CHC Conversations – The Oral History of The CHC Movement - Hosted by: Dan Hawkins

CHC Conversations – The Oral History of The Community Health Center Movement

This video podcast showcases the rice, diverse, and important living history of the health center movement told through a series of conversations with health centers leaders, executives, medical professionals and community health thought leaders.

The nation’s first health centers opened in 1965. Today, expansion of the federally supported health center system has grown to over 1,400 organizations, operating more than 10,000 clinic sites serving more than 29 million patients and generating $55 billion in economic activity annually. Health centers help increase access to crucial primary care by reducing barriers such as cost, lack of insurance, distance, and language for their patients. In doing so, health centers provide substantial benefits to the country and its health care system.

Learn about the vital role that community health centers play in the American health care system.

Hosted by: Dan Hawkins

Dan Hawkins is Senior Adviser to the President and CEO at the National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc. (NACHC). From 1981 through 2018, he headed the Public Policy and Research Division of NACHC, where he provided NACHC's membership with federal and state health-related policy research, analysis, advocacy, and leadership. During his time in policy, federal support for health centers grew from $350 million in 1981 to $6 billion annually in 2018, and the number of people served by health centers has grown from 5 million to over 28 million. Prior to joining NACHC, Dan served as a VISTA volunteer, Director of a migrant and community health center located in south Texas, and as an assistant to HHS Secretary Joseph Califano during the Carter Administration. He has written numerous articles and monographs on health care issues, and has provided testimony before several Congressional Committees. Dan has lectured on health policy topics at the George Washington University and several other universities, and has been interviewed frequently by major newspapers and radio/television networks. He has been named by Faulkner & Gray as one of America's most influential health policy makers.

Sponsored by:

National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)

The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) was founded in 1971 to promote efficient, high quality, comprehensive health care that is accessible, culturally and linguistically competent, community directed, and patient-centered for all. NACHC also works closely with chartered state and regional Primary Care Associations (PCAs) to fulfill their shared health care mission and support the growth and development of community-based health center programs.

Community Health Ventures (CHV)

Community Health Ventures (CHV) is the business development affiliate of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). With over 100 years of collective experience, CHV’s management team has been instrumental in the development and expansion