Community Health Centers open their doors, services and hearts to all, regardless of ones ability to pay. For over 30 years, community health centers have served as America's safety net, primary care providers. Today, community health centers serve over 15 million patients nationwide, including 36 community health centers in Florida, serving over a half million residents.
Community health centers are unique in the care system, in that current patients must comprise a majority (at least 51 percent) of their organization's board of directors. All board members, many of whom are noted community and business leaders, serve in a volunteer capacity. As non-profit 503c (3) health organizations, centers operate in underserved communities, inner cities, rural areas or neighborhoods whose residents for economic, cultural or graphical reasons would not otherwise have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare. They reach out to migrant workers, immigrants and other "hard-to-reach" populations.