August 2, 2025
Carina Health Network proudly celebrates National Health Center Week (NHCW) 2025, held by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) from August 3-9. The annual event highlights the essential role that Community Health Centers (CHCs) play in improving community health and providing Americans with necessary access to critical healthcare services. CHCs represent the nation’s largest primary care network, serving 32.5 million patients nationwide.

This year’s theme, “America’s Health Centers Celebrating 60 Years of Improving our Nation’s Health,” recognizes the six-decade legacy of health centers in delivering high-quality, affordable care. Events across the country include resource fairs, back-to-school drives, health screenings, and visits from local, state, and national leaders.
CHCs are on the front lines of the country’s most pressing health challenges. They serve all individuals with dignity and compassion, while addressing the social drivers of health that impact long-term well-being. The CHC workforce includes more than 310,000 professionals who reach beyond the exam room to deliver whole-person care.
Despite their impact, CHCs face an uncertain financial future as they race toward a September deadline for congressional reauthorization of critical federal funding. In addition, recent federal reconciliation legislation is projected to cost CHCs $7 billion annually in higher uncompensated care costs and jeopardize coverage for four 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.
“Hundreds of thousands of Coloradans are at risk of losing access to the care they depend on,” said Jason Greer, Chief Executive Officer of Carina Health Network. “We remain a steadfast resource in helping our members close the gap through our programs and partnerships, but the scale of the need is significant. Continued state and federal investment in CHCs is essential to protecting the health of our communities.”
In Colorado, CHCs provide a health care home for more than 850,000 people. That’s one in seven Coloradans. They care for 23% of Medicaid enrollees and 21% of CHP+ enrollees. Colorado’s 21 CHCs are vital to the state’s healthcare landscape, offering integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health services, and playing a critical role in addressing chronic disease, mental health, and public health emergencies.
According to Colorado Community Health Network (CCHN), in 2023, Colorado CHCs:
- Operated 247 clinic sites in 47 counties, caring for patients living in 63 counties.
- Provided nearly 2.8 million in-person and virtual visits.
- Offered dental care at 128 sites in 41 counties, serving 165,000 patients.
- Delivered behavioral health services at 201 sites in 42 counties, reaching 105,000 patients.
CHCs serve 10% of the U.S. population, yet account for only 1% of national healthcare spending. Keeping people healthy by providing comprehensive primary care doesn’t just save lives, it saves billions in avoidable healthcare costs.
To learn more about CHCs and their impact, visit www.nachc.org and www.cchn.org. For more information about Carina Health Network and its work supporting CHCs in Colorado, visit www.carinahealthnetwork.org or contact Caitlyn Seacat at 720.925.5284or caitlyn.seacat@carinahealth.org.
About Carina Health Network
Carina Health Network is a trusted partner to community health organizations, payers, and partners across Colorado. While our organizations have worked together since 2014, Carina officially launched in 2025 following the strategic merger of Community Health Provider Alliance (CHPA) and Colorado Community Managed Care Network (CCMCN). Our statewide network is comprised of 21 Community Health Centers (CHCs) and one Urban Indian Health Clinic.
Carina provides steady direction and expert navigation as our united care network advances population health and value-based care for underserved populations. By working together, Colorado’s CHCs amplify their impact by achieving better health outcomes, improving patient and care team experiences, and driving system-wide cost efficiencies. We support this work through data insights, technology solutions, expert support, value-based care programs, and operational expertise. Learn more at www.carinahealthnetwork.org.
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