Community Health Center designations are awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC).  To receive this designation, CHCs must meet several requirements as outlined by the BPHC.  Basic requirements include:

• Be a not-for-profit corporation
• Be located in a medically underserved area (MUA) or must include a medically underserved population (MUP)
• Be governed by a community board of directors that is consisting of at least 51% CHC users
• Provide comprehensive primary health care services either on-site or through referral
• Provide services to all persons regardless of their ability to pay

Additional information on CHC requirements can be found through the following documents:

BPHC PIN 98-03: Health Care Program Expectations

Health Center Regulations

For more information on community development assistance, contact Tori Squires, Community Development Director, at 515-244-9610 or tsquires@ianepca.com.