Variety Care Recipient of American Rescue Plan Act Awards
(March 26, 2021 – Oklahoma City, OK) Variety Care, Inc. will receive up to $13.8 million in funding as part of a large COVID-relief effort from the Biden-Harris Administration’s America Rescue Plan. Award allocations will be granted based upon eligible costs associated with providing care during the pandemic. Funding will help Variety Care expand access to COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, and treatment for vulnerable populations.
Award allocations can only be used for specific eligible costs as defined by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The HRSA formula for award allocations included total number of patients served and total number of uninsured patients served. Variety Care serves the highest number in both categories for the state of Oklahoma. This significant award is among the highest in the region.
Funding will provide reimbursements for COVID-relief activities dating back to Jan. 2020. It will also allow Variety Care to continue serving populations impacted by the pandemic until 2023. Allowable uses of funds are outlined by HRSA through the American Rescue Plan Act Funding for Health Centers. All projects must fall within the scope of the program guidelines.
Full primary health care remains at the heart of Variety Care’s Patient-Centered Medical Home service model. The American Rescue Plan Act Awards will help the organization integrate COVID-19 response efforts into the organization’s primary health care services.
“Along with the nation, our COVID response message continues to evolve,” CEO Lou Carmichael said. “In addition to advising residents to continue following COVID precautions, this funding allows us to expand our message, integrate COVID vaccinations into primary health care, and helps us better serve communities of color, rural areas, and underserved populations who have been ravaged by this pandemic.”
Vaccine testing has been available at all Variety Care sites since last year when the pandemic began. Since Dec. 2020, the community health center has administered the vaccine to over 23,000 community members. The COVID-relief activities allowed through the awards will have a profound impact on thousands of patients.
“Variety Care is much more than a small nonprofit,” Dr. Lydia Nightingale, chief medical officer, said. “We are a complete health care system. This historic funding will help us continue to deliver preventative and primary health care services to community members at risk for COVID-19.”