JustCare

Tag: FQHC

  • 2025: Programs that lower your costs if you have Medicare

    2025: Programs that lower your costs if you have Medicare

    Medicare only covers about half of a typical person’s health care costs, leaving people with average annual out-of-pocket costs of $7,000. So, even with Medicare, many people struggle to afford premiums, deductibles and other costs. Some people qualify for Medicaid, which fills most of the gaps in Medicare. But, if you do not qualify for Medicaid, there are other programs that lower your health care costs. Click here or contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to find out if you are eligible for any of these programs and how to apply.

    1. Medicare Savings Programs. Depending on your income, Medicare Savings Programs, administered by Medicaid, help pay for Medicare premiums and coinsurance, even if you don’t qualify for Medicaid. There are three programs, Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified-Low Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualified Individual (QI). Income and asset limits, and how they are counted, are listed below for 2025, but vary somewhat by state. You might qualify for these programs in your state even if your income or assets are higher than the federal amounts listed below. States sometimes exclude certain income and assets when determining your eligibility. You should apply through your state Medicaid office.

    • Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)—100 percent of federal poverty level (FPL) + $20. If you have QMB, you should not have out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-approved services in traditional Medicare or for in-network services in a Medicare Advantage plan. It should cover premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copays for Medicare-covered services.
      • Income limit monthly depends upon where you live but is around
        • $1,325 for individuals
        • $1,783 for couples
      • Asset limit
        • Individuals: $9,660
        • Couples: $14,470
    • Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)—120 percent of FPL + $20. SLMB helps pay your Medicare Part B premium, if you have Part A and Part B.
      • Income limit monthly depends upon where you live but is around
        • $1,585 for individuals
        • $2.135 for couples
      • Asset limit
        • Individuals: $9,660
        • Couples: $14,470
    • Qualifying Individual (QI)—135 percent of FPL +$20, helps pay your Medicare Part B premium if you have Medicare Part A and Part B.
      • Income limit monthly depends upon where you live but is around
        • $1,781 for individuals
        • $2,400 for couples
      • Asset limit
        • Individuals: $9,660
        • Couples: $14,470

    Several valuable items are not counted as income and assets. No matter what state you live in, the first $20 of your income and the first $65 of your monthly wages are not counted as income. In addition, half of your monthly wages, after the first $65 is not counted, nor are food stamps. Some of your assets are also not counted, including your primary home, if you own it, your car, your wedding and engagement rings, a burial plot and $1,500 in burial funds, your life insurance with a cash value less than $1,500, and your furniture, household and personal items. Your bank accounts, stocks and bonds are counted.

    Tip: If your income is low but too high to qualify you for Medicaid, it is worth looking into whether you qualify for any of these programs. According to MACPAC, an independent agency that advises Congress on Medicaid policy, slightly more than half the people over 65 who qualify for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program (53%) are enrolled. And, an even smaller share of people over 65 who qualify for the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary program (32%) are enrolled. About one in seven people over 65 (15%) who qualify for the QI program are enrolled.

    2. Extra Help with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage: You will automatically qualify for the Extra Help program, which is administered by Medicaid, if you qualify for Medicaid or any of the above low-income programs or receive Supplemental Security Income benefits. You can also apply for Extra Help independently. Extra Help pays for some or all of the cost of your Part D drug coverage and is estimated to be worth around $5,100 a year. The amount of help with cost-sharing depends on the level of your income and assets. In 2025, you may qualify if you have up to $1,976 in monthly income ($2,664 for couples) and up to $17,600 in assets ($35,130 for a married couple). With Extra Help your drug costs are no more than $4.90 for each generic/$12.15 for each brand-name covered drug, if your monthly income is above $1,325. Your drug costs are no more than $1.60 for each generic/$4.80 for each brand-name covered drug, if your monthly income is below $1,325. If your total drugs costs–what you and your health plan pay) go above $2,000 this year, you’ll pay nothing more. And, depending upon your income, you may pay only part of your Medicare drug plan premiums and deductibles. (Some states have State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs that provide even more assistance.)

    3. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other programs run by the Human Resources and Services Administration: FQHCs are located across the country and provide a wide range of services to underserved populations and areas on a sliding-fee scale. They might waive the Medicare deductible and coinsurance, depending upon your income.

    4. Hill-Burton programs offer free or reduced care at Hill-Burton facilities in 38 states. Hill-Burton does not cover services fully covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Eligibility depends on your family size and income.

