About Us

The Tennessee Primary Care Association (TPCA) improves access to primary health care through leadership, advocacy and support as the voice of Community Health Centers.
 
Founded in 1976, TPCA unites health centers and other providers of care in an effort to improve access for the medically underserved. We are a bridge between community needs and the decision makers at the federal, state, local, and corporate levels. In support of its mission, the Association has a fundamental commitment to maximizing access to health services for all Tennesseans with emphasis on the working poor, the uninsured, TennCare patients, and others most in need.
 
Our members are Tennessee’s federally-funded health centers, primary health care clinics serving the underserved throughout the state.
 
Health centers are private, not-for profit, consumer-directed health care corporations that provide high-quality, cost-effective and comprehensive primary and preventive care to medically underserved and uninsured people. This nationwide network of safety net providers is primarily comprised of health centers that are supported by federal grants under the U. S. Public Health Service Act: Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless Programs, and Public Housing Primary Care Programs. These community-based providers are also commonly referred to as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) because they meet rigorous federal standards related to quality of care, services, and cost, and they are qualified to receive cost-based reimbursement under Medicaid and Medicare law.