September Advocacy Letter

Dear [Member of Congress Name],

As an advocate for access to primary health care in underserved communities, I respectfully request that Congress pass bipartisan legislation to extend and increase funding for Community Health Centers. Without Congressional action, health centers’ federal funding will expire on September 30, jeopardizing care for millions.

This month, HealthNet celebrates 55 years of providing affordable primary and preventive care services to anyone who walks in our doors, regardless of insurance status, using an income-adjusted sliding-fee scale. Today, over 1,400 health center organizations serve thousands of communities at 15,000 sites in every state and territory. In 2022, health centers reached a historic milestone of serving more than 31 million patients, including almost 9 million children, nearly 400,000 veterans, and over 9.6 million rural residents. Ninety percent of health center patients are low-income, and more than 60 percent are publicly insured. Health centers also boost the economy, supporting over 500,000 jobs and generating $84.8 billion in economic output and more than $37 billion in labor income for local communities.

The Community Health Center Fund provides approximately 70 percent of health centers’ federal grant funding and will expire on September 30 unless Congress acts now. As small businesses, Community Health Centers must have certainty about their long-term funding to retain and recruit essential providers, expand our care networks into more underserved communities, and continue increasing access to behavioral health and dental services. A lapse in federal funding would jeopardize the progress that has been made and lead to higher cost care for millions.

More than 100 million Americans have difficulty accessing a primary care provider today. With support from Congress, health centers can close this gap. Additional funding for the Community Health Center Fund will allow health centers to meet the needs of their patients by deepening services to address the current behavioral health crisis and open sites to expand access to primary care in new communities.

Community Health Centers’ mission and record of success have saved taxpayer dollars and lives. I urge you to extend and increase federal funding so that health centers can continue providing quality and affordable care to those in need.

Sincerely,