title: Health centers and the healthcare system.
abstract: Although health centers are mainly concerned with the direct provision of comprehensive preventive and primary care, that role necessarily means interaction with the rest of the healthcare delivery and financing system. Doing so assures that the vulnerable populations they serve have access to comprehensive care. This article explores health center relationships with hospitals, healthcare professional teaching programs, specialty physicians, other providers, networks and managed care, and innovative payment arrangements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy, The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, Washington, DC 20006, USA. azuvekas@cox.net
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zuvekas
mesh_terms: D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D014481:United States