    5. Veterans’ Administration: If you are a vet, the Veterans’ Administration (VA) offers low-cost services and prescription drugs directly. And, you can have VA coverage as well as Medicare.

    Keep in mind that you may be eligible for Medicaid based on your income after paying for some health care costs. To contact your state Medicaid office, click here.

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • 2024: Programs that lower your health care costs if you have Medicare

    2024: Programs that lower your health care costs if you have Medicare

    Medicare only covers about half of a typical person’s health care costs, leaving people with average annual out-of-pocket costs of $7,000. So, even with Medicare, many people struggle to afford premiums, deductibles and other costs. Some people qualify for Medicaid, which fills most of the gaps in Medicare. But, if you do not qualify for Medicaid, there are other programs that lower your health care costs. Click here or contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to find out if you are eligible for any of these programs and how to apply.

    1. Medicare Savings Programs. Depending on your income, Medicare Savings Programs, administered by Medicaid, help pay for Medicare premiums and coinsurance, even if you don’t qualify for Medicaid. There are three programs, Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified-Low Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualified Individual (QI). Income and asset limits, and how they are counted, are listed below for 2024, but vary somewhat by state. You might still qualify for these programs in your state even if your income or assets are higher than the federal amounts listed below. States sometimes exclude certain income and assets when determining your eligibility. You should apply through your state Medicaid office.

    • Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)—100 percent of federal poverty level (FPL) + $20. If you have QMB, you should not have out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-approved services in traditional Medicare or for in-network services in a Medicare Advantage plan. It should cover premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copays for Medicare-covered services.
      • Income limit monthly depends upon where you live but is around
        • $1,275 for individuals
        • $1,724 for couples
      • Asset limit
        • Individuals: $9,430
        • Couples: $14,130
    • Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)—120 percent of FPL + $20. SLMB helps pay your Medicare Part B premium, if you have Part A and Part B.
      • Income limit monthly depends upon where you live but is around
        • $1,526 for individuals
        • $2.064 for couples
      • Asset limit
        • Individuals: $9,430
        • Couples: $14,130
    • Qualifying Individual (QI)—135 percent of FPL +$20, helps pay your Medicare Part B premium if you have Medicare Part A and Part B.
      • Income limit monthly depends upon where you live but is around
        • $1,715 for individuals
        • $2,320 for couples
      • Asset limit
        • Individuals: $9,430
        • Couples: $14,600

    Several valuable items are not counted as income and assets. No matter what state you live in, the first $20 of your income and the first $65 of your monthly wages are not counted as income. In addition, half of your monthly wages, after the first $65 is not counted, nor are food stamps. Some of your assets are also not counted, including your primary home, if you own it, your car, your wedding and engagement rings, a burial plot and $1,500 in burial funds, your life insurance with a cash value less than $1,500, and your furniture, household and personal items. Your bank accounts, stocks and bonds are counted.

    Tip: If your income is low but too high to qualify you for Medicaid, it is worth looking into whether you qualify for any of these programs. According to MACPAC, an independent agency that advises Congress on Medicaid policy, less than a half the people over 65 who qualify for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program (48%) are enrolled. And, an even smaller share of people over 65 who qualify for the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary program (28%) are enrolled. About one in seven people over 65 (15%) who qualify for the QI program are enrolled.

    2. Extra Help with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage: You will automatically qualify for the Extra Help program, which is administered by Medicaid, if you qualify for Medicaid or any of the above low-income programs or receive Supplemental Security Income benefits. You can also apply for Extra Help independently. Extra Help pays for some or all of the cost of your Part D drug coverage and is estimated to be worth around $5,100 a year. The amount of help with cost-sharing depends on the level of your income and assets. In 2024, you may qualify if you have up to $22,590 in annual income ($30,660 for a married couple) and up to $17,220 in assets ($34,360 for a married couple). With Extra Help your drug costs are no more than $4.50 for each generic/$11.20 for each brand-name covered drug. If your total drugs costs–what you and your health plan pay) go above $8,000 this year, you’ll pay nothing more. And, depending upon your income, you may pay only part of your Medicare drug plan premiums and deductibles. (Some states have State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs that provide even more assistance.)

    3. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other programs run by the Human Resources and Services Administration: FQHCs are located across the country and provide a wide range of services to underserved populations and areas on a sliding-fee scale. They might waive the Medicare deductible and coinsurance, depending upon your income.

