Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Congressman Jared Golden announced that Penobscot Community Health Center in Bangor has received a total of $4,120,353 to strengthen health care services.  This competitive funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Center Cluster Program.  The Senators and Congressman sent a letter to HHS in support of the health center’s grant application.

“Community health centers are the backbone of Maine’s rural health care system.  As we combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, these medical providers are needed now more than ever,” said Senators Collins and King and Congressman Golden in a joint statement.  “Penobscot Community Health Center has an essential role in improving the health and wellbeing of patients in communities throughout the region, focusing on promoting physical and emotional wellness, personal dignity, and a sense of belonging.  This funding will support their efforts to deliver quality health care services.”

Since 1997, Penobscot Community Health Center has provided comprehensive and integrated health services for their more than 60,000 patients and communities at health sites across rural Maine.  Their services include primary health care, dental care, integrated mental health, pharmacy, physical therapy, case management, health and nutrition education, chronic disease management, speech and audiology services, and other related medical specialties.  

Penobscot Community Health Center will use this funding to improve access to health care by building healthy communities, strengthening the health care workforce, and achieving health equity.  The program targets the economic and medically vulnerable as well as the geographically isolated.