Health Policy

Health Policy updates

The goal of SFCCC’s health policy work is to ensure that the voices of SFCCC member health clinics and the patients and communities they serve are heard by our elected and appointed public officials at the local, state, and national level. SFCCC advocates for policies and legislation that will enable our member clinics to provide needed health services to their patients and communities. Our representation efforts include appointments to numerous Board and advisory committee seats, and serving as a community spokesperson in meetings and leadership conversations with decision makers.

Local Level

SFCCC and our member clinics work with partners in the San Francisco community to:

  • Educate local policy makers about the important contributions made by community health centers to the health and economies of our communities.

  • Make an impact on the health of our communities, especially the most vulnerable.

  • Work on policy that prevents and reduces homelessness, increases the efficiency of the local health system, and uses collective impact to achieve local health goals.

  • Work to maintain and improve San Francisco’s commitment to health access for all, regardless of immigration status.

State Level

SFCCC and our member clinics work alongside the California Primary Care Association and other statewide groups to:

  • Educate State policy makers about the important contributions made by community health centers to the health and economies of our communities.

  • Improve the State’s administration of the Medi-Cal program and increase funding for the high quality care provided by community health centers.

  • Increase pathways and financial support for health and human service providers to encourage a robust, diverse workforce in community health centers.

  • Support community health centers as they increasingly integrate behavioral health into primary care.

  • Advocate for new payment methodologies, allowing FHQCs to evolve from reliance upon face to face visits to more holistic population health models of care.

FEDERAL Level

SFCCC and our member clinics work alongside the National Association of Community Health Centers and other national groups to:

  • Educate Federal policy makers about the important contributions made by community health centers to the health and economies of our communities.

  • Promote and protect Medicaid, which covers approximately one out of three Californians. Managed Care Medi-Cal covers the majority of SFCCC member clinic patients and other health programs that improve access for low-income patients.

  • Increase federal funding for Community Health Centers, including the Community Health Center Grant Program.

  • Develop educational pathways and financial support for health and human service providers to encourage a robust workforce in community health centers.

  • Protect the rights of individuals and families of any immigration status to obtain high quality health care without fear.