Congresswoman Matsui Announces $499,229 Community Transformation Grant for Sierra Health Foundation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163
Congresswoman Matsui Announces $499,229 Community Transformation Grant for Sierra Health Foundation
Affordable Care Act Is Improving Health in the Sacramento Community, Helping Control Health Care Spending
CA Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) proudly announced that the Sierra Health Foundation was awarded a competitive capacity building grant of nearly half a million dollars for community prevention efforts to fight and prevent chronic health conditions in the Sacramento region. Fifty-seven non-profits, hospitals, associations and community clinics came together to partner with Sierra Health Foundation in this grant and help form the Healthy Sacramento Coalition, including Catholic Healthcare West, UC Davis Health System, the County of Sacramento, Valley Vision, and Sacramento City Unified School District. Congresswoman Matsui wrote a letter of support for the coalition's grant application in July.
Congresswoman Matsui has worked closely with Sierra Health Foundation and numerous local health care stakeholders to strengthen the Sacramento health safety net and take advantage of the benefits the health care law signed into law last year the Affordable Care Act has to offer. This grant is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS's) Community Transformation Grants, created by the Affordable Care Act, to support public health efforts to reduce chronic diseases, promote healthier lifestyles, reduce health disparities, and reduce health care spending. The Community Transformation Grants will support the planning and implementation of state and community projects proven to reduce chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
As our community continues to grow, we must work to ensure that our community health entities work together to bring Sacramentans quality and affordable health care, Congresswoman Matsui said. In order to prepare for these projected and profound changes, our region needs a coordinated public health system. This Sacramento county-wide coalition, led by the Sierra Health Foundation, is committed to help improve the health and safety of our region, and I am pleased that Sierra Health and its partners have been awarded nearly half a million dollars in federal funding to achieve this goal.
With this federal grant, the Sacramento community ramps up its efforts to make significant improvements in the health and well-being of its population, with an emphasis on those most at risk for chronic conditions, said Sierra Health Foundation President and CEO Chet P. Hewitt. We re proud to lead this effort, and know that with the dedication of our diverse partners we will develop a strong plan to implement community prevention efforts.
The Community Transformation Grants will focus on three priority areas: tobacco-free living; active living and healthy eating; and evidence-based quality clinical and other preventive services, specifically prevention and control of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. There are two types of national grants for states and communities: capacity building and implementation. Sierra Health Foundation is one of the 26 grantees that will work to build capacity to implement changes by laying a solid foundation for community prevention efforts to ensure long-term success. The grant will run for five years, with projects expanding their scope and reach over time as resources permit.
For more information about Congresswoman Matsui's work to provide high-quality, affordable health care for Sacramento families, please visit www.matsui.house.gov/healthcare.
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