The federal Bureau of Primary Care notified Flathead Community Health Center officials this week that money has been appropriated to continue operating the center “into the future.”

In a press release, Wendy Doely, executive director of the Kalispell health center, said money now is available to continue services at the current level through the end of this fiscal year. She also said the center’s five-year grant application was approved.

“With this notice, prior concerns about the future funding for the center have been relieved,” she said. “Flathead Community Health Center dental and medical clinics will continue to provide quality, affordable [care] to local residents.”

The release did not provide details about how the federal revenue was restored. Health department officials could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

Before the notice, the center had only a guarantee of money to operate through May 31 due to cuts in federal spending legislation. Along with dropping $650,000 for the health center in Kalispell, the legislation eliminated $200,000 for family planning.

Doely said that in spite of ongoing concerns about family planning appropriations, the program will continue to provide reproductive care in the Flathead Valley because of the reinstatement of federal funds in the state budget.

In the last year, the health center employed 31 people who served 5,500 patients. It targets families who earn incomes of 200 percent or less of the poverty level.

For 2011, a family of four could qualify making up to $44,700 a year. People pay on a sliding scale according to income.

A little more than 60 percent of patients have no insurance. 

“We’re serving a lot of people without existing insurance who would not get care except emergency care,” Doely said in an earlier interview.

The funding reductions not only threatened dental and basic medical services but also screenings for cancer and sexually transmitted diseases.

In an effort to combat the expected funding cuts, the board of directors of the health center organized a “Save the Center” rally in early March where people were encouraged to send messages to legislators by computer, fax or phone calls. Meetings also were scheduled with state and federal legislative representatives.

In the press release, the board and staff thanked citizens for the “overwhelming support”  expressed in letters and petitions. People interested in more information about the health center may call 751-8113.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at [email protected].