COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS

Health centers are vital in ensuring accessible, affordable healthcare for vulnerable communities. The Coalition of Orange County Community Health Centers, comprising Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and safety-net clinics, provides a comprehensive range of services including primary care, behavioral health, dental, and vision care. These centers are non-profit, locally controlled organizations dedicated to improving community health while contributing to the economy.

Economic Contributions

In 2015, California health centers generated over $8 billion in economic impact and supported over 59,000 jobs statewide. For Orange County, these centers are instrumental in:

  • Supporting 8,798 jobs, with 4,508 health center jobs and 4,290 jobs in the broader community.
  • Contributing $1.25 billion in economic impact, including $595 million in direct spending from health centers and $663 million in community spending.

Affordable Care for Vulnerable Populations

Health centers serve a significant portion of the population that would otherwise face barriers to care. In 2015:

  • 445,597 patients were served by the Coalition’s health centers.
  • 50% of patients were covered by Medi-Cal, and 92% were low-income (below 200% of the federal poverty level).
  • Costs for health center Medi-Cal patients were 22% lower than for patients of other providers, translating to $598 million in savings for Medi-Cal and $814 million in savings for the overall healthcare system.

Impact on Patients

Health centers are essential for underserved groups:

  • 60% of patients identify as part of a racial or ethnic minority.
  • 156,701 children and adolescents received care, with a notable 41% growth in the patient population over three years.
  • Uninsured patient rates declined by 24%.

Below you will find a report by Capital Link that highlights of the 2017 contributions by the Orange County Community Health Centers.