MFH’s Board of Directors established Primary Care Access in 2006 to promote a safety net and improve access to health care for the uninsured and underserved in rural and non-urban settings in the 84-county MFH service area (excluding St. Louis City and County).The goal of this multi-phase funding effort is to add or expand primary care services including mental health, substance abuse, and oral health services. Phase 1 launched in 2006 to help communities expand and start up federally qualified health centers and look-alikes. In 2006 and 2007, a total of $8 million was allocated to 12 grantees across the MFH service area. In 2007-08, MFH worked with the Missouri Association of Rural Health Centers to develop its ability to better support its member clinics. Phase 2 focused on funding for rural health clinics and launched in 2009.