The economic slowdown has prompted policymakers to focus on investments that can produce rapid economic gains in communities. Building on a previous analysis, this Research Brief estimates that a $250 million appropriations increase in the community health centers program would yield health care for an additional 1.8 million patients and a nationwide four-to-one return on investment:
- nearly $1 billion in direct community economic benefits, and
- over $1.1 billion in indirect benefits in jobs and other community investments.
On a state-by-state basis, each $1 million in federal appropriations would assure care for an additional 8,400 patients and a six-to-one rate of return with more than $6 million in direct and indirect economic benefits.
The brief was authored by Peter Shin, Brad Finnegan and Sara Rosenbaum.