National Day of Action

Day Of Action for Community Health Center Funding

December 4, 2024

The 118th Congress may not have been historically productive, but funding government agencies must remain a top priority as the year ends. Equally urgent is securing critical funding for Community Health Centers, which serve as the backbone of the U.S. healthcare system. Without congressional action, the federal support that sustains staff and operations for caring for 32.5 million patients will expire, jeopardizing essential services for millions nationwide.

That’s why health centers from across the country were in Washington, D.C. this week, participating in the National Association of Community Health Centers’ (NACHC) Annual Fly-In. These dedicated providers, staff, board members and patients are part of a nonpartisan movement that’s been in existence for nearly 60 years.  They traveled from far and wide to remind lawmakers that they care for 10 percent of U.S. population while representing just 1 percent of healthcare spending.

Today, December 4th, Saban Community Clinic’s team of health center advocates are participating in the National Day of Action by making phone calls and sending emails to share why this funding is so critical. We’re more than a health center, we are a lifeline for our community. In 2023, we provided comprehensive and affordable primary care to over 23,000 patients, 84% of whom live below the Federal Poverty Level, and 9% were unhoused. Our services extend beyond traditional health care, offering behavioral health, oral health, pharmacy services, and enhanced care management, all in one accessible location.

Like health centers across the country, at Saban Community Clinic, we care for everyone, from parents striving to create healthier futures for their families, to seniors managing chronic conditions on fixed incomes, to individuals facing housing instability who trust us to provide care when they need it most. By addressing root causes of health disparities such as food insecurity, lack of housing, and mental illness, Saban Community Clinic helps prevent costly emergency room visits and hospitalizations. This work not only transforms lives but also reduces the strain on the broader healthcare system, saving billions of dollars each year.

Health centers are focused on patients, not profits but they are also good for the economy. They support over half a million jobs, generate more than $37 billion in labor income, and contribute nearly $85 billion to the U.S. economy.

Leaders of all political stripes support the mission of health centers because they are effective stewards of tax dollars and the best prescription for the nation’s health.