As the House and Senate move forward with the budget reconciliation process, Advocates for Community Health (ACH) urges lawmakers to work closely with community health centers to protect Medicaid funding that helps address chronic illness and strengthens America’s primary care system.

“Our members—some of the nation’s largest community health centers—are committed to keeping care accessible,” said Amanda Pears Kelly, CEO of Advocates for Community Health. “We urge lawmakers to protect coverage through the Medicaid program, to ensure continued access to services like adult dental care, mammography, and school-based health, especially in rural areas where they’re needed most.”

Medicaid is the largest source of funding for health centers, accounting for 51% of total community health center revenue. One in two community health center patients is covered by Medicaid in the U.S.

“Finding a large amount of savings through cuts to the Medicaid program could have dire consequences for community health centers, their patients, and the communities they serve. Access to care is first and foremost, but the reality is that large scale changes could threaten their ability to make ends meet and cut drastically into their budgets; there is a ripple effect that is felt across not just patients but the community in the form of jobs and the economy, particularly in rural areas,” added Pears Kelly.

Medicaid coverage has been proven to improve health outcomes, prevent premature deaths, and reduce medical debt and the likelihood of catastrophic medical costs. The Congressional Budget Office found that care provided at community health centers leads to more cost-effective care and lower federal spending for the Medicaid and Medicare programs as well as lower spending in emergency departments, inpatient hospital settings, and other outpatient services.

“Community health centers stand ready to work with lawmakers on policies that create an even more effective, efficient Medicaid program for America’s rural and underserved communities, while ensuring continued access to the health care Americans need to thrive,” said Pears Kelly.

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About Advocates for Community Health
Established in 2021, Advocates for Community Health (ACH) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit membership organization of community health centers dedicated to forward-thinking and ambitious federal policy and advocacy on behalf of health centers, their patients, and their communities. To learn more, visit advocatesforcommunityhealth.org.