NACHC Hails Launch of Senate Community Health Center Caucus

Bethesda, MD-The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) applauds Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) for relaunching the Senate Community Health Center Caucus. The goal of the revitalized Caucus is to ensure that Community Health Centers (CHCs) receive the necessary resources and legislative support they need to provide high-quality, affordable primary care to communities across the United States.

"Community Health Centers save lives and reduce spending, making them the employer, provider, and partner of choice in health care. On behalf of the country's 1,512 health centers, NACHC appreciates the leadership of Senators Cornyn and Hickenlooper in reviving the Senate Community Health Center Caucus," said NACHC President and CEO Kyu Rhee, MD, MPP. "The launch of the Senate Caucus, together with the launch of the House Caucus earlier this year, marks a crucial step in the advancement of policy to ensure that CHCs can continue their 60-year legacy of transforming communities and improving health outcomes."

Earlier this year, Representatives Troy Balderson (R-OH), Danny Davis (D-IL), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) announced the relaunch of the Community Health Center Caucus in the House. The House Caucus aims to shape policies that support CHCs and build thriving communities.

Celebrating 60 years since the first CHCs were established in 1965, CHCs are now the nation's largest primary care system, serving at least 34 million and up to 52 million Americans. That's at least 1 in 10 and up to 1 in 7 of all Americans. In rural areas, CHCs serve at least 1 in 5 and as many as 1 in 3 residents. The nation's 1,512 CHCs are also drivers of economic growth and opportunity in their communities, employing nearly 330,000 hard-working providers and staff in more than 17,000 locations.

Despite their widespread reach, CHCs make up only 1% of U.S. healthcare spending. In many rural and hard-to-reach areas, CHCs are the sole primary care provider, providing crucial access to care and driving economic and job opportunities for communities.

The evidence shows that CHCs' unique model of preventive care saves lives, reduces health care spending, and improves health outcomes by managing chronic conditions and keeping patients out of emergency departments.

NACHC urges Senators to join the Senate Community Health Center Caucus to support CHCs' critical work of transforming communities across America by improving health outcomes, filling gaps in access to care, and reducing health care spending.

About NACHC

NACHC's mission is to champion Community Health Centers delivering affordable, effective, comprehensive primary care that is community-driven and improves health for all.