Senator Stabenow Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Extend Community Health Center Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the Community Health Investment, Modernization, and Excellence (CHIME) Act, which would reauthorize community health center funding for five years. Funding for the program will expire September 30^th this year. Community health centers, or Federally Qualified Health Centers, provide comprehensive medical, dental, vision and behavioral health services to underserved communities. In addition, the bipartisan bill provides annual funding increases for community health centers beginning in 2020.

Senator Stabenow continues to lead a bipartisan effort with Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) to reauthorize and increase funding for community health centers. There are 45 health centers and more than 300 satellite sites in Michigan.

“These centers are a lifeline and safety net for more than 28 million people nationally and more than 700,000 people in Michigan, including 217,000 children and 13,000 veterans,” said Senator Stabenow. “Continuing the program and increasing funding before it expires on September 30th will provide certainty to health care providers and clinics, continue services for the children and families who now depend on these centers, and begin to address the unmet need of so many others for affordable quality health care.”

"Sen. Stabenow has been a tireless champion when it comes to supporting community health centers here in Michigan," said Loretta V. Bush, Michigan Primary Care Association CEO. "She knows that health centers are on the frontlines of managing chronic diseases and addressing the opioid epidemic — all while saving taxpayer dollars. This legislation will help community health centers continue to provide quality, integrated care to the people who need it most."

“This legislation helps secure much needed long-term funding for Community Health Centers at a time when the demand for preventive care in communities across the country continues to grow,” said Tom Van Coverden, Chief Executive Officer for the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). “Health centers now serve 28 million people nationwide, including more than 355,000 veterans. Their mission to reduce chronic disease in communities, curb health care costs and deliver savings to the American taxpayer is working and must be allowed to continue. We are also up to the challenge of addressing the nation’s opioid epidemic and other crises in collaboration with Congressional leaders. We are grateful for Senators Blunt and Stabenow and for their leadership in advancing a bipartisan solution that will make a difference in the lives of millions of Americans.”

The CHIME Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.), Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.), Ben Cardin (Md.), Tom Carper (Del.), Susan Collins (Maine), John Cornyn (Texas), Cory Gardner (Colo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (Miss.), Doug Jones (Ala.), Angus King (Maine), Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Bob Menendez (N.J.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Gary Peters (Mich.), Dan Sullivan (Alaska), Jon Tester (Mont.), and Roger Wicker (Miss.).