WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith announced Tuesday that 19 community health centers in Mississippi, including one in Port Gibson, will receive more than $17.25 million to support their efforts to provide care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The health center funding stems from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) enacted on March 27. The legislation provides $1.32 billion in supplemental funding to community health centers.

Claiborne County Family Health Center in Port Gibson will receive $ 583,145.

“Mississippi community health centers are on the front lines of testing and treating patients for COVID-19.  As this disease affects more Mississippians, the pressure on these centers will only increase,” Hyde-Smith said. “These grants represent an initial distribution of federal funding to support their work in these challenging times.”

The Health Resources and Services Administration approved the CARES Act health center funding to help improve access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable.

The CARES Act, as well as earlier COVID-19 response legislation, also adds support for community health centers to expand access to telemedicine services. Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over HRSA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, worked to secure these provisions.