Community Health Center (CHC)
A Community Health Center (CHC) is a federally supported primary-care facility delivering comprehensive, affordable services to underserved populations regardless of ability to pay. CHCs anchor safety-net care, offering medical, dental, behavioral, and preventive services often on a sliding fee scale.
What is a Community Health Center (CHC)?
A Community Health Center (CHC) is a federally supported primary-care facility that delivers comprehensive, affordable services to underserved communities, serving patients regardless of their ability to pay. Many offer care on a sliding fee scale tied to income.
Beyond basic medical visits, CHCs commonly provide an integrated mix of services that can include dental, behavioral health, and preventive care. Their mission centers on reaching populations who might otherwise lack reliable access to care.
Why do Community Health Centers matter?
CHCs are a cornerstone of the healthcare safety net, extending consistent primary and preventive care to people facing financial, geographic, or other barriers. By doing so, they reduce reliance on more costly emergency care and help address gaps in access.
Their broad, integrated service model also lets them address several dimensions of a patient's health in one place. This makes them especially valuable in communities where specialized resources are scarce.
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