More Than $2.3 Million for Improving Access to Health Care Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $2,397,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for requests that would support improving access to health care throughout Maine in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“Increased access to health care for Mainers across the state – in both rural and urban communities – is vital,” said Senator Collins. “This investment would help Maine health care providers meet residents where they are, and in turn, promote healthier lives. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
Details on the projects to improve access to health care Senator Collins requested through the FY24 Labor, Health and Humans Services, and Education appropriations bill are below:
PCHC Dental Clinic in Waldo County
Recipient: Penobscot Community Health Center
Project Location: Belfast, ME
Amount Requested: $1,322,000
Project Purpose: To construct a public health dental practice, co-located with the primary care space.
Health Care In-Reach Mobile Access Project
Recipient: Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter
Project Location: Waterville, ME
Amount Requested: $75,000
Project Purpose: To purchase a mobile health unit to serve unsheltered individuals in Mid-Maine.
Northern Light Telehealth
Recipient: VNA Home Health & Hospice d/b/a Northern Light Home Care & Hospice
Project Location: Statewide
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Project Purpose: To acquire telehealth devices for hospice and home health patients.
This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY24 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate. Committee consideration of legislation is a key part of regular order, which helps our government function efficiently and deliver results for the people of Maine and America.
In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $500 million for hundreds of Maine projects for FY2022 and FY2023. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.
###
