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Advocacy Why Advocate for Community Health Centers? The community health centers are the “safety net” providers for the uninsured and underserved. Community health centers are mandated to serve anyone regardless of their ability to pay. These health care services come with a high price tag of caring for people without insurance or the means to pay. Statistics show that this population often has higher rates of disease such as asthma, diabetes or cardiovascular disease than the general population. It is imperative, therefore, that state funding and public resources continue to support the community health centers. For over forty years, community health care services have been guided by the collective voice of the community. More than half of each community health center’s Board of Directors are health center patients, many of whom represent several family generations. The community health center model was conceived by advocates who believed that health is an individual right and that good health is predicated on the elimination of poverty. In its early days, community health centers delivered more than health care—they offered communities hope, inspiration and guidance for taking charge of, and applying solutions to community issues. Today community health centers still retain the spirit of community activism of their early prototypes. The CHCACT advocacy program is a network of FQHC board members, employees and patients that collectively voice the needs of the FQHCs to federal, state and local legislators and administrators. Through advocacy training and extensive knowledge of safety net services, FQHC advocates are well prepared to give testimony to achieve passage of important health bills. Advocates for FQHCs can be seen and heard at community gatherings such as health fairs, school groups, group homes and other venues where health education and activities take place. If you would like more information about CHCACT’s advocacy program, please contact: Susan McGuire at (860) 667-7820 . |
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