2023-22751. Notice of Fiscal Year 2023 Health Center Program COVID-19 HHS Bridge Access Program Funding Awards

AGENCY:

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION:

Notice of funding awards.

SUMMARY:

In support of the HHS Bridge Access Program for COVID–19 Vaccines and Treatments, HRSA provided more than $81 million in one-time funding to all current Health Center Program operational (H80) award recipients and to health center look-alikes that previously received American Rescue Plan funding (L2C awards).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Olivia Shockey, Expansion Division Director, HRSA, at [e-mail] and (301) 594–4300.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Intended Recipient of the Award: The total amount of funding, number of awards, and award recipients can be found here: https://bphc.hrsa.gov/​funding/​coronavirus-related-funding/​covid-19-bridge-funding/​fy-2023-awards.

Project Period: September 1, 2023—December 31, 2024.

CFDA Number: 93.527.

Authority: Section 2401 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Public Law 117–2.

Justification: The end of the declared COVID–19 Public Health Emergency and associated transition to commercial access to vaccines and therapeutics impacts the capacity of health centers to maintain essential COVID–19 related services for their patients, including but not limited to health center patients who lack health insurance. Health centers will use one-time Bridge funding to support uninsured and underinsured patients and residents of their communities with needs such as COVID–19 vaccination and therapeutics, enabling/patient support services (such as outreach, education, enrollment assistance, transportation, translation, and care coordination) to support COVID–19 related services; community COVID–19 vaccination events; and, supplies and personnel who support COVID–19 related services and care delivery, including personnel costs necessary to develop, support, or expand collaborations, including collaborations with state/jurisdiction immunization programs. Recipients will submit data on program activities through the HRSA Health Center COVID–19 survey as required, as well as periodic progress reports.

Carole Johnson,

Administrator.