WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson's (R-NC) MOBILE Health Care Act advanced today in the Energy and Commerce Committee. The bipartisan legislation would allow existing community health centers to use New Access Point grants to establish mobile health units, increasing access to affordable, quality health care in rural and underserved communities.
The bill passed in committee unanimously by a vote of 52-0 and will now be presented before the full House of Representatives.
"This legislation is critical for improving health care quality and access across our country. By allowing community health centers more flexibility in their use of New Access Point grants, this bill will increase their ability to expand healthcare coverage, especially in rural and historically underserved areas," said Rep. Richard Hudson. "I thank Representatives Susie Lee, Raul Ruiz and Jaime Herrera Beutler for their leadership and look forward to this measure being considered before the House."
In North Carolina, 18 community health centers currently operate 38 mobile units. For North Carolina’s 43 total community health centers and the nearly 75,000 patients they serve across 400 clinical locations, this bill will help them to expand their current services to meet patients’ current and future needs.
Along with Hudson, Reps. Susie Lee (D-NV), Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA), and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) serve as original cosponsors on this bill. It is supported by the North Carolina Community Health Center Association, Cabarrus Rowan Community Health Centers, Inc., and Community Free Clinic in Concord. This is in addition to the National Association of Community Health Centers, National Rural Health Association, American Dental Association, and National Health Care for the Homeless Council.
The U.S. Senate passed a companion version of the bill on September 6, 2022. You can learn more about the MOBILE Health Care Act and supporting organizations here.
Additionally, you can view Hudson's full remarks here.