- The Community Health Center Program, which is administered by HHS, awards grants to outpatient health care facilities that provide care to medically underserved areas or populations.
- Discretionary and Mandatory: The program is funded through–
- annual discretionary appropriations (Labor-HHS bill); and
- the Community Health Center Fund — mandatory funding enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act.
- CHC’s are governed by a community board composed of a majority (51% or more) of health center patients who represent the population served.
- CHC’s provide comprehensive primary health care services as well as supportive services (education, translation and transportation, etc.) that promote access to health care.
- CHC’s provide services available to all with fees adjusted based on ability to pay.
- NACHC: What is a community health center?
- HRSA (HHS) Community Health Center program requirements
- CRS: The Community Health Center Fund: In Brief
- KFF: Community Health Centers: Recent Growth and the Role of the ACA Jan 2017