Contact: Barry Dehlin 202-224-5721 Matt Roney 816-471-7141
Thursday, June 7, 2001

INDEPENDENCE - Senator Kit Bond today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released almost $430,000 for a new community health center in Independence, MO.

“I am pleased that I was able to secure funds for this much-needed health center,” said Bond. “This is a fine day for Missourians in Independence who will now have better access to the health care they need.”

Bond, a long-time supporter of community health centers, has argued that the centers are a key element of the health care system in the medically-underserved urban and rural communities across the United States. The centers deliver primary care and preventive health services to Americans who would otherwise face major barriers to obtaining care.

The grant has been awarded to the Swope Parkway Health Center in Kansas City, MO and will be used to establish a new center in Independence. Around 4,500 Missourians who are currently without health care will receive medical treatment through this funding.

“Senator Bond has been a strong advocate for health care and has worked to ensure that all Missourians have access to both primary and preventive health services,”said Mr. Frank Ellis, Chairman of Swope Parkway Health Center's Board of Directors. “Thanks to the Senator, the new center in Independence will make health care a new reality for thousands of Missourians.”