§254c–1a Grants to Nurse-managed Health Clinics

Summary

The Secretary must give grants to help pay the operating costs of nurse-managed health clinics. "Comprehensive primary health care services" means the main primary care services defined elsewhere in law. A "nurse-managed health clinic" is a nurse-run practice led by advanced practice nurses that gives primary care or wellness services to underserved or vulnerable people and is linked to a school, nursing program, federally qualified health center, or an independent nonprofit health or social services agency. To get a grant, an organization must be an eligible nurse-managed clinic and apply. The application must promise that nurses provide most care, at least one advanced practice nurse is in executive management, services will be provided regardless of income or insurance during the grant, and a community advisory committee (majority made up of people served by the clinic) will be set up within 90 days of receiving the grant. The Secretary will set grant amounts based on financial need, state and local funding, and other factors. Congress authorized $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and said it may fund necessary amounts for fiscal years 2011 through 2014.