HENRICO, VA (June 2, 2025): The recent passage of the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” (H.R. 1) by the House
raises significant concerns regarding the potential loss of health coverage for millions of Americans,
including tens of thousands of patients at Virginia’s Community Health Centers (CHCs). Virginia
Community Healthcare Association (VCHA), which partners with CHCs, community leaders, and
stakeholders to enhance access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, is disappointed and
concerned by the immediate implications of this legislation. VCHA is urging the Senate to recognize
the essential role that CHCs play in the health and wellbeing of their communities.
“Virginia’s CHCs are vital in saving lives and reducing costs, proudly serving close to 400,000
individuals where a little over 160,000 patients are insured through Medicaid and Medicare,
including veterans, children, seniors, farmers, and working families who rely on affordable
healthcare,” said Tracy Douglas, VCHA Chief Executive Officer. “Patients who access care through
Medicaid and Medicare at CHCs experience improved health outcomes due to reliable access to
comprehensive primary care. Virginia CHCs are an important part of the Commonwealth’s safety net
infrastructure. Historically, these individuals make fewer visits to emergency departments and
specialty care centers compared to those receiving care elsewhere, thereby significantly
contributing to both improved health outcomes and substantial taxpayer savings. It’s imperative
that healthcare reforms prioritize increased access and investment in affordable, comprehensive,
and effective primary care services.”
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that the House bill could lead to the loss of health
coverage for over 44,000 Virginia CHC patients insured through Medicaid and Medicare. These
individuals and their families depend on their local health centers for managing chronic conditions
such as diabetes, hypertension, substance use, and behavioral health challenges.
Additionally, the House bill would negatively impact Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies by letting
the enhanced premium tax credits expire, causing ACA enrollees’ out-of-pocket premium payments
to increase, with people in some states seeing their payments more than double on average. Lower-income and older enrollees are expected to see the most significant premium payment increases.
CHCs are already navigating considerable financial difficulties. Reductions in Medicaid funding
would directly lead to reduced services, staff layoffs, and, in some cases, clinic closures. CHCs are
under significant financial strain, with the average financial margin nearing a negative 2.2%, while
several Virginia health centers report having less than 90 days’ worth of cash reserves.
As the Senate engages in the budget reconciliation process, VCHA will be working very closely with
our Senators to advocate for changes to the reconciliation bill that will include investing in primary
care, Medicaid and Medicare, ultimately delivering cost savings for taxpayers and improving
healthcare access for all Virginians.
ABOUT VIRGINIA COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION
Virginia Community Healthcare Association (VCHA), established in 1980, is a non-profit membership
organization that serves as the primary care association for Virginia’s thirty community health
centers and look-alike health centers. Virginia’s community health centers serve patients through a
network of over 200 site locations. VCHA’s mission is to advocate on behalf of, educate and elevate
our member health centers, enhancing their ability to provide affordable, accessible, quality
healthcare to the communities they serve regardless of their ability to pay. For more information,
visit www.vcha.org.
