Community Health Centers of Lane County is proud to celebrate National Health Center Week (NHCW) 2025, taking place August 3-9. The annual event highlights the essential role Community Health Centers (CHCs) play in improving public health and providing Americans equal opportunity to access critical healthcare services. CHCs represent the nation’s largest primary care network, serving 32.5 million patients nationwide.
This year’s NHCW celebration, launched by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), focuses on the theme: “America’s Health Centers Celebrating 60 Years of Improving our Nation’s Health.” CHCs nationwide are marking the week with resource fairs, health screenings, and visits from local, state, and national leaders. Here in Lane County, Community Health Centers will celebrate all week with activities that include patient portal enrollment support, a diabetes education session, and a spotlight to their board members.
With a mission to make high-quality, affordable care available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status, CHCs save lives and healthcare costs on the front lines of our nation’s most pressing public health challenges. They are powered by a workforce of over 310,000 dedicated professionals who reach beyond the exam room to address the social and environmental factors that influence health.
As Dr. Madhavi Murthy, Medical Director of Community Health Centers of Lane County, explains:
“Community Health Centers of Lane County are not just providers of integrated and comprehensive care—they are trusted spaces where people feel valued, supported, and truly cared for.”
CHCs are racing against a September deadline as our federal funding expires, creating unprecedented financial strain. The recently enacted "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" is also projected to cost CHCs $7 billion annually in higher uncompensated care costs and jeopardize coverage for 4 million patients. While CHCs never turn patients away, anticipated Medicaid coverage reductions will force impossible budget choices. NACHC projects these combined pressures could lead to workforce cuts and site closures, resulting in up to 6,000 preventable CHC patient deaths annually.
Over 1,500 CHCs nationwide are the health care home to:
- One in 5 uninsured people
- One in 3 people living in poverty
- One in 5 rural residents
- 9.4 million children
- 419,000 veterans
CHCs serve 10% of the U.S. population but represent roughly only 1% of total annual healthcare spending nationwide. Keeping people healthy by providing comprehensive primary care doesn’t just save lives – it saves money.
As the Community Health Centers of Lane County join the nationwide celebration, Dr. Murthy adds: “This National Health Center Week, and every week, we celebrate that commitment to connection and healing.”
To learn more about the mission and accomplishments of CHCs, visit www.nachc.org. You can learn more about NHCW and view a listing of events at www.healthcenterweek.org.