Patient Impact

CHCF 2026 Health Policy Survey: 72% of Californians Worry About Losing Health Coverage

The California Health Care Foundation's annual health policy survey found 72% of adults worry about losing health coverage amid federal Medicaid cuts. Key findings: 81% support state action to protect coverage, 65% would pay more in taxes to preserve Medi-Cal. Survey of 1,700+ adults provides FQHCs with data to support advocacy and demonstrates public mandate for safety-net protection.

GWU Geiger Gibson: 1.4 Million Homeless Patients at Community Health Centers Face Medicaid Disenrollment from Paperwork Barriers

A new GWU Geiger Gibson Program brief documents that 1.4 million patients experiencing homelessness currently receive care at community health centers — and these patients face disproportionate risk of Medicaid disenrollment under work requirements and documentation barriers, even when legally exempt. CHC staff will bear the burden of connecting patients to exemption documentation processes, adding administrative load at the worst possible time. California FQHCs serving high proportions of unhoused patients (particularly SF, LA, and Sacramento) should begin planning for exemption navigation workflows now.

TransThrive Opens New Trans-Led FQHC Clinic in SF Amid Federal Attacks on LGBTQ+ Health Access

SF Community Health Center (SFCHC) opens TransThrive, a new trans-led clinic providing primary care, behavioral health, and gender-affirming services — expanding access at the same time federal attacks are defunding LGBTQ+ health programs. A counter-narrative to the broader retrenchment in trans healthcare.

SF Community Health Center Opens New TransThrive Clinic — Expansion of Trans/Nonbinary Care Amid Federal Rollbacks

San Francisco Community Health Center celebrated a TransThrive clinic expansion/grand opening in early April 2026 — a counter-signal to federal rollbacks on gender-affirming care and the earlier termination of $300K+ in TransHOPE funding. The clinic opening demonstrates FQHC leadership filling gaps as Title X and HHS dollars tighten, and reinforces SFCHC's role as a national model for LGBTQ+ culturally-responsive care delivery.

SF Community Health Center Opens Largest Trans Healthcare Facility in the U.S. — TransThrive Grand Opening

San Francisco Community Health Center opened a new 8,000 sq ft TransThrive clinic at 1460 Pine Street — the largest dedicated transgender healthcare facility in the country — providing medical, mental health, HIV/STI services, and social services to transgender and gender non-conforming patients. A rare expansion story against the backdrop of SF budget cuts, demonstrating FQHC resilience and community investment.

Glenn County's Only Hospital Clears Federal Hurdle to Reopen — Rural Health Resilience Signal

Glenn County's only hospital cleared a federal CMS licensing hurdle needed to reopen, though it still requires millions in additional funding. The rural Central Valley county lost its sole hospital in 2023, forcing residents to travel 30+ miles for emergency care. The reopening effort — led by the Glenn Medical Center Foundation — demonstrates community investment in rural healthcare infrastructure even amid federal funding cuts. Glenn County is served by Ampla Health (the region's primary FQHC).

United Health Centers Opens 40th Clinic in West Fresno 'Health Care Desert' Despite Federal Funding Pressure

United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley opened its 40th location on January 23, 2026, in West Fresno — an area described as a 'health care desert.' UHC serves over 100,000 patients with 450,000 annual appointments across Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties. The expansion comes despite looming federal Medicaid funding pressures that threaten 77% of net patient revenue at San Joaquin Valley FQHCs (per CHCF's 2025 regional report). UHC was recognized as a HRSA Top 10% Health Center Quality Leader in 2025. The organization also launched United Physicians Network, a for-profit IPA, as a revenue diversification strategy.