| January 21, 2026 |
| On Tuesday, Congressional leadership released bipartisan legislation as lawmakers race to meet the January 30 funding deadline. This proposal is welcome news for Community Health Centers (CHCs) and the 52 million patients who rely on them for care. The bill increases the investment in CHCs, strengthens the health care workforce through support for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program, and extends critical telehealth flexibilities that improve access to care—particularly in rural communities. Specifically, the legislation includes: – $4.6 billion in mandatory funding for CHCs through 2026 (a $340 million increase above the current level), with discretionary funding continued at $1.857 billion. This represents the largest funding increase in a decade and is 15% higher than the last long-term extension. – $350 million in mandatory funding for NHSC through 2026 (a $5 million increase above the current level), with $130 million in discretionary funding (a $1.4 million increase above the current level). – $225 million in funding for THCGME in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 (a $50 million increase above the current level), and annual increases over the next four years, up to $300 million in FY 29. – An extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities through 2027. CALL CONGRESS! EMAIL CONGRESS! Your Voice Matters—Act Now to Support Community Health Centers! With the January 30 deadline fast approaching, Congress must act now to pass this legislation and provide the certainty CHCs need to continue delivering high-quality, affordable care, address workforce shortages, and ensure access for patients nationwide. We urge you to contact your Members of Congress today and ask them to “VOTE YES” on the appropriations bill. Together, we can ensure CHCs remain open, accessible, and ready to care for the communities that depend on them. RECOMMENDED ACTIONS: 1. CALL FIRST: The House could vote on the bill as early as this week, with the Senate voting next week. 2. Send a follow-up letter stressing the importance of acting on CHC priorities before the January 30 deadline. 3. Maximize your impact by sharing this information with 5 others and asking them to take action. |