Why Community Health Centers Matter to Millions of Americans
08/04/2026
National Health Center Week is an opportunity to recognize the community health centers (CHCs) that help millions of people access care each year. Their work supports healthier communities by connecting people to primary care, preventive services, maternal and child health support, behavioral health, social services and other resources that can shape long-term health.
CHCs are community-based healthcare providers that offer primary care and other essential health services regardless of a person's ability to pay. They serve as a vital access point to care for nearly 52 million Americans, including many who may otherwise face barriers to healthcare. They play an especially important role for lower-income and medically complex populations, including more than 1 in 5 Medicaid beneficiaries. During National Health Center Week, Centene celebrates the important role these providers play in helping individuals and families access affordable, community-based care.
In communities across the country, CHCs help expand access to care by providing primary care, preventive services, behavioral health services, maternal and child health support and chronic disease management close to where people live. Many also offer services such as translation assistance, patient education, care coordination and connections to community resources, helping patients overcome barriers that can make it harder to access care.
"As a leading Medicaid managed care organization, Centene understands that CHCs are often where our members turn when they need care. For so many individuals and families, they're a trusted partner that knows the community, understands the challenges people face and provides them the care and support they need," said Alice Chen, Chief Health Officer, Centene.
"At Centene, we know that improving health outcomes starts with meeting people where they are. CHCs are key partners for us in that work, from supporting healthy pregnancies and improving maternal health outcomes to managing chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure and expanding access to behavioral health services. That's why we invest in CHCs: they help people get the right care at the right time and transform the health of the communities we serve."
Centene is working with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) to support CHCs through partnership, tailored programs and a focus on value-based care and maternal and child health.
Community Health Centers are Essential to Expanding Access
CHCs play an important role in caring for Centene members, providing primary care to about 1 in 7 Centene members. Their presence in local communities helps connect patients to care close to home and supports access to services that address both medical and non-medical needs.
Beyond clinical care, many CHCs help patients navigate barriers to health through services such as transportation assistance, translation support, patient education and connections to varied community resources.
"What makes CHCs unique, and an essential part of the healthcare system, is that they are governed by patients for patients. Fifty-one percent of CHC board members are patients, and these patients receive the same wraparound care unique to their communities from their centers,” said Kyu Rhee, MD, MPP, CEO and President of NACHC. “At only 1% of the total U.S. healthcare spend, CHCs provide comprehensive whole-person care that extends beyond the exam room while operating on thin margins. Our partnership and Leadership Council with Centene seeks to address challenges CHCs experience in providing high-quality care to health center patients. CHCs need sustainable and diversified sources of funding and support in order to continue delivering services to 52 million patients, or 1 in 7 Americans, including 1 in 3 people in rural areas."
How Centene Supports Community Health Centers Through Partnership
Through its partnership with National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), Centene supports CHCs by investing in provider collaboration, shared learning opportunities and programs focused on maternal and child health and value-based care. Value-based care emphasizes better health outcomes, preventive care and coordinated care while helping improve the overall patient experience.
This work also includes local initiatives designed to strengthen how care is delivered. In Michigan, Meridian, a Centene health plan, embedded patient care advocates within four health centers across Southeast Michigan. These advocates worked directly with more than 12,000 Medicaid members, helping them connect with primary care providers, schedule appointments, navigate their care and stay up to date on preventive and social services.
Centene Foundation has established a three-year, $3 million partnership with NACHC to support CHCs nationwide. In addition to the Foundation partnership, Centene and NACHC co-lead the Community Health Leadership Council, which brings together community health center leaders to share best practices and explore opportunities to strengthen care through areas such as value-based care and maternal and child health.
Community Health Centers Support Maternal and Child Health
CHCs are a critical source of maternal and child health services, providing prenatal, postpartum and pediatric care for families across communities nationwide. That role matters because maternal and child health depends on access to timely, coordinated care before, during and after pregnancy. CHCs are well positioned to support that care because they combine clinical services with community-based support.
Through the Centene and NACHC partnership, participating health centers share ideas, learn from one another and identify practical approaches to improving care for mothers and babies through the Maternal Health Innovation Exchange. The partnership also supports programs focused on strengthening maternal care and improving health outcomes. These efforts build on the day-to-day role CHCs already play in helping mothers, babies and families stay connected to care.
The partnership also supports broader efforts to strengthen CHCs nationwide. By investing in provider collaboration, maternal and child health initiatives and shared learning opportunities, the partnership aims to strengthen access to care and support healthier communities.