NACHC Calls for Increased FY 2027 Funding to Strengthen Community Health Centers Nationwide

The National Association of Community Health Centers is urging Congress to increase federal investment in Community Health Centers, workforce programs, technology infrastructure, behavioral health, nutrition services, and access to care in underserved communities.

The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) is calling on Congress to strengthen support for America’s Community Health Centers (CHCs) as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process.

In a letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, NACHC requested a total of $2.16 billion for the Health Center Program, representing a $300 million increase over FY 2026 funding levels. The request is intended to help CHCs keep pace with rising costs, expand access to preventive care, and continue serving rural and medically underserved communities across the country.

Community Health Centers serve as a critical part of the nation’s primary care system. Today, more than 1,500 CHCs serve 52 million patients at more than 17,000 service delivery sites nationwide. They provide integrated medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, and other essential services, reaching millions of patients who may otherwise face barriers to affordable, high-quality care.

Investing in Technology, Behavioral Health, Nutrition, and Access

NACHC’s FY 2027 request includes targeted investments to help health centers modernize operations, improve care delivery, and expand services in communities with the greatest need.

The proposed $300 million increase would support three major priorities:

Technology Infrastructure — $200 million
Funding would help CHCs strengthen their technology systems, adopt and use artificial intelligence tools, improve cybersecurity and privacy protections, support data-driven preventive health efforts, and improve staff productivity.

Nutrition and Behavioral Health Services — $50 million
This investment would support the expansion of nutrition services, such as dietary counseling, healthy food prescriptions, connections to farmers’ markets, and physical fitness planning. It would also support behavioral health services, including mental health counseling and addiction recovery support.

New Access Points — $50 million
Funding would help increase primary care availability through new access points, including mobile health units and other innovative care delivery models designed to reach rural and remote communities.

NACHC also urged Congress to maintain FY 2026 funding levels for existing CHC-based investments, including programs focused on intimate partner violence, advanced cancer screening, early childhood development, and Ending the HIV Epidemic.

Protecting Health Centers Through the Federal Tort Claims Act

The letter also requests $120 million for the Federal Tort Claims Act program, equal to the FY 2026 level. This program provides medical malpractice liability protection for participating health centers, their employees, and eligible contractors, helping CHCs direct more resources toward patient care.

Strengthening the Community Health Center Workforce

Community Health Centers employ more than 326,000 dedicated staff nationwide, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, pharmacists, behavioral health providers, nurses, care coordinators, and administrative professionals.

However, workforce shortages continue to challenge health centers, particularly in rural and medically underserved areas. HRSA projects future shortages across several critical health professions, including primary care physicians, psychiatrists, dentists, pharmacists, and other providers.

To address these challenges, NACHC is urging Congress to prioritize federal workforce programs that support the training, recruitment, and retention of health professionals in CHCs.

Key workforce funding requests include:

• $51 million for additional Community Health Center-based physician and dentist training through the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program.
• $130 million for the National Health Service Corps.
• $92.6 million for Nurse Corps programs.
• $158.1 million for Mental and Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training programs.
• $40 million for the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program.
• $96.58 million for Nurse Practitioner Residency and Optional Fellowship programs, with increased prioritization for CHC-led programs.
• $49.9 million for Primary Care Training and Enhancement programs.
• $43.7 million for Oral Health Training programs.
• $48.2 million for Geriatrics Programs.

These programs help create pathways for providers to train and serve in community-based settings, while supporting health centers’ ability to meet growing patient demand.

Protecting the 340B Program

NACHC also requested bill language to prevent federal funds from being used to implement a 340B rebate model for Federally Qualified Health Centers.

The 340B Drug Pricing Program helps health centers provide affordable medications and essential services to low-income and uninsured patients. NACHC expressed concern that shifting the program from an upfront discount model to a rebate model could increase administrative burden, disrupt access to medications, and create financial instability for health centers.

Promoting Stability for Federal Grantees

Stable and predictable federal funding is essential for health centers to maintain patient care, staffing, and operations. NACHC requested additional protections to ensure that federal grants, cooperative agreements, or other financial assistance awards are not terminated without adequate notice, explanation, opportunity to resolve concerns, and access to appeal procedures.

These safeguards would help protect health centers and other safety-net providers from sudden disruptions that could affect patient access to care.

Supporting Technical Assistance for Health Centers

NACHC also requested report language recognizing the importance of technical assistance for health centers through national and state cooperative agreements and grants.

Technical assistance helps CHCs strengthen operations, improve governance, expand access, enhance quality improvement, and respond to emerging challenges. Over the past two years, NACHC has provided hundreds of education sessions, reached tens of thousands of learners, published technical assistance resources, and supported health centers nationwide through the Health Center Resource Clearinghouse.

Advancing Health Center Controlled Networks

The letter also highlights the value of Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs), which help health centers improve care through technology, data analytics, interoperability, cybersecurity, telehealth, and digital connectivity.

NACHC encouraged Congress to support increased investment in HCCNs as a cost-effective way to help health centers modernize care delivery, improve patient outcomes, reduce duplication, and support secure use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Expanding Community-Based Care for Seniors

As seniors become one of the fastest-growing patient populations at Community Health Centers, NACHC also requested report language focused on improving care for older adults with multiple chronic conditions.

The request calls for a report on unmet needs for coordinated, community-based care in rural and medically underserved areas, including opportunities to expand access through Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) led by Federally Qualified Health Centers.

A Continued Call for Bipartisan Support

For 60 years, Community Health Centers have served as a bipartisan solution for expanding access to comprehensive, affordable, and effective primary care. NACHC’s FY 2027 appropriations request emphasizes the continued need to invest in the health center model, strengthen the primary care workforce, modernize care delivery, and protect programs that help CHCs serve patients who need care most.

As Congress considers FY 2027 funding priorities, NACHC is urging lawmakers to support the investments and policy protections needed to ensure Community Health Centers can continue improving health, reducing long-term costs, and serving as the foundation of primary care in communities across the nation.