CEO Bethany Blackburn Advocating for FQHC Funding

Bethany Blackburn, CEO, and Rep. Arvind Venkat

North Side Christian Health Center CEO Bethany Blackburn, is attending the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health (PACHC) Center Policy Forum in Harrisburg, advocating the crucial cause of funding for FQHCs.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) play a vital role in providing healthcare services to underserved communities in the US. These centers are often the primary healthcare providers for millions of Americans, offering a wide range of services including primary care, dental care, mental health services, and more, regardless of a patient's ability to pay. However, despite their invaluable contributions, FQHCs often face funding challenges that threaten their ability to fulfill their mission effectively.

While attending the three day policy forum, Bethany met with Representative Arvind Venkat from the 30th District in Pennsylvania. Rep. Venkat, an emergency physician, was elected to serve his first term in the state House of Representatives in November 2022. He is the first Indian American to be elected to the state House and the first physician to serve in the General Assembly in nearly 60 years. Before entering politics, Venkat was an attending physician at Allegheny General Hospital, specializing in emergency medicine. His medical background makes him a valuable ally in the fight for FQHC funding and equity in healthcare.

The PACHC Center Policy Forum, which runs May 7 - 9, is a reminder to policymakers that investing in FQHCs is not just a matter of fiscal responsibility but a moral imperative to ensure that every individual has access to quality healthcare, regardless of socioeconomic status.