What is a Community Health Center?

For more than 50 years, the nation’s network of 1,400 community health centers have served as the health care home for more than 30 million patients. Health centers break down barriers to care by serving all patients regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay, providing culturally and linguistically appropriate care, and offering enabling services to address non-medical needs. Community health centers are consumer-driven and patient-centered organizations that serve as a comprehensive and cost effective primary health care option for America’s most underserved communities. Health centers increase access to health care and provide integrated services based on the unique needs of the communities they serve.

There are four key components that define health centers and help them reach America’s most underserved communities.

Located in Areas of High Need Designated as medically underserved areas or populations by the federal government.	Comprehensive Set of Services Based on community needs, health centers offer medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, and enabling services.

Open to Everyone Regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, and offer sliding fee scale options to low-income patients.	Patient-Majority Governing Boards At least 51% of every health center’s governing board must be made up of patients.