Contact Person(s) |
|
WASHINGTON and NEW YORK - A new policy research brief released today by the Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services evaluates the consequences of the proposed reductions in federal health center funding on access to health care for low-income workers.
The brief, titled “The Role of Community Health Centers in Addressing the Needs of Uninsured Low-income Workers: Implications of Proposed Federal Funding Reductions,” estimates that of the 11 million uninsured, working, low-income Americans, 2.7 million receive their care in community health centers. The $1.3 billion reduction in FY 2011 health center funding approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on February 20, 2011 would adversely affect health center expansion, threatening access to primary care for millions of America’s low-income workers.
“Health centers are a critical source of care for many of the most vulnerable members of America’s labor force,” said Sara Rosenbaum, J.D., Hirsh Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Policy and co-author of the study. “In many urban and rural communities, reducing health center capacity can be expected to significantly affect worker productivity in the local economy.”
Because of their location and emphasis on comprehensive patient-centered health care, community health centers have had a positive impact on health outcomes, while also reducing costs. Budget reductions that would impede the continued expansion of health center services can be expected to adversely affect all medically underserved populations, including the low-income workforce. Although the spending bill was rejected by the U.S. Senate on March 10, 2011, final measures for health centers are yet to be determined.
“Community health centers play an important role in caring for the working poor and their families, and address a pressing need” said Julio Bellber, president and CEO of the RCHN Community Health Foundation. “Cuts to health center funding will leave our low-income workers with few options for care.”
To access the policy research brief, visit this link.