Mealey's (June 12, 2015, 4:35 PM EDT) -- WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than $295 million in Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) funds have been awarded in an effort to help health centers expand access to primary care services, according to a Sept. 12 , 2014,release by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

HHS said the awards would fund 4,750 new staff members at 1,195 health centers, allowing them to stay open later and expand the care they provide.

The expanded hours and services should reach 1.5 million new patients,...