Advocacy

As part of its mission, the Mid-Atlantic Association of Community Health Centers (MACHC) engages in advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels on behalf of its members and promotes public policy that expands access to health care services and improves health care outcomes for vulnerable populations and underserved communities. The Association's advocacy program is designed to communicate the needs of Community Health Centers to state and federal elected and appointed officials in concert with other health care providers. As the “Voice of Communities in Need" throughout the state of Maryland and Delaware, MACHC partner's with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) and key strategic partners to advocate on behalf of its members, to further support Federal and State legislation that increases healthcare access to the underserved. Services provided through the Advocacy program include working with lawmakers at the State Capitol, meeting with Members of Congress in Washington, D. C., and providing critical information to opinion leaders in the media and policy makers to support expanding access to primary care services.

During the most recent legislative session, MACHC was successful in securing funding for the Community Access and Safety Net Act, 2005. This bill culminates a multi-year effort to establish state support, both operational and capital, for FQHCs and other community based health resources. The Act creates for the first time in Maryland legislature, funds dedicated for community health by establishing a set aside for capital grants of $2.5 Million and an estimated $6 Million in operational grants.

For more information on the associations current and future legislative initiatives please contact Duane Taylor at duane.taylor@machc.com or call 301-577-0097.