Blog 8/2/24

Equitas Health Celebrates 2024 National Health Center Week

Equitas Health is proud to join the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) in celebrating National Health Center Week from Aug. 4-10, 2024.

Community health centers like Equitas Health provide comprehensive primary care services to people who have been left or kept out of traditional healthcare settings. Nationally, community health centers play a critical role in the U.S. healthcare system by delivering care to over 31.5 million people, including:

• Almost 400,000 veterans,
• 1 in 9 children,
• Nearly 1.4 million people without homes,
• Roughly 3.6 million seniors, and more.

Community health centers like Equitas Health work in partnership with healthcare payers, hospital systems, the private sector, and all levels of government to address and respond to critical public health crises and needs. While community health centers drive economic growth and provide cost savings to the medical industry, they still need the support of Congress to ensure long-term sustainability for the people who need these services.

To continue providing comprehensive primary care, dental care, mental health services, and more, community health centers need Congress to:

• Pass long-term mandatory funding | Community health centers must have access to guaranteed, long-term funding, which allows them to sign contracts with providers/vendors and maintain/expand facilities.

• Invest in primary care workforce | Severe workforce shortages and growing salary gaps make it difficult for community health centers to retain and recruit staff, which can have adverse impacts on population health.

• Reform and protect 340B | Community health centers need legislation to ensure that true safety-net providers can continue to use the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which supports access to critical resources for Americans who need them the most.

• Support telehealth expansion | Community health centers and the communities they serve need long-term telehealth solutions, which can support access to high-quality healthcare services in high–need areas.

While community health centers continue to advocate for this congressional support, they – as the largest primary care network in the country – continue to serve millions of patients each year. At Equitas Health, the people we serve can get the most from their trusted healthcare provider by also using Equitas Health Pharmacy’s services. By pairing Equitas Health’s pharmacy and health center services, the people we serve get a one-stop shop where their medical and pharmacy care teams communicate seamlessly. Equitas Health providers offer specialized expertise in areas, such as HIV prevention and treatment, mental health & recovery services, LGBTQ+-affirming healthcare, and much more. In turn, proceeds from Equitas Health Pharmacy support the quality, affirming, and affordable healthcare available at Equitas Health’s five community health centers in Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton.

If you haven’t already, when your Equitas Health provider writes your next prescription, give the Equitas Health Pharmacy a try. Let us show you why Equitas Health’s pharmacy and health center services are Better Together!