Affordable Care Act grant to fund improvements to Columbia Public Health Center

King County Executive Dow Constantine today announced that Public Health – Seattle & King County has won a $498,500 federal grant for renovation of the Columbia Public Health Center in Seattle's Rainier Valley.

"Thanks to support from our federal delegation, we can now make new investments that will boost our ability to provide better care for more patients, for years to come," said Executive Constantine.

The one-time award will support a remodel of the interior at the Columbia Public Health Center, where redesigned space will allow for additional exam rooms, improved patient flow, and more efficient work teams.

The grant will also support needed infrastructure and equipment for the upcoming implementation of the Electronic Health Record system at Columbia Public Health Center.

"With this grant, we're looking forward to improving the environment for our clients and providers at Columbia Public Health Center," said Dr. David Fleming, Director & Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. "At a time when health care savings are increasingly important, these changes will allow us to use resources more efficiently."

The grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - Health Resources and Services Administration is part of a series of capital investments in community health centers under the federal Affordable Care Act.

Other projects in King County to receive funding for construction and renovation projects were HealthPoint, International Community Health Services, Neighborcare Health, and the Sea-Mar Community Health Center.

Nationally, the administration awarded more than $728 million in funding to support 398 renovation and construction projects.