Recent activity in the House Energy & Commerce (E&C) Committee shows that bipartisan support for Community Health Centers (CHCs) and access to primary care remains strong.
The School-Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act of 2026 (H.R. 8209), introduced by Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH), would authorize $55 million annually (level funding) for the next five years to support School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs).
CHCs serve nearly 9.8 million students annually and operate nearly 4,500 SBHC sites across the country. SBHCs provide routine checkups, chronic disease management, behavioral health care, dental services, and other essential care. For many children and adolescents, especially those living in medically underserved areas, SBHCs are often the most accessible point of care.
This month, E&C advanced SBHC reauthorization with unanimous support, bringing Congress one step closer to renewing critical funding for care delivered directly where children spend most of their day: at school.
Bringing Community Health Center Voices to Congress
On April 15th, the Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing examining a slate of bipartisan healthcare legislation, including the SBHC reauthorization bill.
Jamie Ulmer, President and CEO of Healthcare Network in southwest Florida, and a member of the NACHC Board of Directors, testified on behalf of CHCs. Working closely with NACHC staff ahead of the hearing, he addressed three pieces of legislation under consideration:
- The School-Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act of 2026 (H.R. 8209), sponsored by Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Troy Balderson (R-OH).
- The Nutrition Education and Chronic Disease Prevention in Community Health Centers Act of 2026 (yet to be introduced), led by Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN). This bill would authorize funding under Section 330 to expand nutrition education and counseling services at CHCs.
- The Expanding Community Access to Health Services Act (H.R. 8201), sponsored by Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV). This bill would authorize $700 million annually through 2031 for grants to expand behavioral health services at CHCs.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Ulmer outlined key legislative priorities for CHCs and shared compelling examples of how access to primary care improves outcomes for students and families. His testimony drew strong engagement from lawmakers across the political spectrum, who sought frontline insight into the federal policies and investments needed to strengthen access to primary care nationwide.
After the hearing, NACHC’s CEO, Kyu Rhee, MD, MPP, wrote to the Committee endorsing all three bills and urging the Committee to advance them.
260513 NACHC Letter to EnC re CHC Bills
The SBHC Bill Advances in Subcommittee:
On May 13th, the E&C Health Subcommittee announced it would consider the SBHC legislation at a markup while lawmakers continue negotiations on the other two bills, neither of which has bipartisan support. Ahead of the markup, NACHC advocacy staff worked with Congressional offices to provide data, background materials, and talking points underscoring the importance of SBHCs nationwide.
During markup, Rep. Balderson, one of the bill’s lead sponsors, spoke passionately about SBHCs’ role in addressing persistent barriers to care, including provider shortages, long travel distances, and limited access to pediatric and behavioral health services. He also highlighted the growing need for youth mental health support in schools, pointing to an increased demand for counseling and early intervention.
Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) also spoke in support of the bill, citing NACHC data showing that while CHCs serve 18% of children in his home state of California, nearly 30% of kids still don’t receive an annual checkup. He stated, “School-based care is essential to closing this gap.”
The SBHC legislation advanced out of the markup by voice vote.
Full Committee Approval
After subcommittee approval, SBHC reauthorization advanced to a full E&C markup on May 21st.
Rep. Tonko highlighted the reach and impact of SBHCs, highlighting the work of two CHCs in his district, Whitney Young Health and Hometown Health, which run multiple school-based sites. He urged the committee to think “bigger and bolder,” emphasizing that expanded funding could bring hundreds of new sites online and that strengthening Medicaid and CHIP is key to sustaining the SBHC model. “Our children deserve nothing less,” stated Rep. Tonko.
At the conclusion of the markup, the committee voted 46-0 to advance the reauthorization bill for consideration by the full House of Representatives.
What Happens Next?
It is unclear when the full House could vote on the legislation, and no Senate companion has been introduced yet. For advocates, providers, educators, and families, the committee’s unanimous support sends a powerful signal that Congress recognizes SBHCs as an effective and essential primary care provider. NACHC is grateful for the advocacy from CHCs and SBHCs that have built strong momentum to this point and will continue to keep the field up to date about legislative developments.