$80 million for school-based healthcare

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- More than $80 million in federal funding went to 197 school-based healthcare programs -- the third and final round of grants, U.S. officials say.

"School-based health centers are leading the way in redefining health for kids and teens and I congratulate all the recipients," Linda Juszczak, president of the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care, said in a statement. "They excel at ensuring students get the physical, mental, and other healthcare services they need. This is critically-needed funding that will benefit schools and communities as well as students and their families."

Made available through the Affordable Care Act and announced by the Health Resources and Services Administration, the funds were designed to improve access to primary, mental and oral healthcare for school-age children.

Since 2011, 520 school-based healthcare programs received a total of $189,935,418, with 47 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico receiving funding. Three new states -- Idaho, Nevada and Utah -- were added to the list of grant recipients.

The states ranking in the Top 5 of overall funding total awards were California, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan and New York. The only states not to benefit from the grants made available through healthcare reform were Vermont, New Hampshire and North Dakota.