U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced last week that she secured $833,000 for Oasis Free Clinics in Brunswick in the draft Fiscal Year 2023 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill.

The funding would be used by Oasis Free Clinics to expand and renovate its free medical and dental clinic in Brunswick, according to a news released from Collins’ office.

The current clinic space limits the number of people that can be served, the number of staff that can be employed, and the number of volunteers that can be engaged. By adding 2,000 square feet to the facility, Oasis Free Clinics would be able to provide significantly more free health, mental health and dental services to low-income Mainers who face barriers in accessing the care that they need, according to the release.

The bill, which was officially released by the full Senate Appropriations Committee, must still be voted upon by the full Senate and House.

“Mainers in every part of our state should be able to receive the vital medical services they need, which is why I have long advocated for funding to support access to quality health care,” said Sen. Collins. “Oasis Free Clinics provides essential medical care to vulnerable populations in Maine, and this funding would allow the non-profit to expand its health and dental care to serve even more people.”