Fund health centers

In the deluge of urgent headlines, an issue of critical importance has been lost in the storm: the expired Community Health Center funding. One-12th of all Americans (27 million) depend on Community Health

Centers for their care. In Northwest Arkansas, Community Clinic serves 36,500 residents with primary, dental, and behavioral health care that people wouldn’t otherwise afford. Over half of those patients are children, the most vulnerable members of our community, and their access to quality health care has been threatened by Congress’ inaction.

Community Health Center funding expired Oct. 1, and provided 70 percent of federal funding for Community Health Centers. If Congress doesn’t act quickly, 9 million people will lose their health care and 50,000 health-care providers will lose their jobs.

Community Health Centers are part of a nationwide network that started more than 50 years ago to provide quality primary care in communities that need it the most. Each day that the funding cliff goes unresolved, the health of our community is increasingly threatened. Many health centers are already making the tough choices about cutting costs amid a massive funding shortfall— hiring freezes, cutting back programs, and closing sites. In rural areas where most patients drive miles in any direction to a provider, site closures are a significant hardship.

Community Health Centers keep thousands of people out of emergency rooms, saving over $24 billion in health-care costs annually. When people can’t access preventive care, they wind up with expensive emergency room needs.

On behalf of our patients and staff, I am asking you to contact your congressmen and ask them to continue the Community Health Center funding. A call or a letter from a constituent can make an enormous difference. KATHY GRISHAM Fayetteville