Congress Says 'Thank You' to Community Health Centers, Pushes to Save Key Funding Before September Deadline

This resolution is Congress’s official nod of appreciation for Community Health Centers (CHCs) and a strong signal that they need to keep the lights on. While it doesn't change any laws directly—it’s essentially a public declaration of support—it zeroes in on two critical issues: recognizing the centers during National Health Center Week (August 3–9, 2025) and, more importantly, pushing for the extension of the Community Health Center Fund before it expires on September 30.

The Real-World Value of Your Local CHC

If you're one of the nearly 31.5 million Americans who use a CHC, you already know they're vital. These centers are designed to be the healthcare safety net, providing comprehensive primary care, dental, vision, and mental health services regardless of your insurance status or ability to pay. Think of it this way: for a working parent who just lost their job and their health coverage, the CHC is the only place they can reliably go for their kids' checkups or their own chronic condition management without facing bankruptcy.

This resolution highlights that CHCs don't just provide care; they save money. By keeping people out of the emergency room, they save programs like Medicaid an estimated $477 million annually in just one state. They are also massive economic drivers, employing thousands of people and generating billions in local economic activity. This isn't charity; it's smart infrastructure investment that pays dividends in both public health and local jobs.

The September Cliff and the 70% Problem

The biggest takeaway for anyone who relies on a CHC is the funding issue. The resolution explicitly supports extending the Community Health Center Fund. Why does this matter? Because that fund accounts for a staggering 70% of the federal operational funding these centers receive. If Congress lets that fund expire on September 30th, it’s not just a budget cut—it’s a potential shutdown for many centers, especially those in rural or extremely low-income areas.

For the average person, this means that the affordable, accessible care they rely on for everything from vaccinations to diabetes management could suddenly disappear or become much more expensive. This resolution is essentially a loud reminder to Congress that letting this fund lapse would create a public health crisis and undermine the economic stability of the communities CHCs serve.

The Drug Discount Program Fight

The resolution also points a finger at the current challenges facing CHCs regarding the 340B Drug Discount Program. This program allows CHCs to buy medications at a significant discount, which they then pass on to patients or use to sustain their operations. However, some drug manufacturers have been placing restrictions on how CHCs can access these discounts.

This is a huge deal for patients. If a CHC can't get discounted insulin or cancer drugs, the cost lands squarely on the patient or forces the center to cut services. By highlighting this challenge, the resolution puts pressure on policymakers to protect the 340B program, which is a life support system for both the centers and their most vulnerable patients.