Tribe receives $11.8M for medical center expansion

PLUMMER - The Coeur d'Alene Tribe received $11.8 million in federal funding on Friday to build a new state-of-the-art Benewah Medical Center in Plummer.

"We are extremely pleased because this grant will make a big difference in people's lives," said Coeur d'Alene Tribe Chairman Chief Allan. "The Tribe has always wanted to provide the best possible health care - not only for the tribal membership, but everyone living on the reservation. This funding will help fulfill that goal."

The Tribe anticipates the new Benewah Medical Center will open in the fall of 2012 - with construction starting next spring.

The $11.8 million award is funded through the Affordable Care Act and will cover 68 percent of the $17.3 million total project cost. The Tribe will contribute $3 million and the BMC has set aside $2.5 million to fund the balance of the project. The new medical center will be located on a six-acre parcel west of U.S. 95, roughly a mile from the existing center in downtown Plummer.

"This is wonderful news for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and all tribal and community members who receive care at the Benewah Medical Center," said Jim Murphy, Benewah Medical Center's finance director and new clinic project manager. "This funding is available because 20 years ago the Coeur d'Alene Tribe became the first tribe in the nation to open its clinic doors to the entire community, and subsequently became a Community Health Center."

The Benewah Medical Center serves both tribal members and non-tribal members in the rural Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation community. Since opening its doors in 1990, the Benewah Medical Center has delivered health care to more than 17,500 patients.

Today, the clinic has 122 employees and currently serves 6,500 patients, who account for more than 36,000 visits annually. Roughly half of the patients at the clinic are non-tribal members.

"I am very proud that previous tribal leaders had the vision to establish a community health clinic that is a model for the rest of the country," Allan said. "The new building is something we have envisioned and needed for a long time."

The new building will have nearly 47,000 square feet of floor space, more than double of the existing facility and satellite offices. The new building will contain all of the BMC's medical, dental, community health and counseling services under one roof - making it easier for patients and health care providers.

"This new, larger facility will allow the medical center to serve existing and new patients in a facility with adequate space and state of the art equipment," Murphy said. "The new building will include larger examination rooms, a bigger pharmacy and more laboratory space. It gives us room to grow."

The United State Department of Health and Human Services announced the awards of $727 million to 143 community health centers across the country. Community health centers serve nearly 19 million patients, about 40 percent of whom have no health insurance. Community health centers deliver preventive and primary care services at more than 7,900 service delivery sites around the country to patients regardless of their ability to pay; charges for services are set according to income.

"There is no question that the economic downturn has made it harder for some Americans to get health care and important preventive services," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Community Health Centers provide quality health care services to Americans across the country but are a life line for those who have lost coverage or are between jobs. These funds from the Affordable Care Act will help get more people care in some communities where there have not been many options in the past."

Allan thanked U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo and U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick for supporting the project.

"This grant award shows the value of partnering with other government agencies and local, state and national leaders," Allan said. "It's something we strive to do and we firmly believe in cooperation to achieve the greater good."