FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy Simmons Farber, 202-309-0338
Bethesda, MD — House passage of the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” (H.R. 1) reconciliation bill puts millions of Americans at risk of losing health coverage, including millions of Community Health Center (CHC) patients. NACHC is deeply concerned about the immediate impact of this legislation and urges the Senate to take into consideration the important role health centers play in serving their patients.
“CHCs save lives and money and proudly serve more than 16 million patients insured through Medicaid who include veterans, children, seniors, farmers, ranchers, and families who need affordable healthcare,” said Kyu Rhee, MD, MPP, President and CEO of NACHC. “CHC patients who are insured through Medicaid stay healthier thanks to regular access to high quality, comprehensive primary care. These patients have fewer Emergency Department visits, hospitalizations, and specialty visits than patients at other providers, saving lives and billions of taxpayer dollars every year. We need healthcare reforms that incentivize greater access and investments in affordable, comprehensive, effective primary care.”
Two million Community Health Center patients could lose health coverage
Based on the Congressional Budget Office projections, NACHC estimates that the House bill could cause 2 million patients insured through Medicaid to lose health coverage. Patients insured through Medicaid rely on their local health centers to help them manage their diabetes, high blood pressure, substance use, behavioral health, and so many other chronic conditions.
CHCs already face significant financial challenges and cannot absorb further reductions in Medicaid funding. These proposals come at a time of intense financial pressure that is already straining CHCs. The average financial margin for CHCs approaches a negative 2.2% while 42% of CHCs report having 90 days or less cash on hand.
As the Senate takes up the budget reconciliation process, CHCs stand ready to work with leaders on policy changes that invest in primary care and Medicaid and deliver cost-savings to taxpayers.