What is a Community Health Center?

For over 50 years, Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) supported Community Health Centers have provided comprehensive, high-quality primary and preventive healthcare to all, regardless of ability to pay or insurance status. Montana began a long and successful partnership with HRSA in 1972 with the establishment of Ag Worker Health & Services. This was the beginning of bringing much-needed comprehensive primary care to the state.

Fourteen Montana Health Centers and one look-alike operate over 89 sites in urban and rural communities and provide care to more than 120,500 people annually. Montana’s community health centers are critical partners in the state’s healthcare delivery system. Access to high-quality, primary and preventive healthcare is available to individuals and families, regardless of ability to pay or insurance status.

Core Health Center Requirements:
• Serve all patients regardless of ability to pay or insurance status;
• Located in or serve medically underserved communities or populations;
• Provide comprehensive primary and preventative healthcare;
• Governed by community boards: 51% of board members must be patients; and
• Public or private nonprofit organizations with a mission to provide healthcare to underserved communities.

For more information on Health Centers, please visit the HRSA website.