Udall, Heinrich Announce More Than $2 Million For Community Health Centers In Doña Ana County

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced that three Affordable Care Act (ACA) grants totaling $2,172,116 have been awarded to Ben Archer Health Center in Hatch, and La Clinica de Familia and St. Luke's Health Care Clinic in Las Cruces. The ACA grants were made available by the Health Resources Services Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The funding will allow these community-based health centers to improve and expand existing services to an additional 20,378 patients.

"Expanded services at these three clinics will make it possible for thousands of people in Southern New Mexico to see a doctor and access affordable primary care, behavioral health, substance abuse services, and dental care, regardless of their income," said Sen. Udall. "I was proud to support this critically important investment so that families living in some of our state's most underserved communities can get the care they need to stay healthy."

"Local community health centers such as Ben Archer, La Clinica de Familia, and St. Luke's Health Care Clinic will increase their current capacity to offer high quality and affordable medical, dental, and behavioral health services to children and families in some of our most underserved communities in southern New Mexico," said Sen. Heinrich. "These investments will fund critical programs that enhance the health and quality of life for those living with chronic illnesses, and expand access to health services for children and their families regardless of income."

Ben Archer Health Center was awarded $433,333. The clinic runs innovative programs, including a home visitation program for chronic patients in rural communities -- made possible by the Affordable Care Act.

La Clinica de Familia was awarded $1,191,667. The clinic is a Federally Qualified Health Center that operates across Doña Ana County and provides affordable health care through a system of seven medical clinics, five dental clinics, three school-based clinics, behavioral health services, and Early Head Start, Healthy Start, and Promotora programs.

St. Luke's Health Care Clinic was awarded $547,116. The clinic works to improve the health and well-being of homeless and indigent people in Doña Ana County and provides health screenings, preventative care, eye exams, and medical prescriptions. This is the first time St. Luke's Health Care Clinic has received a federal grant under the ACA. This federal investment will help increase staff and clinic hours, and expand access to health care services for homeless and indigent patients.