2025 Annual Report

A Message from the CEO

As we close out 2025, it’s impossible to reflect on the year without acknowledging the extraordinary pace and intensity of the health policy environment. Change came quickly and often unpredictably, creating real uncertainty and demanding agility for the nation’s primary care safety net. For community health centers and the nearly 34 million patients who rely on them, 2025 was not only fast-moving; it tested stability, resilience, and long-term planning in profound ways.

And yet, amid the turbulence, Advocates for Community Health (ACH) remained a steady force: proactive when possible, decisive when necessary, and always guided by the needs and realities of our members.

From the anticipated rollout of the 340B Rebate Model to repeated funding cliffs, workforce shortages, and soaring operating costs, health centers were asked to weather storms that no essential provider should have to endure. Federal decisions came fast, sometimes without warning or clarity as changes were implemented overnight, at times leaving health centers struggling to plan for the future. The pace was unyielding and brought real, if at times unintended, consequences for patients and health centers.

Through it all, ACH met the moment and catalyzed the idea that you can’t “Make America Healthy Again” without health centers.

In 2025, we mobilized our largest-ever cohort of 800 health center executives to safeguard Medicaid for health centers and ensured the voices of our members were heard throughout Washington on the impact of the 340B program for health centers. We pushed back against policies that threatened urban and rural communities, brought data and lived experience directly to policymakers, and fought for the protection of 340B, the strengthening of Medicaid, and sustainable Health Center Program funding.

We launched the nation’s first workforce coalition focused specifically on healthcare workforce caring for the underserved, the Alliance to Strengthen America’s Health Workforce for the Underserved. And even in moments of crisis, we made certain that decision-makers understood one essential truth: community health centers are indispensable and remain the best solution to meet the healthcare needs of the nation.

We also expanded our engagement with influential conservative-leaning think tanks and associations, participating in “Make America Healthy Again” workstreams to demonstrate that no provider is better positioned than health centers to advance prevention, chronic disease management, wellness, and patient empowerment. And throughout the year, we worked with covered entities, Congressional champions, and Administration officials to communicate the real and imminent harm the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program would inflict on health centers.

We also invested in the future.

This year marked the 60th anniversary of the Health Center Program—a milestone that underscores six decades of bipartisan commitment to health centers in expanding access, strengthening primary care, and improving health outcomes for underserved communities. To honor this legacy, ACH launched CHC Changemakers, a new initiative recognizing the bipartisan leaders—past and present—whose vision, courage, and partnership have shaped the program’s success. In celebrating these champions, we also recommit ourselves to ensuring the Health Center Program remains strong for the next generation.

Beyond this anniversary, we launched new research initiatives, expanded member support programs such as publishing a Medicaid Playbook for members to help health centers weather the changes resulting from the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, and convened leaders through our most dynamic events to date—including our Annual Member Meeting, which brought together policy experts, lawmakers, and executives for deep, solutions-focused dialogue. We held our first member-led CHC Best Practices Meeting to showcase the best of innovations in primary care delivery. Of equal importance, we strengthened partnerships nationwide, ensuring ACH remains a trusted voice and catalyst for progress.

I’m also proud that we continued to elevate the stories that matter most. Season 1 of Community Health Centers Unfiltered brought frontline perspectives to thousands of listeners, while our new Substack expanded our reach even further.

Looking ahead, we carry the lessons of 2025 with us.

In 2026, ACH will intensify our efforts: fighting for long-term stability, demanding meaningful consultation with federal partners, and advancing transformational policy solutions that strengthen—rather than strain—the health center program and lift up the movement. We will continue to speak truth to power, stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our members, and advocate relentlessly for the communities you serve.

Despite the challenges of this year, I am deeply proud of all we accomplished together—and profoundly grateful for your trust, your resilience, and your leadership.

In a year defined by change and uncertainty, you remained unwavering. And ACH remained unwavering for you.

With gratitude,

Amanda Pears Kelly
CEO, Advocates for Community Health