WASHINGTON – Advocates for Community Health calls on the House of Representatives to pass the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, bipartisan legislation that provides a significant increase for the Community Health Center Fund, which must be reauthorized by January 19. This bill will be considered by the House next week.

This legislation reauthorizes the Community Health Center Fund through calendar year 2025 at $4.4 billion per year, a 10 percent increase over current levels. As health centers experience unprecedented budgetary challenges, this could not come at a more important time, and we are so grateful to these Committees and House leadership for their support of community health centers. We are encouraged to see ACH’s advocacy efforts come to fruition in this bipartisan commitment to investing in a critical part of our nation’s health care safety net.

ACH applauds the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce for working to move this critical funding forward. We especially want to commend Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) as well as Representatives John Joyce (R-PA), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) for their work to advance this funding through the Energy and Commerce Committee and for their steadfast support for the health centers in their communities and throughout the nation.

Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) provide comprehensive, quality care to over 30 million Americans each year, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, and are the best investment you can make in health care. For every $1 invested in primary care services like those provided at FQHCs, $13 is saved in downstream costs. Further, health centers are economic engines for their communities. For every dollar of federal funding invested in community health centers, $11 is generated in total economic activity through increased spending on related health service expenses, food services, transportation, construction, and more.

Once again, we applaud the meaningful investment for health centers contained in the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act and urge members of the House of Representatives to vote yes.

About Advocates for Community Health
Advocates for Community Health (ACH) is a membership organization for federally qualified health centers that strives to advance the delivery of health care to underserved populations and to achieve health equity for patients and communities in need. We are committed to working collaboratively to advance well-defined and forward-thinking policies at the national level. By leveraging the wisdom, agility, and innovation of our members, ACH brings bold leadership to drive change in the American healthcare system. To learn more, visit www.advocatesforcommunityhealth.org or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.