In March, CVCH CEO Patrick Bucknum, Director of Planning & Development Andy Stewart, and two CVCH board members travelled to Washington D.C. for the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) Policy and Issues Forum. In addition to celebrating the 50th anniversary of Community Health Centers in America, a key focus was petitioning Congress for a legislative solution to the Primary Care funding cliff.
Congress heard the petitions and the House said 'Yay'! Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation which included a two year extension for community Health Center funding at its current level of $3.6 billion per year. It passed with an overwhelming bi-partisan majority. Click here to read NACHC's press release on the vote.
NACHC drafted a letter signed by our state representatives, Congressman Dave Reichert and Congressman Dan Newhouse. Click here to read the letter. Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell also signed their letter, currently circulating through the Senate. This demonstrates a national commitment to and support of community health centers, and the vital role they play in preserving access to care.
“It was evident to me during our meetings with Congressmen Dave Reichert, Dan Newhouse, and Senator Patty Murray that Community Health Centers continue to enjoy bi-partisan support from both houses, and both sides of the aisle,” Patrick said. “We have a growing national crisis around the need to improve the health of our communities, while simultaneously lowering costs. I am pleased to say that there is ample evidence that communities with strong community health centers like CVCH have a healthier population and lower total costs of care than communities who do not.”
Though the act does not provide a long-term solution, it does ensure that current funding will continue for two more years. It is currently in the hands of the Senate, which is expected to demonstrate the same level of support as seen in the house.