    4. Hill-Burton programs offer free or reduced care at Hill-Burton facilities in 38 states. Hill-Burton does not cover services fully covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Eligibility depends on your family size and income.

    5. Veterans’ Administration: If you are a vet, the Veterans’ Administration (VA) offers low-cost services and prescription drugs directly. And, you can have VA coverage as well as Medicare.

    Keep in mind that you may be eligible for Medicaid based on your income after paying for some health care costs. To contact your state Medicaid office, click here.

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • Senator Sanders wants greater US investment in community health centers

    Senator Sanders wants greater US investment in community health centers

    Sen. Bernie Sanders, Chair of the Senate HELP Committee, is focused on expanding the number of primary care physicians in the US. His recent bill would put $100 billion into community health centers, sometimes called Federally Qualified Health Centers or “FQHCs” in the next five years to train physicians, nurses and other health professionals. If you do not have a primary care doctor or simply need good primary care, consider contacting your local FQHC.

    Today, millions of Americans cannot see a primary care doctor without a long wait. Not only can a long wait jeopardize their health, it can cost our health care system more. Without prompt primary care to treat a variety of conditions, people can end up needing costly emergency room or hospital care.

    No question that primary care doctors are in short supply. The Association of American Medical Colleges says that ten years from now we will face a shortage of as many as 48,000 primary care doctors.

    Kaiser Health News reports that as many as 100 million people live in areas where it can be hard to find a primary care physician. One physician who heads a center on primary care at Harvard Medical School reports that lack of access to PCPs can shorten your life expectancy by as much as a year.

    Around 70 million adults in the US–more than one in four adults–say they have no go-to doctor they can turn to when they need treatment or guidance with their health. They must use the emergency room at their hospital. In 2010, more people had primary care physicians than today, even though today more people have health insurance.

    For sure, some of the adults who don’t have primary care physicians arguably have not needed them. Many men in their 20s, for example, might have no reason to see a primary care physician if they are healthy. But, even if you take them out of the equation, 47 million adults have no primary care physician to see.

    People sometimes see nurse practitioners for primary care. If you include nurse practitioners in the mix of primary care providers, there is arguably less of a shortage than Senator Sanders claims, but the shortage is still meaningful in some parts of the country. The US needs to invest more in primary care.

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • Senator Sanders pushes for greater investment in community health centers

    Senator Sanders pushes for greater investment in community health centers

    Daniel Payne and Burgess Everett report for Politico on Bernie Sanders latest big push on the health care front. As Chair of the Senate HELP committee, Sanders is moving to put $190 billion more into our health care system over five years. The money is sorely needed.

    Senator Sanders’ plan includes $130 billion for the federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), often referred to as community health centers. You can find these community health centers throughout the country. If you are not familiar with FQHCs, they offer free and low-cost primary care services, sometimes even vision and dental services. And, FQHCs are  known for their high quality care.

    Sanders would put another $60 billion into expanding our health care workforce, including $15 billion for graduate medical education initiatives. His goal is to increase access to primary care.

    Of late, FQHCs have not had adequate funding. And the health care workforce has been shrinking to the point where there are staff shortages throughout the country.

    The question is whether Bernie Sanders can bring along other Democrats and Republicans to address health care inadequacies in the US, especially the shortage of primary care providers, dentists and nurses. Unfortunately, it’s not likely in this Congress. Other Sanders’ priorities include lowering the price of prescription drugs and increasing the minimum wage.

    The HELP Republican leader, Bill Cassidy, says he wants a “reasonable solution” for addressing these health care issues. He sees the money Sanders proposes for the FQHCs as too much and unrealistic. The Republican-led House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee is working on legislation to keep FQHC funding at current levels for the next five years. That’s a lot lower than what Senator Sanders is proposing.

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • Bernie Sanders’ HELP committee priorities

    Bernie Sanders’ HELP committee priorities

    Jonathan Cohn reports for the Huffington Post on Bernie Sanders’ move to chair the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee. Under Sanders’ leadership, the HELP Committee will have several new priorities.

    Sanders has been a senator from Vermont for 17 years. Before that, he served as a Congressman in the House of Representatives for 13 years. And, he started his political career as the mayor of Burlington, Vermont.

