Shaheen applauds $1M award for HealthFirst Family Care Center in Franklin
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today applauded the announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will award $1 million to the HealthFirst Family Care Center serving the Lakes Region. This funding will help HealthFirst Family Health Center renovate its facility in Franklin to expand access to primary care and behavioral health. It will also bring Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services to the center.
The funding comes through a congressional directed spending request (CDS) that Shaheen secured through the fiscal year (FY) 2022 government spending legislation that was signed into law.
“I’m thrilled to see this $1 million award I secured heading to HealthFirst Family Care Center to expand access to health care services for Granite Staters in the Lakes Region. This funding will equip the Center with the tools and resources they need to continue their ever-important work to treat patients, while creating good-paying jobs in the process,” said Senator Shaheen. “As a senior appropriator, I fight every year to ensure New Hampshire gets its fair share of federal funding to deliver and invest in Granite State communities. Investing in our public health infrastructure – particularly in underserved rural areas – will continue to be a top priority.”
“We are indebted to Senator Shaheen for selecting HealthFirst as the recipient of a $1,000,000 Congressionally Directed Spending award. This funding is critical for us as we begin renovations to our 841 Central Street health center in Franklin, New Hampshire,” said Russell Keene, CEO of HealthFirst Family Care Center. “HealthFirst has a 26-year legacy of serving the community with high-quality, affordable health care regardless of their ability to pay, and this funding will help ensure that we will remain a strong, vibrant, and significant contributor to the greater Franklin healthcare community.”
As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Shaheen helped secure $69,047,000 for projects across New Hampshire through the CDS process.