Tester Delivers $4.4 Million for RiverStone Health

(U.S. Senate) – RiverStone Health can continue to provide quality, affordable care to folks across Yellowstone and Carbon Counties thanks to U.S. Senator Jon Tester, who announced a $4.4 million grant for the community health center in Billings today.

“Community health centers like RiverStone are the first and sometimes only source of care for families across Montana,” Tester said. “This funding will ensure RiverStone can continue to offer high quality, affordable health care to folks across Yellowstone and Carbon Counties.”

Administered by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the $4,487,322 Health Center Cluster grant will make up the bulk of RiverStone Health’s operating budget this year.

“We’re thankful to Senator Tester for all he has done on behalf of RiverStone Health and Community Health Centers in Montana,” said John Felton, President and CEO of RiverStone Health. “This funding will ensure that we can continue providing the affordable, comprehensive dental and primary care our patients rely on.”

Tester led the charge to secure these resources last year after the Community Health Center Fund expired and Congress passed four short-term budgets that failed to renew long-term funding for these critical health care facilities. He was the only member of Montana’s delegation who voted for this funding.

After passing a sweeping legislative package to combat the opioid and meth epidemics in September, Tester also secured more than $4.3 million in federal funding to help 16 community health centers across the state combat drug abuse and addiction-including $285,000 for RiverStone. In August, he secured another $1 million worth of Health Center Quality Improvement grants, including $125,000 for RiverStone.

Tester was recently recognized as a National Champion for Community Health Centers and an advocate for Montana’s patients and medical professionals by the National Association of Community Health Centers.

A full list of his accomplishments on behalf of Montana’s community health centers can be found HERE.