Tester secures $9 million for Montana community and tribal health centers

From the office of Sen. Jon Tester

Community health centers in Montana including Havre’s Bullhook Community Health Center got a big boost today, thanks to U.S. Sen. Jon Tester.

As part of his ongoing mission to deliver affordable health care to all Montanans, Tester delivered grants worth more than $9 million to six different health care facilities that serve the Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy’s Indian reservations as well as Native Americans living in urban areas. The grants will benefit Bighorn Valley Health Center, Bullhook Community Health Center,  Helena Indian Alliance, Indian Family Health Clinic in Great Falls, Missoula Urban Indian Health Clinic, and Billings Urban Indian Health & Wellness Center.

  “For Montanans in rural areas and in Indian Country, community health centers are often the only way to access quality, affordable health care,” Tester said. “So these facilities are vital lifelines in keeping families and communities healthy, and this much-needed boost will help continue the delivery of accessible care that all Montanans deserve.”

Montana has approximately 40 community health centers that serve over 100,000 patients each year. There are also five Urban Indian Health clinics across Montana that offer varying health care services to thousands of Indian and non-Indian patients.  

Tester has been a steadfast supporter of community health centers. Last year he fought to renew long-term funding for these critical health centers, and he was recognized as a national champion for community health centers and an advocate for Montana’s patients and medical professionals by the National Association of Community Health Centers for his efforts.

  Earlier this year, Tester co-sponsored the Community Health Investment, Modernization, and Excellence Act to mandate annual increases in community health center funding for the next five years. He was the only member of Montana’s delegation to vote to fund community health centers.

The grants awarded are as follows:

• Bighorn Valley Health Center, Hardin: $6,526,744

• Bullhook Community Health Center, Havre: $1,812,584

• Helena Indian Alliance, Helena: $164,373

• Indian Family Health Clinic, Great Falls: $202,550

• Missoula Urban Indian Health Clinic, Missoula: $179,731

• Native American Development Corporation, Billings: $200,000.