Federal money to help expand medical center's program, serve 10,000 patients

The East Jordan Family Health Center will be receiving funding from the federal Department of Health and Human Services to expand health care services in Charlevoix and Antrim counties.

The $351,341 grant was announced by U.S. Representative Bart Stupak. It is designed to help the health center in its mission of providing primary and preventative care services. It also will help fund sliding fee discounts to patients who are eligible for sliding-scale bills based on their income.

Stupak says the national economic and health care situations make it vital to keep small community health centers like East Jordan running.

"Community health centers provide critical health care services in rural areas across northern Michigan, and are playing an increasingly important role as families struggle to access affordable primary care services," Stupak says.

The East Jordan Family Health Center also has offices in Bellaire and Central Lake, and last year served almost 10,000 patients in more than 32,000 visits.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Bart Stupak, U.S. Representative