Community health centers in Florida are set to receive more than 1 million dollars through the 2010 health care reform law. The aim of the funding is to help improve quality and access to primary care for those who need it most.

The federal government awarded money to more than 900 community health centers nationwide – including thirty-seven in Florida. Each received $35,000.

The funding is part of a larger push from the Affordable Care Act to strengthen centers such as Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida.

Spokesperson Bob Johns says their funding will go towards creating an Internet portal for patients to see their medical records and to contact physicians.

“The main reason is that we think it will result in better care,” said Johns. “Secondly, we think it will make us more responsive as health care providers. It will help us listen better and it will help us have better information from our patients.”

The Sarasota County Health Department and Collier Health Services also received the federal grant money.  The three community health centers collectively served more than 145 thousand Floridians in 2010.