A closer look at how community health centers serve patients, communities, and the healthcare system

Today, Advocates for Community Health launches Inside America’s Health Centers, a new communications video campaign featuring four of its members—CEOs of some of the largest and most innovative health centers in the country.

For five years, ACH has been at the center of these conversations—working alongside health center leaders to elevate their voices, inform federal policy, and deliver results for the communities they serve. This series brings those perspectives forward at a critical moment.

Now Live: Part 1 — At a Breaking Point

The first video in the series, At a Breaking Point, is available now.

In this opening chapter, health center leaders share a candid look at the growing pressures facing their organizations—from workforce shortages to financial strain—and what those challenges mean for patient access and care.

[Watch Part 1 →]

This four-part series features CEOs from leading community health centers nationwide, offering insight into:

  • The operational and financial pressures facing health centers today
  • How federal and state policy decisions impact access to care
  • The role health centers play in improving outcomes and managing costs
  • Why sustained support is critical to maintaining access in underserved areas

These leaders represent organizations at the forefront of community-based care delivery, bringing both scale and innovation to the patients and communities they serve.

Why This Matters Right Now

Community health centers are designed to provide comprehensive, community-based care, including primary care, behavioral health, dental services, and more.

They also contribute to broader healthcare system goals by:

  • Expanding access to preventive and routine care
  • Helping reduce avoidable emergency department use
  • Managing chronic conditions in high-need populations

At the same time, health centers are operating in an environment of increasing demand, workforce challenges, and financial uncertainty.

With federal funding set to expire in December, ongoing 340B challenges, and Medicaid policy changes, decisions made in the coming months will directly affect the ability of health centers to continue serving their patients.

What’s Ahead in the Series

Part 1: At a Breaking Point (Now Available)

An overview of the pressures affecting health centers, including workforce shortages and funding constraints.

Part 2: No Better Investment

A look at how health centers contribute to cost-effective care and system-wide savings.

Part 3: Transforming Lives

Examples of how integrated, community-based care supports better patient outcomes.

Part 4: Why Leaders Choose ACH

Why health center leaders engage with ACH on federal policy and advocacy efforts.

Featuring Health Center Leaders from Across the Country

This series includes voices from:

Each brings a distinct perspective shaped by the communities they serve.

Supporting Resources

To complement the series, ACH is highlighting key policy priorities shaping the future of community health centers. These pages reflect ACH’s ongoing work to elevate health center voices in federal policy discussions and advance practical solutions to the challenges outlined in this series. Explore:

Each policy issue connects directly to the real-world pressures facing health centers today and the policy decisions that will determine their ability to continue serving patients and communities.

Follow along on YouTube as new videos are released each week and hear directly from the leaders working to sustain and strengthen care in their communities.

Sandy Applebee

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