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January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

SD rep joins 300 in D.C. calling for more rural health center funding

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Tuesday, December 3, 2024   

Nearly 300 Community Health Center leaders from across the U.S. and South Dakota are on Capitol Hill today, urging Congress to act before their federal funding expires at year's end.

The federal Community Health Center Fund helps pay for the nation's largest primary care network, which served more than 31 million people last year. Nine of 10 patients had incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Joe Dunn, chief policy officer for the National Association of Community Health Centers, said the network serves one in 10 Americans, one in five living in rural areas.

"We've been fortunate that we have incredible bipartisan support in Congress," Dunn acknowledged. "But as of right now the funding is expiring and we need Congress to act to extend that and hopefully increase it moving forward."

According to the Congressional Budget Office, Dunn pointed out, primary care services offered at health centers reduce Medicaid and Medicare costs because preventive care helps avoid higher-cost scenarios like hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

In South Dakota, Horizon Health offers medical, dental, behavioral health and telemedicine services to 27,000 patients in rural areas across more than one-third of the state.

Wade Erickson, CEO of Horizon, said federal funds provide for up to 35% of the operation's budget, which is more than some other centers.

"We have less visits, less populations in our communities," Erickson noted. "You don't have the amount of patient revenue that can offset that. So we do rely on the federal dollar a lot more than maybe our counterparts do in other areas of the country."

Advocates are asking Congress to authorize $5.8 billion annually through the Community Health Center Fund for the next three years.

Disclosure: The National Association of Community Health Centers contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy and Priorities, and Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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