Community health centers are often the first line of defense during health crises in America, including the opioid and HIV epidemics, operating as a safety net for 30 million patients who would otherwise struggle to access primary care, including 13 million patients living in poverty, 6 million uninsured patients, and 1 million patients experiencing homelessness. Despite their vital role, health centers are in a precarious financial position. Operating within tight financial margins leaves them with little room for investments in technology, staffing, and other resources and when financial uncertainty grows, health centers often impose hiring freezes or reduce services. Read more in Underfunded and Overburdened: The Toll of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Community Health Centers.
