What You Should Know:
– Community health centers (CHCs), serving as the cornerstone of America’s healthcare safety net, are grappling with a critical issue: a worsening workforce shortage.
– A new report by the Commonwealth Fund reveals a concerning trend, with over 70% of CHCs reporting a lack of primary care physicians, nurses, or mental health professionals in 2024.
Despite the Challenges, CHCs Remain a Beacon of Hope
This news comes amidst a backdrop of rising mental health and substance use treatment needs, fluctuating Medicaid enrollment patterns, and persistent funding gaps. Yet, CHCs have persevered, providing accessible, comprehensive, and coordinated healthcare to over 30 million patients annually. Notably, 20 million of these patients are low-income individuals, highlighting the crucial role CHCs play in underserved communities.
Key Findings of the 2024 Commonwealth Fund Survey
The survey delves into the core functions of CHCs (accessibility, comprehensiveness, and coordination) and the roadblocks they encounter. Here are some key takeaways:
- Accessibility: The vast majority of CHCs offer timely appointments (88%) and flexible hours (93%) to cater to patient needs.
- Telehealth on the Rise: The adoption of telehealth services has skyrocketed, jumping from 24% in 2018 to a staggering 96% in 2024. Notably, 61% of CHCs credit telehealth with improved access to specialty care for patients.
- Expanded Substance Use Treatment: CHCs are increasingly equipped to address substance abuse issues, with a significant rise in facilities offering treatment (66%) and medication-assisted treatment (62%) compared to 2018.
- Screening for Social Needs: There’s been a substantial increase in CHCs screening patients for unmet social and economic needs. In 2024, 67% of CHCs reported screening all patients, compared to only 40% in 2018.
- Challenges with Specialist Care Coordination: Securing specialist appointments remains a hurdle for most CHCs (73%), particularly for Medicaid patients and the uninsured.
Policy Recommendations to Bolster CHCs
The report emphasizes the need for policy changes to address the challenges faced by CHCs and ensure their continued success. Here are some suggested actions:
- Reauthorize and Expand Funding: The Community Health Center Fund, a vital source of federal support, is set to expire at the end of 2024. Reauthorization with increased funding is crucial.
- Address Workforce Shortages: Congressional action is needed to bolster recruitment, retention, and training programs that incentivize healthcare professionals to serve in underserved areas.
- Support Continued Telehealth Expansion: Aligning telehealth reimbursement rates with in-person care and extending pandemic-era flexibilities that facilitated broader telehealth use are essential steps.
“In a health system that fails on so many levels, community health centers are a bright spot. If you don’t have insurance, if you can’t afford health care, or if there are no other providers where you live, community health centers are there for you. They are an essential lifeline for millions of Americans who otherwise might not be able to get care, and they deserve to be supported,” said Celli Horstman, lead study author and Commonwealth Fund Senior Research Associate for Delivery System Reform.
For more information about the report, click here.