Evanston Mayor Tisdahl Meets in Washington, DC on Health Center Project

From the City of Evanston:

Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl went to Washington, DC Thursday for a series of meetings on behalf of the City’s application for Federal support to create a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in the Evanston. This FQHC would be managed by Erie Family Health Care in partnership with the City. Accompanying the Mayor on the trip was Dr. Lee Francis, CEO of Erie Family Health Care and Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz.

The Mayor met with Representative Jan Schakowsky and Senator Richard Durbin. Both Schakowsky and Durbin have previously lent their support to the City’s application and pledged to continue efforts on behalf of the City’s application. “I appreciate the support of Representative Schakowsky and Senator Durbin in our efforts,” said Mayor Tisdahl. “They both took time from a very busy schedule of votes before the House and Senate yesterday to meet with us and strategize how best to advocate for our FQHC start-up application. Their support of Evanston is truly outstanding.” the Mayor concluded.

The Mayor also met with representatives from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. HRSA administers the FQHC program. HRSA officials explained the latest on the status of the overall grant progress and confirmed that the City should receive word on its application in early August.

A Federally Qualified Health Center in Evanston would deliver health care to over 5,000 patients through over 18,000 patient visits who live in households earning under 200% of the Federal poverty level. This initial Federal grant of $600,000 would help provide initial operating costs for the center for three years.

Photo from Senator Durbin’s Office: http://durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/photos?ID=583e99f1-f3f5-4b4c-82a4-dd032f604c19