1. WHAT IS A HEALTH CENTER? Health Centers, also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)... Treat EVERYONE with and without insurance, regardless of ability to pay Provide primary and preventive health care Are non-profit organizations Serve in high-need areas Are led by members of the community

2. TREAT EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY Their doors are open to ALL PEOPLE– with or without health insurance. Even though Health Centers accept health insurance (and can help people get health insurance), they also have what is called a “sliding fee scale”. In other words, if you are uninsured, you pay what you can based on your income.

3. THEY PROVIDE PRIMARY AND PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE ALL Health Centers provide primary and preventive health care. They provide screenings and check-ups for people of all ages. Moreover, they provide other services such as mental health services and dental services as well as transportation to the Health Center, interpretation, and case management. To find a Healht Center near you, click here.here

4. THEY ARE NON-PROFIT ORGANZATIONS When Health Centers make more than they spend, they return that money to the community by providing more services, hiring more employees, staying open later, and opening new sites.

5. THEY SERVE IN HIGH-NEED AREAS Health Centers serve in Medically Underserved Areas. This means that the area meets at least one of the following conditions:Medically Underserved Areas There are few doctors and other providers There is a high infant mortality rate There is a high poverty rate There is a large concentration of the elderly

6. THEY ARE LED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS A majority of the people on the boards of Health Centers are patients at the Health Center. That means that the patients make the most important decisions for the center.

7. WHERE ARE HEALTH CENTERS? Across the country! They are in all 50 states, and there are around 1,300 organizations with more than 9,000 sites.

8. WHY SUPPORT HEALTH CENTERS? They serve EVERYONE regardless of ability to pay. They save money. They create jobs. They are locally governed. They provide high quality health care.

9. ¡EL PROGRAMA DE LOS CENTROS DE SALUD NECESITA SUS DEFENSORES! Defensores Pacientes $$ Financiamiento Existe una relación fuerte entre el número de defensores de los centros de salud, el financiamiento de los centros de salud y el número de pacientes que sirven.

10. TO BE AN ADVOCATE, YOU FIRST HAVE TO STAY INFORMED... It’s easy! www.saveourchcs.org Facebook. com/cfahc @CFAHC #FQHC Send ADVOCATE to 69866

11. ... AND THEN YOU HAVE TO TAKE ACTION. Share something on Facebook or Twitter Sign a petition Send an email to a member of Congress Make a call to a member of Congress Organize an event (and invite your elected officials!) You always have to spread the word!

12. YES! Health Ceners can and SHOULD encourage their staff and patients to be advocates. Just don’t forget to be nonpartisan. That means DON’T support a particular party or candidate during an election and DON’T tell people how to vote. IS IT OKAY TO DO ADVOCACY AT MY HEALTH CENTER?

13. OUR SUCCESS (AND FUTURE) WILL DEPEND ON THE STRENGTH OF OUR ADVOCACY!