Skip to Content

Press Releases

HHS Awards Arkansas $4.7 Million for Expanded Coronavirus Testing

Washington, DC—May 8, 2020….U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton—along with Congressmen Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack, and Bruce Westerman—applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for awarding federal funds to Arkansas health centers for expanded coronavirus testing. 

The grants—totaling $4,766,433—were awarded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to 12 HRSA-funded health care centers in Arkansas. The investment will be used to expand testing and allow for the purchase of personal protective equipment; training for staff; outreach, procurement and administration of tests; and laboratory services. This funding will also support notification of contacts of patients who test positive and the expansion of walk-up or drive-up testing capabilities.

“These health centers play a critical role in keeping Arkansans healthy. Providing additional resources to expand testing is key to identifying patients infected with this disease and preventing its spread in the community. These funds will help achieve the governor’s goal of conducting 60,000 coronavirus tests in the state during May,” members said.

This funding builds on a $10.5 million investment in Arkansas HRSA-funded facilities.

The following Arkansas health centers received funding from HRSA:

ARCARE

Augusta

$1,145,659

1st Choice Healthcare, Inc.

Corning

$387,229

Mid-Delta Health Systems Inc.

Clarendon

$135,739

Cabun Rural Health Service, Inc.

Hampton

$234,829

Lee County Cooperative Clinic

Marianna

$144,619

Boston Mountain Rural Health Center, Inc.

Marshall

$393,919

Healthy Connections Inc.

Mena

$292,819

Jefferson Comprehensive Care System Inc.

Pine Bluff

$230,089

Mainline Health Systems Inc.

Portland

$339,499

River Valley Primary Care Services

Ratcliff

$391,654

St. Francis House NWA, Inc.

Springdale

$693,199

East Arkansas Family Health Center, Inc.

West Memphis

$377,179


Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He serves as the Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Budget and is a member of the House Appropriations defense and transportation, housing and urban development subcommittees.

womack.house.gov

###