CHCs

Community Health Centers (CHCs) are nonprofit, community-governed clinics that provide comprehensive primary and preventive care to medically underserved populations. In the United States they are part of a federal program designed to improve access to care in areas with shortages of providers, high uninsured rates, or other barriers to health services. CHCs typically serve as safety-net providers for low-income residents, immigrants, rural residents, and publicly insured patients.

Services commonly include primary care, dental and oral health, behavioral health, pediatrics, women's health, pharmacy, and preventive and enabling services such as interpretation, care coordination, and transportation assistance. Many CHCs adopt patient-centered medical home principles, emphasizing coordinated, continuous care and integration of services.

Organization and funding: CHCs are usually nonprofit corporations or public entities governed by a board with substantial community representation; some operate in affiliation with hospitals or universities. They receive federal support through HRSA's Health Center Program, along with state, local, private, and philanthropic funding. Revenues come from Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements, private insurance, sliding-scale patient fees, and grant streams, with some participation in the 340B Drug Pricing Program to lower medication costs.

Impact and challenges: CHCs aim to expand access, improve preventive services, and reduce health disparities. Evidence suggests improvements in chronic disease management and preventive care among served populations, though funding instability, workforce shortages, and administrative requirements can pose constraints.

Global usage and variations: While the term CHC commonly denotes Community Health Centers in the United States, other countries maintain similar community-based clinics under different names and funding models, reflecting local health system structures and policies.