Congress passed a third short-term continuing resolution last week, which includes an extension of health center funding through March 8. Read on to learn more about how you can advocate for a long-term solution for health centers.
Community health centers receive federal funding through the Community Health Center Fund and through the annual appropriations process. The Community Health Center Fund, which is multi-year base funding for health centers, accounts for about 70% of federal funding and was last reauthorized three years ago. Health centers also receive about 30% of their federal funding through the annual appropriations process. September 30, 2023 marked the end of the fiscal year, the date on which both forms of health center funding were set to expire. Congress has since passed multiple short-term continuing resolutions to fund the government and health centers for a few months at a time.
CHC Funding Status
On Thursday, January 18, Congress passed another short-term continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded at current levels and avert a government shutdown. This is the third continuing resolution Congress has passed since the fiscal year ended on September 30, 2023.
The latest CR extends community health center funding and funding for workforce programs, including the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program through March 8. Passage of a third CR is intended to provide more time for Congress to agree on the appropriations bills it needs to pass to fund the government for 2024.
How You Can Help
Since September of last year, community health centers have been operating amid uncertainty about their financial futures. Congress needs to act to pass a long-term solution for health centers so they can invest in the health of their patients and communities!
Between now and March 8, we need all advocates to urge their members of Congress to recognize the value of community health centers and the 423,000 patients they serve in Tennessee. Please reach out to your members of Congress, both the representatives and senators, and urge them to find a solution for health centers!