Community Health Centers and the Patient-Centered Medical Home: Challenges and Opportunities to Reduce Health Care Disparities in America

This commentary was written by Daren R. Anderson, MD, vice president and chief quality officer, Community Health Center, Inc., Middletown, Conn., and J. Nwando Olayiwola, MD, chief medical officer, community Health Center, Inc.

Health care disparities pose an ongoing challenge to the nation. The patient-centered medical home model presents a unique opportunity for community health centers to improve the health of medically underserved communities and reduce health care disparities. Community health centers face ongoing financial and operational challenges, but are well positioned to adopt the patient-centered medical home model. Health centers have experience collaborating on quality improvement initiatives and possess a strong organizational structure. The culture of CHCs emphasizes cultural competence, team work, and patient-centrism, and is well-aligned with the patient-centered medical home model. However, community health centersneed more support to make fundamental changes in processes and practice culture. Many of these changes require substantial redesigns that can challenge even the most innovative practices. State and federal policy should focus on providing training, guidance, and payment mechanisms that support patient-centered medical homes. Taking these steps, the United States can achieve the goal that every American receives patient-centered care that is equitable, affordable and effective.