As we celebrate the milestone 60th anniversary of the community health center program, new data from 2024 Uniform Data System (UDS) highlight the continued growth of community health centers, while underscoring the essential role of Medicaid in covering CHC care and services. In 2024, 15.6 million community health center patients - or 48 percent of all patients - had Medicaid coverage, and Medicaid accounted for 60 percent of CHC revenue. Our new infographic illustrates the overall growth in capacity, visits, and jobs, with HRSA-funded health centers now serving more than 32.4 million people nationwide.
With National Health Center Week coming to a close, we applaud the work of our health center colleagues for their dedicated service to all members of the community, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay, 52 weeks each year. The program’s growth in 2024 clearly demonstrates the essential role of community health centers as the backbone of the primary care safety net, providing comprehensive high-quality primary and preventive care to meet the needs of their diverse urban and rural communities. It also illustrates the interdependence of CHCs and the Medicaid program. And while revenue has increased overall, drastic cuts to Medicaid of $1 trillion in federal Medicaid spending under the budget reconciliation package will strain health centers, increasing the number operating in the red and undermining capacity and services. In the coming weeks, we will share insights and analysis on the status of CHCs, and the challenges they face.