Community health centers serve as the medical home and primary care physician to 17,000,000 persons nationwide. Idaho's thirteen CHCs provide services to more than 112,000 residents in 38 communities throughout the state. 

CHCs fill critical gaps in health care by serving the working poor, the uninsured, the medically underserved, and many high-risk and vulnerable populations.

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CHCs integrate primary health care delivery with outreach, patient education, translation, and similar support services to make health care responsive and cost-effective. CHCs significantly increase the use of preventive health services such as immunizations, pap smears, mammograms and glaucoma screenings, to name a few.

CHCs provide health care for all who seek their services. Patients are charged on a sliding fee scale to ensure that income or lack of insurance is not a barrier to health care.

CHCs provide services in rural and medically-underserved areas. They contribute to the health and well-being of their communities by keeping children healthy and helping adults remain productive and on the job. They recruit and train health professionals for service in rural and medically underserved areas of the nation.

CHCs involve patients in the delivery of health care services. Governing boards--the majority of which must be patients according to federal grant requirements--direct CHC operations. This active patient management assures responsiveness to local needs, and guarantees quality of life for patients. Services, therefore, are tailored to fit the special needs and the priorities of the community.