Although passage of the state fiscal year (FY) 2010 operating budget has been a difficult process, the General Assembly and the Governor were able to reach an agreement on at least one important issue—a $29 billion statewide capital bill to help stimulate the economy, which includes $50 million for the construction and renovation of community health centers (CHCs) throughout the state.

Key to the mission of community health centers is meeting the needs of underserved communities—an effort that requires they continually expand sites and services in areas that lack access to primary care.

Development of new health care delivery sites is a critical part of increasing access to primary health care. Even if universal health insurance coverage becomes a reality, there persists the larger problem of the scarcity—and in some communities the total absence—of preventive and primary health care services. Sixty million people living in the United State, nearly two million in Illinois (of all income levels, races, ethnicities and insurance statuses) have inadequate access to a primary care physician due to shortages of these providers in their communities.