Wednesday, February 5, 2025
2/5/2025
HEALTH CENTER CLUSTER - Project Title: Service Area Competition (HRSA-22-005) SAAT Table ID: 183 Applicant: Sterling Area Health Center Grant #: H80CS00756 Website: www.sterlinghealth.net Congressional Districts: MI004 & MI005 Projected Patients by 12/31/23: 10,196 Existing Federal Funding: CHC, 330(e) Funding Request: $3,086,421 Sterling Area Health Center (SAHC) is a 330-funded FQHC, Joint Commission accredited Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) that serves the medically vulnerable population in Arenac, Iosco, and Ogemaw counties, and portions of Northern Bay County counties in Northern Michigan. For nearly 45 years, SAHC has provided comprehensive, coordinated, high quality primary and preventative care that includes medical, dental, behavioral health and substance abuse, psychiatry, chronic care, enabling and nutrition services. SAHC’s target population is medically vulnerable people living under 200% FPG, who are either uninsured, underinsured or have public insurance. In 2019, 16% of the total service area population lived in poverty and 41% lived below 200% FPG. This demographic is reflected in SAHC’s current users, of which 55% live below 200% FPG, 19% are uninsured, and 36% have Medicaid. SAHC continually works to leverage existing health care resources cultivating collaborative efforts with other area FQHCs and other public and private entities. Through its own services and these partnerships, SAHC has become an integral component of the regional health delivery network, and a critical provider of services for the low-income population. As a result, patient outcomes have improved significantly, and the regional cost of care has declined. According to the United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings, Michigan ranks 32nd among all states for heal th status based on multiple health measures. In SAHC’s service area, 36% of the adult population is obese, 11.4% has diabetes, the mortality rate for heart disease, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and suicide all exceed both the state and national average, 26% of the adult population are smokers and all pre- and post- natal statistics indicate significant gaps in access for women’s services. This high incidence of chronic disease is reflected in SAHC’s patient population. Through its PCMH model of care, SAHC treats its patients holistically and strives to meet all of health care needs of its users. SAHC has five sites including 4 medical clinics with integrated behavioral health and a full-service dental clinic. SAHC has strong dental, behavioral health, and substance abuse programs, which are the only accessible BH/SUD and dental services for low-income people in the area. Providing compassionate, quality care with integrity and respect, continuing to strengthen the PCMH treatment model and using the EHR to track progress and monitor outcomes are key strategic goals for the organization during the upcoming project period. SAHC’s Board will continue to implement a strategic vision to strengthening existing operations and will work with community leaders to expand access to high quality, affordable medical homes. In the upcoming project period, SAHC’s team of 13.1 FTE medical, 4.05 FTE dental and 6.0 BH/SUD providers will treat nearly 10,200 unique users, who will generate more than 45,000 patient visits. In addition, collaborative arrangements will be strengthened to assure that patients will experience a continuum of care whether for specialty referrals, inpatient services or other programs and services not offered by the health center.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).