LCHC gets grant money for testing; caregivers get crisis pay

LYNN — Lynn Community Health Center has received a $715,000 federal boost for its coronavirus testing capacity, and the facility’s healthcare employees will also receive some financial relief through union-negotiated temporary wage increases. Distributed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the  federal grant was awarded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The new grant supplements the $1.228 million stimulus grant the health center received last month through the $2 trillion coronavirus economic relief package that passed through Congress and was signed by President Donald Trump in late March. “Better late than never,” said U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton in a statement. “This news is long overdue, but it’s good news for everyone. We’ve known since the beginning of this that testing is critical. To have any chance of reopening safely, we need much more testing, and this is a step in that direction.” Unlike the initial funding, which the health center was able to put toward making up for its loss of revenue and additional expenses it had incurred during the pandemic, the latest grant is specifically earmarked for coronavirus testing, according to LCHC CEO Dr. Kiame Mahaniah. “We’re not billing people for the tests, the lab that’s running the tests will not be billing patients either,” said Mahaniah. “This funding allows us to deliver on the federal government’s promise that you can get tested and treated for coronavirus illness regardless of insurance. “Our goal from a public health standpoint is to be able to test about 500 people a day, so that’s what we’re going to do. This funding allows us to consider reaching that goal without figuring out how to charge or bill people. It allows us to focus on delivering that needed service to the city of Lynn.” ...