Health centers face risks with government financing

Paula Andlo

Their leaders say that about 1,500 health centers funded by a federal service serve millions of low -income people facing great financial challenges, as the government closes other discounts to their revenues.

Some of these community health centers may have to reduce medical and administrative employees or reduce services. Some can be closed at the end. Defenders warn that the result may add pressure to the already crowded hospital emergency rooms.

“This is the worst time in all the years in which I was working in the field of health care,” he said, “He said,” Jim ManjiaAnd the President and CEO of Saint John Health HealthNetwork from 28 clinics More than 144,000 patients are served in Los Angeles, Riferside, and San Bernardino in California. “We face federal discounts and discounts in extremist states that will affect services.”

ST. John’s and other federal health care centers primary care and a wide range of other services for free or on scales. At the level of the country, they see Almost 34 million patients In the most service areas in the country.

Federal funds come across two main roads, both of which face challenges: partially paid grants through Federal Society Health Center Fund Patient care for programs such as medicaid, which provides health insurance for low -income people and persons with disabilities. Medicaid is jointly funded by states and federal government.

Congress has agreed to the grants of bicycles and batons recently. In March, the legislators extended the funds until September 30. This money ended after Republican -dominated Congress did not pass a financing law, which led to the closure of the government.

Defenders say health centers need long -term financing to help them plan with more certainty, through a multi -year box.

Centers He received $ 4.4 billion of grants in early 2024. At least 5.8 billion dollars In granting annually for two years to keep the centers work at full capacity.

“Multiple layers of challenges,” the health center. Fusharia’s keysDeputy Chairman of Political Affairs and Organizational Affairs of the Association.

New spending law Republicans call the “Great Big Law Law” will significantly reduce Medicaid, raising the second group of threats to health centers.

Medical aid It represents 43 % From 46.7 billion dollars in the revenue of the health center in 2023.

The defenders said that the lower Medicaid payments will exacerbate the gap between financing and operational costs.

There is also a need to finance the workforce programs to support the provision of healthcare services, as the centers are struggling to employ and keep workers. Feygele JacobsDirector of the Jejir Gibson Program in Community Health at George Washington University.

the First clinics Of this kind it was opened in places like Massachusetts in the 1960s. Congress usually funded them with the support of the two parties, with slight fluctuations.

The conflict started this year when the Trump administration Home aid freezes Through the January note, which prevented some centers from receiving the already approved grant funds. As a result, some health centers in states such as Virginia Closed or compact operations.

The coming cuts are also scheduled to arrive at a time when patients will face new demands and challenges. Medicaid changes in President Donald Trump’s law to spend include requirements to capture a civilized to report their work or other service hours to maintain their benefits.

During, More generous tax credits The Biden and Congress administration provided consumers to help pay the costs of health insurance for the law of care at reasonable prices at the end of the year. The costs of some consumers will rise if the Congress is not renewed.

One of the reasons for the closure of the government is that Democrats want to extend tax credits, which protect consumers from higher insurance costs. The Republican Finance Bill did not include an extension; Republican Congress leaders say the issue should be dealt with separately.

“Consumers will need more support from ever,” said Jacobs, noting that the discounts in medical aid to the highest tax credits “will” likely to get out of coverage. “

Ninety percent of the centers patients have twice income Federal poverty level Or less, and 40 % of Spanish origin.

“We also receive 300 calls per day from the patients concerned about their coverage,” said Mangia from St. Jones.

Republicans do not directly target the centers, although they supported Medicaid discounts that will affect clinic financing. Many Republicans say that the spending of medical aid has swollen and that reducing the growth of the program will make it more sustainable.

Government and local support

While calling for long -term federal financing, the centers are also looking for their community and local support.

Some states have already taken measures with the final touches on their annual budgets. Connecticut, Minnesota, IllinoisAnd Massachusetts Allocating money to centers. Marylandand OregonAnd Weskonsen He also provided support to health centers.

The question is for how long the money will continue.

While some countries have strengthened their support for the centers, others are moving in the opposite direction. Expect the effect of Medicaid discounts, states like California They cut their own To the program.

California Governor’s office did not respond to Gavin New Youshoum, the Ministry of Health and Federal Humanitarian Services, and the Federal Health Resources and Services Management for suspension requests.

In Los Angeles, Mangia said, one of the potential solutions is to work with partners at the boycott level, noting that Los Angeles Province has about 10 million population.

“We can impose taxes on ourselves to increase the financing of health care services,” he said.

Mangia said that the leaders of the health center are building a “hope” coalition that will include the main stakeholders in the province’s health care system – community health centers, clinics, hospitals, doctors, health plans, and unions – to start the voting process. Objective: Asking the question about taxes on health centers in the polls, and let the voters decide.

“We are learning that the federal government and the state government are unreliable when it comes to continuing health care financing,” said Mangia.

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