McGovern Applauds $352K to Support Family Health Center of Worcester Treatment for Opioid Addiction

Today, Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) applauded the $94 million in funding that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced they will award to 271 health centers in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to improve and expand the delivery of substance abuse services in health centers, with a specific focus on treatment of opioid use disorders in underserved populations. The funding is provided through the Affordable Care Act.

Family Health Center of Worcester (FHCW) is among the health centers receiving funding. FHCW will receive $352,083 to help them expand the access to treatment and ongoing counseling services they provide in an outpatient setting to those who are struggling with opioid addiction.

“Families in Massachusetts and across the country know how serious the opioid epidemic is and they know that strong federal investments in our communities are essential to ending this crisis,” Congressman McGovern said. “This new funding will help to expand access to medication-assisted treatment and integrate these services in health centers like the Family Health Center of Worcester. This is essential to helping our communities reduce opioid misuse and abuse and provide people with a path to recovery. I am so proud of the great work the Family Health Center of Worcester is doing and will continue to push for the funds and resources our communities need to strengthen recovery efforts, save lives, and end the opioid crisis.”

“Family Health Center of Worcester has provided outpatient Suboxone treatment for opioid-addicted patients in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health since 2007,” said Frances Anthes, President/CEO of Family Health Center of Worcester. “This new federal grant award is a recognition of the tremendous need in Worcester County, and will allow Family Health Center to expand access to treatment and ongoing counseling services in an outpatient setting.”

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