BURLINGTON, March 31 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Thursday will meet with directors of Vermont’s federally qualified health centers to discuss the $33.37 million in emergency funding that is coming to the state’s 11 health centers as a result of the American Rescue Plan. 

Following the meeting Sanders, Tess Kuenning, CEO of Bi-State PrimaryCare Association; Jeff McKee, CEO of the Community Health Centers of Burlington; Pam Parsons, CEO of Northern Tier Center for Health; and Josh Dufresne, CEO of Springfield Medical Care Systems will make brief statements to the media.

Sanders said, “Serving 155,000 people, the state of Vermont has the highest per capita participation in the nation in the federally qualified health center program. Today, nearly one-in-three Vermonters rely on community health centers because they know they will get high quality health care, dental care, mental health counseling and affordable prescription drugs at the 11 health centers and 66 sites throughout the state.

“The $33 million that is coming into Vermont for FQHCs through the American Rescue Plan is the biggest single investment in the state’s community health center history. As a long-time advocate for FQHCs, I am confident that this new funding will go a long way toward expanding and improving health care for Vermonters.”

Media wishing to attend must RSVP to press@sanders.senate.gov

What: Sanders and FQHC Leaders Give Statement on American Rescue Plan funding for Vermont’s community health centers

When: Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. 

Where: Riverside Health Center, 617 Riverside Ave., Burlington, Vt. 

Who: Sen. Bernie Sanders 
Tess Kuenning, CEO of Bi-State Primary Care Association
Jeff McKee, CEO of Community Health Centers of Burlington 
Pam Parsons, CEO of Northern Tier Center for Health
Josh Dufresne, CEO of Springfield Medical Care Systems