Hawaii community health centers win $10M in grants

HONOLULU

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is awarding $10 million in grants to community health centers on Maui and the Big Island.

The department said Tuesday that the funds are expected to help about 9,000 new patients.

West Hawaii Community Health Center in Kailua-Kona is receiving $5 million. The department is awarding the Community Clinic of Maui in Wailuku $4.6 million.

The Bay Clinic in Hilo will receive $500,000.

The department says it's awarding the grants under the Affordable Care Act, the health care reform law signed by President Barack Obama in 2010.

The law provides $9.5 billion to expand services at community centers over five years. The law also provides $1.5 billion to support major construction and renovation projects at community health centers.