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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, supported passage of bipartisan legislation she helped advance to significantly increase federal funding for community health centers.

“Community health centers like Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, Lowell Community Health Center, and Community Health Connections are critical parts of our health care system. These facilities are part of a network of health centers across the Commonwealth that provide critical, often lifesaving care for over one million people each year,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “This bipartisan agreement to significantly increase federal funding for community health centers is a testament to the remarkable work being done on the ground at these facilities. I’m proud of our efforts to secure the highest possible funding increase in the House, and I look forward to the work ahead to get this legislation passed in the Senate and signed into law.”

H.R. 5378, the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act includes an immediate 10 percent increase in mandatory funding for community health centers and a 137 percent increase over the next seven years in funding for the Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education Program, which provides additional funding to teaching health centers like Greater Lawrence Family Health Center and Lowell Community Health Center.

While the legislation was under consideration in the House Energy and Commerce Committee earlier this year, Trahan argued for additional funding for community health centers like those in the Third District. During her time in Congress, Trahan has worked across the aisle to increase funding for teaching health centers and has continued to secure funding for each health center in the district through the American Rescue Plan and various other grants.

“In 1994, Greater Lawrence Family Health Center became the first accredited Community Health Center-sponsored Family Physician Residency in the country. In 2011, Lawrence Family Medicine Residency was recognized by HRSA as one of the nation’s first Teaching Health Centers under the Affordable Care Act,” said Dr. Guy Fish, President and CEO of Greater Lawrence Family Health Center. “We pride ourselves in creating learning environments where healthcare professionals can develop the necessary expertise in Family Medicine to care for individuals and families in underserved communities where it is needed the most. There is a growing shortage of family physicians across the country, making our residency program even more vital to the future health of our community. We are grateful for leaders like Congresswoman Trahan who understand that investing in community health centers is essential in providing accessible, high-quality healthcare for all.” 

"The timing of this funding is essential, especially with the rising demand for our services and the persistent healthcare workforce shortage. I'm thankful to the Congresswoman for her bold action and unwavering support for Community Health Centers,” said Susan Levine, CEO of Lowell Community Health Center.

“Community Health Connections is truly grateful for Congresswoman Trahan’s unwavering support of community health centers. It is gratifying to see that there is bipartisan support of the work that we do to provide needed healthcare services to people in our communities,” said John DeMalia, President and CEO of Community Health Connections. “We take it very seriously that we are the safety net provider to ensure that no one goes without the healthcare that they need. With Congresswoman Trahan’s continued support we plan on being here to continue to meet those needs.”

“Congresswoman Trahan is an advocate and a true champion for expanding access to affordable, high quality, patient-centered care, and we are thankful for her tireless efforts in supporting a bipartisan agreement that increases and extends funding for community health centers,” said Michael Curry, Esq., President, and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. “HR 5397 provides significant funding for health centers and the workforce programs they rely on to provide care in underserved communities. The passage of this legislation marks significant forward progress to prevent a devastating 70 percent cut to health center funding that will go into effect January 19 without Congressional action. We could not be more grateful for the Congresswoman’s partnership as health centers across the country, and here in Massachusetts, attempt to meet the overwhelming demand for care in their communities.”

Trahan represents Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, the first Teaching Health Center of its kind, Lowell Community Health Center, which recently received federal grant funding to establish a teaching health center program, and Community Health Connections in Fitchburg.

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