    Sanders was able to focus significant attention on the need for Medicare for all in the US beginning with his run for president in 2016. As of now, Sanders does not intend to make Medicare for all a top priority for the HELP Committee because most Senators do not yet support it.

    Committing additional funding to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) or “community health centers” is one Sanders priority for the HELP committee. FQHCs provide primary care at low cost throughout the nation to some 30 million people. They are  run by the government and physicians employed by the government.

    FQHCs serve primarily lower-income individuals, although they must take all comers. Almost 50 percent of them are located in rural areas. They serve about 20 percent of rural Americans.

    You can find out the closest FQHC to you by clicking here. You might be able to get low-cost dental care and prescription drugs at your FQHC. Some also offer wellness classes.

    Republicans have traditionally supported FQHCs because they offer direct medical services. The government is not funding insurance coverage. And, there is recent precedent for bipartisan health care legislation–a mental health care bill sponsored by Senators Stabenow and Blunt.

    Senator Sanders will also make the cost of prescription drugs a top priority. He would like prices in the US linked to prices in other wealthy nations. He plans to hold hearings that expose the high profits, high prices and bad acts of the pharmaceutical industry.

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • 2022: Programs that lower your health care costs if you have Medicare

    2022: Programs that lower your health care costs if you have Medicare

    Medicare only covers about half of a typical person’s health care costs, leaving people with average annual out-of-pocket costs of more than $6,100. So, even with Medicare, many people struggle to afford premiums, deductibles and other costs. Some people qualify for Medicaid, which fills most of the gaps in Medicare. But, if you do not qualify for Medicaid, there are other programs that lower your health care costs. Click here or contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to find out if you are eligible for any of these programs and how to apply.

    1. Medicare Savings Programs. Depending on your income, Medicare Savings Programs, administered by Medicaid, help pay for Medicare premiums and coinsurance, even if you don’t qualify for Medicaid. There are three programs, Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified-Low Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualified Individual (QI). Income and asset limits, and how they are counted, are listed below for 2021, but vary somewhat by state. You should apply through your local Medicaid office.

    • Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)—100 percent of federal poverty level (FPL) + $20. If you have QMB, you should not have out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-approved services in traditional Medicare or for in-network services in a Medicare Advantage plan.
      • Income limit monthly depends upon where you live but is around
        • $1,153 for individuals
        • $1,546 for couples
      • Asset limit
        • Individuals: $8,400
        • Couples: $12,600
    • Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)—120 percent of FPL + $20. SLMB helps pay your Medicare Part B premium.
      • Income limit monthly depends upon where you live but is around
        • $1,379 for individuals
        • $1,851 for couples
      • Asset limit
        • Individuals: $8,400
        • Couples: $12,600
    • Qualifying Individual (QI)—135 percent of FPL +$20, helps pay your Medicare Part B premium.
      • Income limit monthly depends upon where you live but is around
        • $1,549 for individuals
        • $2,080 for couples
      • Asset limit
        • Individuals: $8,400
        • Couples: $12,600

    Several valuable items are not counted as income and assets. No matter what state you live in, the first $20 of your income and the first $65 of your monthly wages are not counted as income. In addition, half of your monthly wages, after the first $65 is not counted, nor are food stamps. Some of your assets are also not counted, including your primary home, if you own it, your car, your wedding and engagement rings, a burial plot and $1,500 in burial funds, your life insurance with a cash value less than $1,500, and your furniture, household and personal items. Your bank accounts, stocks and bonds are counted.

    Tip: If your income is low but too high to qualify you for Medicaid, it is worth looking into whether you qualify for any of these programs. According to MACPAC, an independent agency that advises Congress on Medicaid policy, less than a half the people over 65 who qualify for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program (48%) are enrolled. And, an even smaller share of people over 65 who qualify for the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary program (28%) are enrolled. About one in seven people over 65 (15%) who qualify for the QI program are enrolled.

    2. Extra Help with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage: You will automatically qualify for the Extra Help program, which is administered by Medicaid, if you qualify for any of the above low-income programs. You can also apply for Extra Help independently. Extra Help pays for some or all of the cost of your Part D drug coverage and is estimated to be worth around $5,100 a year. The amount of help with cost-sharing depends on the level of your income and assets. In 2022, you may qualify if you have up to $20,385 in annual income ($27,465 for a married couple) and up to $15,510 in assets  ($30,950 for a married couple). With Extra Help your drug costs are no more than $3.95 for each generic/$9.85 for each brand-name covered drug. And, depending upon your income, you may pay only part of your Medicare drug plan premiums and deductibles. You get Extra Help automatically if you have Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program or receive Supplemental Security Income benefits. You can apply for Extra Help online here. (Some states have State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs that provide even more assistance.)

