N.Y. community health centers push for $300M in state budget

Community health centers provide primary and preventative care all over New York state regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. 

There are more than 850 community health centers around the state, including Whitney Young, Jr. in Albany; Hudson Headwaters in the North Country; Neighborhood Health Centers in Buffalo; Regional Health Reach in Rochester and Syracuse Community Health Centers.

They are often the only source of primary care in the communities they serve. 

But starting in 2027, when stricter eligibility rules kick in for Medicaid under HR 1, 1.5 million New Yorkers could lose health insurance. In turn, that would put about 42% of community health center revenue in jeopardy.

Rose Duhan, President and CEO of CHCANYS, the Community Health Center Association of New York State, joined Capital Tonight’s Susan Arbetter to discuss why community health centers are in such dire circumstances, and explain the organization’s request for a $300 million boost in the state budget.