Lynn health center nets $55G state grant

LYNN – The Lynn Community Health Center was among several health organizations to receive a state grant Tuesday from the state’s Office of Medicaid, which doled out $2.4 million.Gov. Deval Patrick announced the awards, made across the state to community-based organizations. The Lynn center received $55,000.”Community-based organizations play a critically important role in health care reform. The organizations receiving grants have a demonstrated commitment to communities in need of services, as well as a strong knowledge of eligibility criteria and enrollment procedures,” said Thomas Dehner, director of the Office of Medicaid.The awards mark the conclusion of a competitive application and evaluation process. Forty-five organizations, including hospitals and community health centers, received grants for amounts between $26,000 and $55,000. Eighty-seven organizations applied for funding.The award recipients were chosen by MassHealth, in partnership with the Commonwealth Connector Authority. The state emphasized ensuring that adequate resources are allocated within geographic areas where there are large numbers of uninsured individuals and limited health care providers. In addition, the grants are designed to focus on a broad cross-section of target populations, including various ethnic groups, the homeless, people living with HIV/AIDS, seasonal workers, individuals working for small businesses and the disabled.