Blog 9/4/25

Equitas Health Receives Prestigious, National Designation for Advocacy

COLUMBUS, Ohio – This month, Equitas Health joined the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) in celebrating 60 years of the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA’s) health center program. Ahead of the week-long celebration, Equitas Health was recognized with a national advocacy designation – “Gold” Advocacy Center of Excellence (ACE) status – from NACHC.

As noted by NACHC, an Advocacy Center of Excellence (ACE) is a “community health center that creates a culture of advocacy to ensure that policymakers at all levels of government commit to investing in the affordable, comprehensive, and innovative care that health centers provide.” The program recognizes three tiers – “gold,” “silver,” and “bronze” – that each come with a set of rigorous criteria.

Nationally, fewer than 100 community health centers have achieved the elusive have achieved the elusive “Gold” status designation. As the program’s highest distinction, it demonstrates an unprecedented commitment to federal and state public policy work on behalf of community health centers and their patients. Only 7 community health centers across the state have received this national honor.

Celebrating this prestigious achievement, David Ernesto Munar (he/him), CEO and President of Equitas Health said, “By speaking out for the people we serve, Equitas Health makes an impact for everyone seeking quality, affirming healthcare services in our communities. We are proud to be a fierce defender of and advocate for fair and adequate access, coverage, and funding of healthcare services for all.

With a robust set of public policy priorities, Equitas Health had a record-breaking year of advocacy in 2024. Last year, the organization:

• Engaged in nearly 800 unique points of contact with Congress;
• Filed 28 pieces of public comment to governmental bodies at the state and federal levels;
• Joined 25 national coalitions in advocating for policy outcomes related to access to care; and
• Reached over 114,000 people through social media advocacy efforts.

On the heels of a Supreme Court decision upholding a gender affirming care ban, ongoing threats to public health, and unprecedented cuts to America’s healthcare safety net, Equitas Health’s advocacy efforts are set to break records again in 2025. Already this year, the organization has made over 5,600 unique points of contact with Congress and reached over 44,000 people through social media advocacy efforts.

Equitas Health’s status as a “Gold” Advocacy Center of Excellence (ACE) will remain active through August 2027, but with federal funding for HIV treatment and prevention programs on the chopping block, the organization stresses the importance of continued advocacy efforts that meet the moment.

Regarding the agency’s continued work on Capitol Hill, Rhea Debussy, PhD (she/her), Director of External Affairs at Equitas Health said, “While we’re certainly celebrating this prestigious recognition for our advocacy work, we aren’t resting on our laurels. The Equitas Health team remains hard at work both at the Ohio Statehouse and on Capitol Hill. With HIV treatment and prevention funding, telehealth flexibilities, LGBTQ+ rights, and access to care at risk, our patients and communities need us now more than ever, and our team will continue rising to the occasion.”

To support Equitas Health – including our continued advocacy work – with a donation, click here.

To make a difference by volunteering with Equitas Health, click here.