title: Community health centers at the crossroads: growth and staffing needs.
abstract: In response to increased demand for primary care services under the Affordable Care Act, the national network of community health centers (CHCs) will play an increasingly prominent role. CHCs have a broad staffing model that includes extensive use of physician assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and certified nurse midwives (CNMs). Between 2007 and 2012, the number of PAs, NPs, and CNMs at CHCs increased by 61%, compared with 31% for physicians. However, several policy and payment issues jeopardize CHCs' ability to expand their workforce and meet the current and rising demand for care.
authors: Michelle Proser is director of research at the National Association of Community Health Centers in Bethesda, Md. Tyler Bysshe is a senior research associate in the Milken Institute School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy, at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Donald Weaver is associate medical officer at the National Association of Community Health Centers. Ronald Yee is chief executive officer and chief medical officer at United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley in Parlier, Calif. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Proser
authors: Tyler
authors: T
authors: Bysshe
authors: Donald
authors: D
authors: Weaver
authors: Ronald
authors: R
authors: Yee
mesh_terms: D003151:Community Health Centers; D003153:Community Health Services; D006291:Health Policy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006280:Health Workforce; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D058991:Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D010823:Physician Assistants; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms