The following statement was issued today by Advocates for Community Health CEO Amanda Pears Kelly, in response to the proposed bipartisan FY26 Appropriations “Minibus” announcement:

“We are grateful for the bipartisan support for health centers and the funding increase included through the end of 2026. Advancing this legislation required significant collaboration and reflects a shared recognition of the essential role health centers play in caring for nearly 34 million patients nationwide.

At the same time, health centers continue to face immense strain from workforce shortages, ongoing pressure on the 340B program, changes to Medicaid, and years of underinvestment. This legislation is an important step forward and presents an opportunity for lawmakers to build on this momentum by making a sustained, long-term investment in the Health Center Program and the National Health Service Corps beyond 2026. We look forward to working with bipartisan champions to ensure health centers are not only stable, but positioned to innovate and meet patients’ needs now and in the future.”