Rep. Panetta Announces $3.46 Million HHS Grant for Salud Para La Gente

SALINAS, CA – On Monday, November 22 Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grant totaling $3.46 million for the Salud Para La Gente healthcare organization. Salud Para La Gente has healthcare clinics in Santa Cruz County and North Monterey County that during the COVID-19 pandemic provided tens of thousands of tests, administered over 30,000 vaccines, delivered over 200 prescription medications, and published 27 in-language communication campaigns. “Salud Para La Gente has long been a cornerstone for our home on the Central Coast by providing the necessary health care for those who need it the most. During the pandemic, especially, its clinics worked diligently to treat and vaccinate the farmworker and immigrant communities that got hit hard with COVID-19,” said Rep. Panetta. “This grant will not only help Salud Para La Gente continue its amazing work as a healthcare provider, it also will help solidify it as the moral identity of our community.” “We are delighted to be awarded $3.5 million by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. This funding allows Salud Para La Gente to continue its essential mission to ensure our community has a doctor when it needs one. Salud will use this award to increase access to comprehensive primary care for our Pajaro Valley community,” largely made up Latinx Spanish speakers who have been disproportionally affected by this pandemic, said Dori Rose Inda, Chief Executive Officer of Salud Para La Gente. The funding for this grant comes through the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Health Center Cluster grant program, which is one of many programs that distributes Affordable Care Act (ACA) funding to community health centers across the country. About Salud Para La Gente Salud Para La Gente has been committed to providing exceptional healthcare to a medically underserved and vulnerable community since 1978. Salud's multidisciplinary teams provide medical, dental, vision, chiropractic care, behavioral health, and insurance enrollment services to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Through extensive outreach and education, Salud services connect community members and their families with the information and community resources they need to be healthy. Salud serves over 30,000 patients through more than 155,000 visits annually.