Advocates for Community Health (ACH) is gravely concerned that progress on the continuing resolution and year-end package has stalled and urges congressional leaders to find a solution to the current impasse. The legislative package now on hold contains two years of mandatory funding for community health centers. ACH urges Congress to include this provision for health centers in any package that is ultimately voted on.

“This ongoing uncertainty, and the threat of a government shutdown, is dire for non-profit community health centers that depend on predictability and consistency for their funding to serve their patients and work with extremely thin budget margins,” said ACH CEO Amanda Pears Kelly. “There is very little room for error, particularly given the many other financial challenges that health centers are facing, and Congress’s inaction could mean some health centers have to shut down for good. Rural and underserved communities already have few options for care, and this would put them in an impossible position.”

Data has shown time and again that health centers save billions for the Federal Government by providing the primary care and chronic disease management that keeps people healthy and out of costly care settings like emergency rooms. Congressional leaders must ensure that health centers have the funding stability they need to plan ahead and continue providing care to more than 32 million patients nationwide.

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.

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