Friday, May 9, 2025
5/9/2025
Fiscal Year 2025 Expanded Hours. - Migrant Health Center Western Region, In. (MHC) program grant number (H80CS00620) is a Community Based, 330 (g) (e) (h), non-profit, 501(c3). MHC provides integrated high-quality health services in fifteen (15) clinics located in the western regions of Puerto Rico (PR). MHC provides primary care, behavioral health, OB/Gyn, oral health, nutrition, optometry, mental health, x rays, pharmacy, laboratory, HIV prevention and treatment, vaccination, and substance abuse services, among others. MHC is requesting HRSA-25-084 funding for two years ($500,000 FY1 and $500,000 FY2) to expand access in the MHC San Sebastian service site by increasing the health center operating hours to meet identified patient and community needs. MHC is proposing to use up to $150,000 in year 1 for minor Alteration/Renovation costs necessary to meet the proposed Extended Hours (EH) objectives. The populations to be served are individuals residing in the designated medically underserved area Municipality of San Sebastian. San Sebastian is home of 38,183 residents, of which 99% are Hispanic/Latino, 49% are reported as male and 51% as female, and 52% live under the Federal Poverty Level. MHC provides primary health care services to nearly 5,000 residents of this municipality. MHC proposes to expand its hours of operation at the San Sebastian clinic site due to identified needs. MHC utilized official statistical data, UDS data, the results of the corporate needs assessment and the results of the Quality Department's patient questionnaires to ensure that the proposed project is responsive to the needs of the patients served. The profile of the target population looks as follows: nearly 30% do not complete high school; 24.8% of the population is 65 years of age or older; 28.7% earn less than $10,000 per year; the unemployment rate is reported at 14.9%; 13.5% have no vehicle or means of transportation in their home; 26% have no electronic devices; 27% live with some type of disability; 5.3% have no health insurance coverage; 1.6% are veterans; and of the active labor force, 65% work in the private sector. In the proposed target areas, among the most predominant barriers and gaps identified that impede access to services MHC can outstand poverty, workforce shortage, geographical barriers, lack of health insurance, stigma and discrimination, lack of reliable electrical energy and internet access, lack of transportation, lack of availability of appointments, and inability to take time off work to attend appointments, among others. To address the needs identified MHC is proposing to hire 6.0 FTEs to expand the hour of operations of the MHC San Sebastian site. These personnel will provide in-person appointments. The proposed staff to be hired will consist of 1 FTE Physician, 1 FTE Nurse, 1 FTE Receptionist, 1 FTE Licensed Pharmacy MD, and 2 FTE Pharmacy Technicians. MHC proposes to expand medical and pharmacy services weekdays from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday, for a total increase of 17.5 additional hours of service per week at this location. As a result of the proposed EH MHC is expecting to serve at least 300 new unduplicated new patients for the year 2025 following Uniform Data System data. MHC will implement the proposed project and increase the operating hours within 6 months of the award. The new operating hours will allow patients to receive care in a primary care setting, reducing visits to emergency departments and improving health outcomes. This will reduce health care costs and preserve emergency department capacity for patients with acute needs. In addition, it will make it possible to address other identified emerging needs such as scheduling barriers that impede patients’ ability to access care during current operating hours, including patients’ nontraditional work schedules, lack of sick leave, and childcare needs.
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).