Tester Secures More Than $7 Million to Upgrade, Expand Montana Community Health Centers

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced he has secured more than $7 million to upgrade and expand Community Health Centers (CHCs) across Montana as they continue to combat the COVID-19 crisis.

Tester secured the funding—which will help support new construction so CHCs can upgrade and expand their existing facilities and serve more patients—through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Tester was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to vote for this funding.

“Community Health Centers provide folks across Montana with affordable, high-quality health care and have been on the frontlines of protecting Montana’s frontier communities from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Tester said. “I was proud to secure this funding through the American Rescue Plan Act because these centers are a critical piece of the health care system in Montana, and I will keep fighting to make sure they have the resources and support they need to continue providing the quality care communities across the state rely on to stay healthy.”

Health centers help increase access to important primary care services by reducing barriers such as cost, lack of insurance, and distance for their patients. In doing so, health centers provide substantial benefits for their communities. On a sliding fee basis, health centers serve 1 in 5 people living in rural communities, and 1 in 11 people nationwide.

The CHCs receiving funding include:

• Missoula County (Missoula): $673,173

• Glacier Community Health Center (Cut Bank) : $533,913

• Lincoln County Community Health Center (Libby): $589,353

• Yellowstone City-County Health Department (Billings): $667,574

• Bighorn Valley Health Center (Hardin): $610,528

• Community Health Partners (Livingston): $629,162

• Sapphire Community Health (Hamilton): $519,360

• Community Health Care Center (Great Falls): $590,893

• Flathead Community Health Center (Kalispell): $589,738

• Marias Healthcare Services (Shelby): $565,791

• Butte-Silver Bow Primary Health Care Clinic (Butte): $643,363

• Montana Migrant & Seasonal Farm Workers Council (Billings): $531,009

Tester has secured millions to help Montana CHCs respond to the COVID-19 crisis, and fought tirelessly to ensure all Montana health care providers have the resources they need to continue providing high-quality care in their communities. He secured $1.3 billion for CHCs nationwide in the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and more than $24 million for Montana CHCs in the ARPA in March to support COVID-19 vaccination efforts, testing, and treatment across the state.