    3. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other programs run by the Human Resources and Services Administration: FQHCs are located across the country and provide a wide range of services to underserved populations and areas on a sliding-feed scale. They might waive the Medicare deductible and coinsurance, depending upon your income.

    4. Hill-Burton programs offer free or reduced care at Hill-Burton facilities in 38 states. Hill-Burton does not cover services fully covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Eligibility depends on your family size and income.

    5. Veterans’ Administration: If you are a vet, the Veterans’ Administration (VA) offers low-cost services and prescription drugs directly. And, you can have VA coverage as well as Medicare.

    Keep in mind that you may be eligible for Medicaid based on your income after paying for some health care costs. To contact your state Medicaid office, click here.

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • It’s time to expand our National Health Service Corps

    It’s time to expand our National Health Service Corps

    Jonathan Michels writes for Jacobin on our homegrown army of  doctors in the US National Health Service Corps. These primary care doctors have been practicing in underserved communities throughout the US for 50 years. It’s time to expand the National Health Service Corps.

    We have a shortage of primary care doctors. One report finds that by 2033, the US will be short 55,200 primary care doctors. Today, people struggle to get the preventive care they need, along with referrals for specialty care. In the next decade, the situation is likely to only worsen.

    President Biden’s American Rescue Plan commits an additional $1 billion to the National Health Service Corps. Michels calls it “a model for universal programs.” It is not profit-driven and is designed to meet the individual needs of the people it serves.

    Members of the National Health Service Corps. include physician assistants, social workers, nurses, mental and behavioral health specialists and physicians. Most of them practice at Federally Qualified Health Centers, sometimes called FQHCs or community health centers. There are thousands of FQHC sites throughout the country treating patients of all-income levels. But, FQHCs primarily serve  people with low incomes and charge people on a sliding scale.

    FQHCs serve about 26 million people each year. About half of them have Medicaid. Among other things, FQHCs provide vaccinations and health screenings. With more staffing and resources they could serve a lot more people.

    The American Rescue Plan’s $1 billion will pay for tuition and offer loan forgiveness to people in the National Health Service Corps. Medical education is so costly and can leave students in substantial debt. The National Health Service Corps. recognizes the need for primary care doctors. It responds to the reality that few students opt to go into primary care medicine because it is not nearly as lucrative as specialty care.

    Michels sees an opportunity to enlist members of the National Health Service Corps. in the Medicare for All movement. He argues that for Medicare for All to succeed, it will need an army of doctors advocating for it. The National Health Service Corps. participants appreciate the value of social solidarity and serving the public good. They would be excellent leaders in the movement.

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • When you need care quickly, should you use a health clinic?

    When you need care quickly, should you use a health clinic?

    Sometimes you may need health care quickly. And, the question becomes where to go for that care. If you can’t reach your doctor, should you get treatment at a health clinic or urgent care center rather than your hospital’s emergency room? In situations that are not life-threatening and when you are not in a crisis, to save time and money, you should consider seeking care at a health clinic or urgent care center.

    Is there an FQHC near you? If you do not believe you are in an emergency situation and your doctor is not available to see you, you should consider getting care at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) if there is one near you. These health clinics are administered by the federal government and provide free and low-cost health care. Today, there are nearly 1,400 health centers providing services at 11,000 service delivery sites throughout the US.

    Is there a free or charitable health clinic near you? There are more than 1,200 free or charitable health clinics across the US. You might check to see whether there is one near you.

    What about a commercial walk-in clinic or an urgent care facility? There are more than 7,500 urgent care centers (where you can usually see a doctor) in the US today. There are also more than 2,800 commercial walk-in health clinics (where you typically see a nurse) located at pharmacies and retail stores like Walmart and Walgreens.

