Media Advisory: Invest in Community Health Centers

For Immediate Release
Contact: Amy Fleischer, 516-546-4174, Harmony Healthcare Long Island
January 30, 2026

MEDIA ADVISORY

Invest in Community Health Centers!

Harmony Healthcare Long Island Hosts Event to Send Message to Governor Hochul and Lawmakers as They Negotiate the State Budget

Community Health Centers Host Regional Events Across NYS, Culminating in CHCANYS Advocacy Day on March 4 in Albany

(Garden City, N.Y.) – Harmony Healthcare Long Island, Sun River Health, Long Island Select Healthcare, Advantage Care Health Centers and Charles Evans Center, members of the Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS), stand with Community Health Centers Across New York State to urge Governor Hochul and State Lawmakers to invest in CHCs in the budget on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. This event is part of a series of regional advocacy actions taking place across New York State right now, leading up to CHCANYS Annual Advocacy Day on March 4 in Albany.

Community Health Centers across New York State are facing a growing financial crisis. Federal policy changes threaten health insurance coverage for up to 1.5 million New Yorkers, many of whom are expected to turn to CHCs for care. Without Medicaid coverage, CHCs will not be reimbursed for treating these patients — resulting in an estimated $300 million revenue shortfall statewide.

The Governor’s budget does nothing to meet CHCs’ urgent need for funding. CHCs are urging state leaders to align their investment with the scale of the crisis facing New York’s health care safety net.

Community Health Centers operate at nearly 900 sites statewide, providing medical, dental, behavioral health, vision, and substance use disorder services to more than 2.5 million New Yorkers each year — 1 in 8 residents statewide. CHCs serve all patients, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, and are often the only source of primary care in underserved communities.

CHCANYS’ Legislative Agenda briefing book provides additional information about CHCs, who they serve, how they contribute to their communities, and what support they need to survive and thrive. Our State and NYC fact sheets provide a breakdown of the types of care CHCs provide and how they are funded.

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About Community Health Center Association of New York State. CHCANYS is the voice of nearly 80 Community Health Centers, also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), serving patients at almost 900 sites across every region of New York State, providing care to more than 2.5 million people each year. Our members are on the front lines of community health care, providing primary and preventive care, including medical, dental, behavioral health, vision, and substance use disorder services to high need patients in medically underserved areas.