WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) today hailed the decision of Ravenswood Family Health Center being awarded $7.3 million in funding from the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Department for its Health Care Innovation Project. The project will assist 19,000 patients in southeast San Mateo County better manage chronic care conditions by helping them adhere to health care plans based on their unique needs. These efforts are expected to save more than $6 million over three years.

Ravenswood Family Health Center serves predominantly underserved communities in East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park and has an excellent track record of improving health outcomes. Nearly 90 percent of Ravenswood patients live at or below the federal poverty level, 60 percent are uninsured, and almost 40 percent are children under the age of 15.

"I'm thrilled that Ravenswood Family Health Center was awarded $7.3 million in funding for its Health Care Innovation Project," Rep. Eshoo said. "Supporting and motivating patients to follow and adhere to evidence-based care plans is exactly what we need to do to improve health outcomes and lower costs. This project will do just that. The partnership with the Health Plan of San Mateo, San Mateo County Health System, and Nuestra Casa will also create important, health-industry jobs and help our community in innumerable ways. Bravo to all."

Background:

The majority of patients who will be included in the Health Care Innovation Project have diabetes and other chronic conditions. The project will train care managers who will, in a responsive and culturally appropriate manner, support and motivate patients to follow and adhere to evidence-based care plans. These care managers will also provide assistance in overcoming barriers to obtaining services with estimated savings of over $6 million. Over the three-year period, the South County Community Health Center program will train an estimated 60 health care workers and create an estimated 28 new jobs.

Out of 3,000 nationwide applicants, Ravenswood Family Health Center was one of 26 awardees chosen for their innovative solutions to the health care challenges facing their communities and their focus on creating a well-trained health care workforce that is equipped to meet the need for new jobs in a 21st century health system. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the health care and social assistance sector will gain the most jobs between now and 2020.

The awards total $122.6 million. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at HHS administers the awards through cooperative agreements over 3 years.

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