Stephanie Krenrich, senior vice president of policy & government affairs at Advocates for Community Health, pointed out that the $1.9 billion in discretionary funding still lacks the long-term stability CHCs need amid ongoing issues with inflation, workforce shortages and other pressures.

ACH is instead urging Congress to reauthorize the Community Health Center Fund at $5.8 billion a year for at least three years, and to fund health centers at $3.2 billion in fiscal 2025 through the appropriations process, Krenrich said.

“While we understand the difficult budget environment on Capitol Hill and are grateful that our funding held steady, this is one more reason that multi-year, stable and increased funding for the mandatory Community Health Center Fund is so necessary,” Krenrich said in an email. “The Community Health Center Fund must be reauthorized again by December 31, and we call on Congress to negotiate long-term and robust funding for it.”