Nearly $188 Million In Rural Health Funding Announced, Community Health Northwest Florida Wins Region's Largest Award

Escambia County, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- Governor Ron DeSantis has announced nearly one-hundred-eighty-eight million dollars to strengthen rural health care across Florida, with the Northwest Region receiving the largest share at eighty-one million dollars. Locally, Community Health Northwest Florida landed an eight-point-seven-million-dollar, five-year grant, the third-largest award in the state. The organization plans to expand two clinic locations in Century, adding pediatric and adult primary care along with women's health, behavioral health, and opioid treatment services, both accessible to nearby Jay in Santa Rosa County. C-E-O Chandra Smiley says the goal is bringing care closer to rural patients and keeping them out of emergency rooms.