What is a Community Health Center?

Wake Health Services is part of a nation-wide network of 1200 Federally-Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) established in the late 60's during the War on Poverty.   In North Carolina, in 2009, 26 FQHCs served overed 400,000 patients in 137 clincial sites. Approximately 94% of these patients live below 200% of poverty. 

Community Health Centers:

• are locally-owned, private, nonprofit charitable tax-exempt organizations
• provide high-quality comprehensive preventive and primary health services regardless of insurance status or ability to pay
• are located in high-need areas where there is a shortage of medical professionals, barriers to access to healthcare for the people that live there, or both.
• tailor services to fit the special needs, priorities, and cultural sensitivities of their communities. 
• must have a Board of Trustees made up of 51% patients to ensure the center is meeting local needs.
• are the family doctor to15 million people nationally.
• reduce the need for expensive hospital, ER and specialty care, saving US taxpayers $24 billion a year. 

Community Health Centers in North Carolina serve over 400,000 people for less than $2 dollars per day per patient. Community Health Centers serve Medicaid, Medicare, State Children's Health Insurance Program, working poor, indigent and uninsured patients.  

Our Economic Impact

Wake Health Services contributes to the economic health of our community with:

• 130 jobs with benefits
• $6.8 million payroll
• $3.2 million annual Federal investment

Wake Health Services provides over $4 million annually in medical care, dental care and free drug prescriptions for patients who could not afford to pay. 

Read more about Community Health Centers at The National Association of Community Health Centers or The North Carolina Community Health Centers Association..