WASHINGTON — A bunch of local health clinics are getting a big shot in the arm. They are sharing millions of dollars in federal grants to expand access to primary care.

Demand is high at these community health centers; more and more newly-insured patients seek access to basic health services.

These grants, most of which are between $200,000 and $300,000, are designed to ease the crunch by enabling clinics to hire more staff, expand hours and services.

Community health centers across the country that provide care to low-income patients — many of them seeking primary care for the first time — are eligible for the federal program.

25 health centers in Virginia received grants, 14 in Maryland, and seven in D.C.

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