Mass League Statement on Financial Relief for Federally Qualified Health Centers 

The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers (Mass League), issued the following statement on the passage of H.4530, which includes $35 million in financial relief for the state’s Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).  

“Massachusetts’ leaders have once again stepped up to ensure equitable access to care for our most vulnerable patients and communities. The Mass League is immensely grateful to our allies in the Legislature, Speaker Mariano, Senate President Spilka, Chair Michlewitz, and Chair Rodrigues, as well as the Healey-Driscoll administration, for supporting community health centers as they navigate an increasingly challenging environment while staying true to their mission of providing care to the most vulnerable patients across the Commonwealth. At a time when health care is becoming harder to come by for many, we are grateful to our partners in state government for continuing to take major steps to protect high-quality, comprehensive care for the state’s most vulnerable patients.   

This funding will provide much needed support to our state’s community health centers, Massachusetts’ largest network of primary care safety-net providers. Community health centers have been facing significant financial challenges due to rising costs, including significant costs to recruit and retain staff, and under investment in primary care. The community health center model of providing comprehensive care paired with supportive services addressing social determinants of health, improves health outcomes, advances health equity, and saves our entire health care system money. 

This is a critical moment for our movement. Looming cuts to Medicaid will undermine health centers’ financial stability and force them to make difficult decisions to stay afloat, jeopardizing health care access for all our patients across the Commonwealth, especially in our most vulnerable communities.   

As we continue to navigate a shifting federal policy landscape, the Mass League looks forward to working closely with the Legislature, the Healey-Driscoll administration, and others to ensure community health centers have the resources needed to uphold their mission and mandate to provide high-quality care to everyone who walks through their door.”