    Why go to an urgent care facility or walk-in clinic instead of an emergency room? If you have a common problem, such as a fever, an infection, a stomachache or a deep cut, ask yourself these questions:

    • What does my doctor recommend? Call your primary care doctor to see if he or she is available to see you. It is always best to have your primary care doctor providing your care. If that’s not possible, find out where the doctor recommends you go for treatment.
    • Is there an urgent care center or walk-in clinic near me? If so, can it provide the care I need? And, will my Medicare plan cover my care?
    • What will I pay out of pocket? The cost of your care at a walk-in clinic or urgent care center is likely to be much lower than at the local hospital emergency room or ER. However, if you have traditional Medicare, and supplemental coverage, it should cover your ER care. If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan with a high deductible, your health plan may deny coverage if it decides it was not an emergency. And, even if it covers your care, you will likely save money by avoiding the ER.
    • How long am I willing to wait to get care? The wait for care may be much shorter at a health clinic or urgent care facility than at an ER.

    Keep in mind that quality of care you receive is likely to vary significantly depending upon the care you need and the skills of the health care provider delivering the care.

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • Congress must protect our community health centers

    Congress must protect our community health centers

    Every Thursday morning, I wake up excited for the 14-hour day I’m about to begin. My Thursdays are so long because that’s the day I work a second evening job at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that serves New York City’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBT+) population. Why am I so happy to work a longer day? Not because I am a glutton for punishment, but because the work is truly satisfying in the way that only feeling completely confident in the care I’m providing can make me feel.

    The FQHC I work at provides essential medical and mental health care to an often-vulnerable population. Beyond the stress of being LGBTQ+ in our society, the patients I see are mostly uninsured or on Medicaid. Many have HIV/AIDS, substance use problems, and/or significant mental illness. I see individuals from diverse backgrounds and all age groups, from trans youth struggling with histories of abuse or homelessness, to older gay men who survived the AIDS crisis and lost many loved ones. Each person comes with a painful yet inspiring story, filled with strength, resilience, and love.

    And the care provided at this clinic, like most FQHCs – also referred to as Community Health Centers (CHCs) – is not just “good for the safety net.” It is the highest quality; often better than many private practice settings on multiple quality measures. Why is this?

    First, the care is truly integrated. I share a single medical record and can easily communicate with my patients’ medical providers. This reduces the chances of errors and conflicting treatments, such as drug-drug interactions. Quality improvement initiatives from the medical clinic apply to the mental health clinic and vice versa.

    Second, as federally funded clinics that participate vigorously in the Medicaid program, CHCs are often the first to know about and participate in health systems improvements and innovations. Despite what some private providers might tell you, government does a lot more than add bureaucratic hurdles; it attempts to ensure that health care is delivered in a safe and equitable way, is informed by evidence and guidelines rather than idiosyncratic clinician ideas and habits, and is responsive to public health needs. For instance, CHCs were on the frontline during the AIDS crisis, and are now playing a similar role in responding to the opioid epidemic.

    Third, CHCs are often full of passionate, mission-driven clinicians who deeply believe in what they are doing and care about the populations they serve. At the CHC where I work, clinicians are constantly sharing recent evidence, clinical advice, and local resources relevant to the LGBTQ+ population. Wouldn’t you want to be cared for by a group of individuals who are passionate about serving you and continuously communicating about better ways to do so?

    Finally, CHCs specialize in providing high quality primary care, which has been shown to produce the best outcomes. They are beacons of well-coordinated, efficient medical care in our specialist-driven and siloed health care system. This translates to better care at a lower cost!

    There are more than 10,000 CHCs in the United States, providing care for about one in thirteen Americans (and an even higher proportion in some states). In addition to primary care and behavioral health (i.e., mental health and substance use) services, like those provided where I work, many CHCs also provide dental and vision care. For the reasons above, 86 percent of primary care providers at CHCs are satisfied with their work, and 73 percent of patients who use CHCs as their primary source of medical care feel that it is high quality.

    It is therefore not surprising that CHCs have long enjoyed strong bipartisan support. Regardless of your political leanings, CHCs are clearly a rare example of a great deal in American healthcare. However, during recent fights over funding the federal government that resulted in two brief shutdowns, the Community Health Center Fund expired on September 30, 2017, and was not reauthorized until February 9, 2018. The Continuing Resolution that reopened the government in January included funding for the Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP) but not CHCs.

    If Congress had not restored funding in the nick of time, the Department of Health and Human Services estimated that about a quarter of CHCs would have had to close, resulting in nine million people losing access to healthcare and 51,000 job losses. Many CHCs had already begun deferring important investments and delaying staff hiring.

    This barely averted tragedy has received far too little attention. Let’s not take our CHCs for granted ever again; let’s avoid this kind of near miss in the future.

    Here’s more from Just Care: