Advocates for Community Health (ACH) is very grateful that community health centers were included in the shutdown reopening bill, helping ensure continuity of care for millions of patients nationwide.

“At a time when stability in the health care safety net is more important than ever, we are grateful that lawmakers recognized the critical role health centers play in keeping communities healthy,” said Amanda Pears Kelly, CEO of Advocates for Community Health. “However, these short-term patches come at a real cost — they leave health centers facing continued financial uncertainty and make it difficult to plan for the future.”

ACH emphasizes the need for Congress and the Administration to work together on a long-term, sustainable funding solution that enables health centers to recruit and retain staff, expand services, and meet the growing needs of their communities without interruption.

“Health centers have proven time and again that they are an essential, bipartisan success story,” Pears Kelly added. “We look forward to working with all parties to secure the stability and resources needed to strengthen this lifeline of care for the future.”