Congress Is Abandoning Health Care for the Poor
Community health centers are among the best investments the federal government can make.
Make this a priority, Congress.
Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg
For the second time in two years, Congress is about to abandon millions of Americans who depend on community health care. And President Donald Trump — who has reason to pay special attention to these patients — seems willing to let it happen.
The $4 billion Community Health Center Fund, which was created almost a decade ago by the Affordable Care Act, helps to pay for the operations of nearly 1,400 community health centers serving some 28 million Americans. If Congress fails to pass a permanent spending bill by Nov. 21, one month from today, these centers will be forced to scramble for funds, and the message will be clear: These clinics, and the people they serve, are expendable.