National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)’s Post

BETHESDA, MD — At a news briefing today, health center advocates described how fiscal uncertainty affects operations among the nation’s Community Health Centers, creating disruptions in hiring clinicians and planning services for the 31.5 million patients they serve. Unless Congress acts by September 30, 2023, all federal funding for health centers expires. NACHC has been leading the push among health center advocates across the country for bipartisan legislation to address the looming expiration of the Community Health Center Fund (CHCF) and critical primary care workforce programs, such as the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and the Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program. The CHCF represents 70 percent of health center funding. #fqhc #communityhealthcenters Contact your MOC to urge them to continue funding the nations Community Health Centers or see the already fragile U.S. healthcare system become unsustainable. The irony in all of this is that their delivery model in reducing cost while providing higher quality care is irrefutable. Making Care Primary is the common sense approach to how we need to reform and re-engineer the way we deliver healthcare in America.

While this is very good news, there is more that needs to be done. We need a longer-term funding appropriation so FQHCs carry forward their missions beyond one year (or 9-months). FQHCs are a driving force in providing access to primary care services, achieving high quality clinical outcomes, and implement innovations that reduce costs to treat. FQHCs need guaranteed long-term funding to support carrying out these initiatives, implementing strategic plans, and developing solutions to workforce needs.

ACH commends Congressional leaders for coming to a bipartisan agreement and finalizing funding for the Community Health Center Trust Fund through the end of 2024 as part of the larger funding package released tonight. This funding level constitutes a 10% increase in the rate of funding for the remainder of the year and is a sorely needed step in the right direction. We are exceedingly grateful to the champions for community health centers, as well as Congressional and Committee leaders, for prioritizing funding for the nation’s largest primary care network. While the need across the country – to meet increasing patient demand, to account for historic budgetary and workforce challenges, and to continue to drive excellence in primary health care – far exceeds this number, we recognize and deeply appreciate this investment. In addition, we are deeply grateful that both the National Health Service Corps and Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program received increases through this calendar year, as both programs are central to the work of our members. Read our full statement👇 https://hubs.li/Q02mYDsy0 #CHCs #CHCfunding #communityhealthcenters #communityhealth #healthcareworkforce #healthcarecosts #congress2024 #bipartisan #healthcarefunding

Arc Health clinicians aim to understand the social, historical, environmental, structural, and political forces that impact health. In everyday clinical care, they address the social dimensions of health and illness or the ‘upstream’ factors like poverty, the environment, education, housing, and the larger healthcare system. Our clinicians work both in and outside of the clinical setting to advocate for patients and alleviate disparities. As a company, Arc Health pushes itself and our clinicians to engage with issues of social justice and equity in order to increase our understanding of the social determinants of health. Arc Health clinicians are a part of something larger than day-to-day clinical activities. Outside of working alongside employees at hardworking and deserving small, rural health centers, you will also be invited into a supportive and dedicated community of like-minded healthcare practitioners from around the US. Join us in our Mission to connect the best healthcare clinicians to the underserved while utilizing an ethos embedded in health equity and social justice. We actively seek physicians and other advanced practice clinicians of multiple specialties to serve rural, underserved, and tribal communities. We prioritize working with dedicated and energetic clinician leaders who embrace our mission and the practice of social medicine. #ArcHealth #HealthEquity #SocialJustice #UnderservedCommunities

Health care access and health outcomes are deeply unequal in the Commonwealth, especially for people of color. An Act to Advance Health Equity will support the fair opportunity for all in Massachusetts to live longer, healthier lives. Lawmakers Need to Hear from Us! The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Healthcare Financing is reviewing An Act to Advance Health Equity (S.799) to determine if they will advance it out of the committee and move it forward in the legislative process. Join the Health Equity Compact plus Atrius Health Equity Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, Point32Health, The Boston Foundation plus many of our leading hospitals, community health centers and others in supporting this critical legislation. #HealthEquity #AnActToAdvanceHealthEquity

Healthcare equity is vital because it ensures that every individual receives fair and just treatment in accessing healthcare services. Let me illustrate this with an example: Consider Sarah, a working mother living in a rural area with limited access to healthcare facilities. Sarah works two jobs to support her family and struggles to find the time and means to seek medical care when needed. Despite experiencing concerning symptoms, such as persistent coughing and fatigue, she hesitates to visit a doctor due to the cost of transportation and medical expenses. Meanwhile, across town, John, who lives in a more affluent neighborhood, has easy access to state-of-the-art healthcare facilities and ample resources to cover any medical expenses. When John experiences similar symptoms, he promptly schedules an appointment with his primary care #physician , receives thorough diagnostic tests, and begins treatment without financial worry. In this scenario, healthcare equity would ensure that Sarah, like John, has timely access to quality healthcare services without facing barriers such as financial constraints or geographic limitations. By addressing disparities in access to care, we can strive to provide equal opportunities for all individuals to achieve optimal health outcomes. Promoting #healthcare #equity not only benefits individuals like Sarah but also contributes to building a healthier and more #resilient community. It aligns with the principles of #socialjustice and human rights, fostering a #society where everyone has the opportunity to lead a healthy and fulfilling life, regardless of their #background or circumstances.

Check out this post!

School based clinics are an essential component to preventive healthcare. This is true for physical health for mental health and for over all well being! We are proud to be first in using this model to serve the community for the past 50 years! However, there is still lots of work to be done! #healthandwellbeing #healthequity #schoolbasedclinics #mncare #mn #healthy #preventativecare #integratedcare