Madison, WI – Today, the Joint Committee on Finance voted to advance the Department of Health Services budget which includes new investments for Community Health Centers. The Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association (WPHCA), representing the state’s 19 Community Health Centers, thanks the Committee and especially legislative champions Rep. Novak and Sen. Testin for their efforts to successfully include funding for Community Health Centers. Governor Evers also included significant new investments in his biennial budget proposal, demonstrating the long-standing bipartisan support for Community Health Centers and their patients.
The budget motion passed by the Committee today includes $1,000,000 in annual new funding for Community Health Centers (a 15.6% increase), including a new line item for Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alikes. Look-Alikes are a relatively new designation in Wisconsin and are ineligible for other existing grant programs designed for entities that serve low-income populations.
“While Community Health Centers navigate a rapidly changing environment riddled with risk and uncertainty, every dollar helps shore up our critical safety net,” said Scott Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of WPHCA. “We thank the Finance Committee, Rep. Novak, and Sen. Testin for consistently recognizing the unique role that Community Health Centers play in local communities, and the unmet needs they address for patients with barriers to care. Wisconsin’s Community Health Centers will continue to be resilient, creative, and cost-effective stewards of public investments, even when facing significant headwinds from federal policy decisions. We thank the legislature and Governor for their commitment to Community Health Centers and will continue to work collaboratively toward systems transformations that invest in high-quality primary care.”
To learn more about the critical role Community Health Centers play in Wisconsin and find a care location near you, please visit www.wphca.org.
