Laredo, TX—Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $1,253,360 in federal funding to support Gateway Community Health Center’s efforts to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. This funding, awarded through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will be used to deliver health essential services in Webb and Zapata County.

Congressman Cuellar also joined a letter to Congressional leadership asking for critical funding for Community Health Centers (CHCs) in the next COVID-19 response package. The letter expresses the importance of Community Health Centers which continue to be on the frontlines of this pandemic and are in critical need of financial support to keep their doors open and continue providing life-saving care to local communities during this crisis.

“Community health centers are crucial to our nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This federal funding will help local health providers combat the evolving challenges of this public health crisis and deliver quality health care services for individuals and families in South Texas. As a senior Appropriator, I am committed to funding  health centers who are our country’s first line of defense against the coronavirus. I would like to thank Elmo Lopez, CEO of Gateway Community Health Center, and the rest of his staff for their dedication to protecting our community during these unprecedented times.”

As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Congressman Cuellar helped secure $100 million for health centers funded by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the first COVID-19 spending package. HRSA-funded health centers may use the awards to address screening and testing needs, acquire medical supplies and boost telehealth capacity in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

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