Commentary: Sustaining the Community Health Center Model: Urgency of Primary Care Investment.

Abstract

Community Health Centers (CHCs) provide care to 32.5 million low-income patients across high need areas, forming the largest primary care network in the US. CHCs consistently improve outcomes and lower costs, yet face growing financial stress. Rising demand, workforce shortages, and uncompensated care costs are stretching limited budgets at CHCs, while Medicaid payments and federal funding do not reflect the true cost of care. Many CHCs lack financial reserves to modernize or join new payment models. This article argues for long-term investments to maintain access to affordable and comprehensive primary care.