The future of teaching health centers: Are they sustainable and will rural areas suffer without them?

The ACA created the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, which allows medical residents to train at community health centers. However, the program may cease to exist in the coming year, leaving a gap in access to care for rural patients, according to The PEW Charitable Trusts.

As current law stands, the program will receive government funding until September. Equipped with almost 750 primary care residents in 27 states and Washington, D.C., the program provides much-needed care in rural and urban regions. In 2016 and 2017, 39 teaching health centers received $86 million in government funding. However, the government is facing pressure to make budget cuts and this program's fate is up in the air.

In 2010, legislators gave the program $230 million over five years. However, this figure fell to $60 million annually in 2015, leading to less support among residents. With fewer residents funneling into centers, some closed that year with many wondering if this trend will continue until every center shuts its doors.

All hope is not lost. Billings, Mont.-based practice, RiverStone Health, had teaching health centers prior to the program's inception. RiverStone has added one medical resident each year since the ACA launched the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program.

Teaching heath centers address numerous health issues including obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Some residents provide care for patients in jails, homeless shelters and HIV/AIDS clinics. Without the program, many worry these cohorts will face the repercussions.

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