ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Dogwood Health Trust Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC) has announced a $10.5 million donation aiming to strengthen the financial resilience of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) across western North Carolina.
According to a news release, the collaboration ensures eligible FQHCs and look-alikes with a physical location in the 18 western North Carolina counties served by Dogwood can maintain essential care access for residents despite financial strain caused by Helene and federal funding uncertainty.
MISSION HEALTH LIFTS FLU-RELATED VISITATION LIMITS, CITING DECREASE IN CASES
To help the FQHCs navigate challenges, the partnership will combine flexible capital with expert technical support.
According to the release, Dogwood Health Trust has issued a $10 million Program-Related Investment to PCDC, a national Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) focused on strengthening primary care providers.
The funds will offer low-cost, flexible loans to eligible FQHCs and FQHC look-alikes to sustain and increase access to high-quality care, the release says.
According to the release, Dogwood is providing $490,000 to PCDC to provide focus to the following:
- Hands-on financial resiliency coaching to qualified FQHCs and look-alikes on revenue cycle and financial workflow assessments
- Cash flow management tools
- Modeling related to Medicaid and federal funding changes
- Operational dashboard development
- Policy and workflow improvements, and long-term sustainability planning
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“FQHCs provide primary medical, dental and behavioral health care to nearly 200,000 children and families in Western North Carolina,” said Dr. Susan Mims, CEO of Dogwood Health Trust, in a news release. “These resources will give back to our FQHCs to support their care for the people of our region, navigate the uncertainties created by recent federal funding changes, and continue to recover from Hurricane Helene.”
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