fort Kent will receive $69,800 to purchase new dental equipment, improve pandemic preparedness, and support the ongoing surge of new patients treated at the facility. As one of only two FQHCs in Aroostook County, this grant will benefit over 15,000 residents.
PCHC will receive $450,900 to renovate a new 35,000-square-foot facility in Belfast. When operational, it will offer treatment for mental health and opioid-use disorders, dental services, as well as both adult and pediatric primary care. More than 12,000 people in and around Waldo County will benefit from this increased access.
Millinocket Regional Hospital will receive $38,000 to equip the facility with a full security camera system. With only some coverage inside the building and none outside, the hospital has limited ability to monitor threats and dispatch emergency assistance. This upgrade will enable real-time dispatch of emergency services as needed and dramatically improve patient and staff safety. Over 10,000 residents will benefit.
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