A community health center is a non-profit, community-owned health care organization serving low income and medically underserved communities. For more than 40 years, the national network of community health centers (also known as federally qualified health centers) provides high quality, affordable primary care and prevention services, and often provides on-site dental, pharmaceutical, behavorial health, and substance abuse services.

Community health centers are located in areas where care is needed but scarce, and improve access to care for millions of Americans and thousands of Alaskans regardless of thier insurance status or ability to pay.

One very unique aspect of the community health center organization is its goverance. Each CHC has a governing body, composed of volunteers from within the community.  At least 51% of the board must be consumers of the CHC services.  The board works closely with the medical staff and administration of the health center.

Community health centers remove common barriers to care by serving communities that otherwise confront finacial, geographic, language/cultural and other barriers, making them different from most private, office-based practices.

This health center is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254b, and a deemed Public Health Service employee under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n).

CHC's are:

Located in high-need areas identified by the federal and state government as having elevated poverty, higher than average infant mortality, and where fewer providers agree to practice;

Open to all resisents, regardless of insurance status, and provide reduced cost care based on ability to pay;

Tailor services to fit the special needs and priorities of local communities, and provide services based on the advise of local residents, businesses, churches, and other organziations; and

Offer services that help patients access health care, such as transportation, translation, case management, health education, and chronic disease manangement.