Episode 16 | Straight from the Hill: What the NACHC P&I Forum Means for Your Health Center

February 18, 2026

Episode Overview

Steve Weinman just returned from his 40th National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) Policy and Issues Forum in Washington, D.C.—the largest policy and advocacy event in the community health center world. In this episode, he shares what he heard on the Hill, in the exhibit hall, and in the hallways, and what it all means for health center leaders heading back to their desks right now. Jill and Steve cut through the noise to give you the intel that matters—and the action steps you actually need to take.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

  • What the record-breaking funding increase in the Consolidated Appropriations Act actually means (and what it doesn’t)

  • Why the community health center program posted a 2% program-wide financial loss for 2025 - and what’s coming next

  • The real story on 340B: the rebate program isn’t dead, it’s just being reconstituted - what you need to know now

  • The looming workforce crisis: projected national shortages of 70,000 primary care physicians, 350,000 nurses, and 500,000 behavioral health providers

  • Why the Teaching Health Center program’s new 4-year funding commitment is a game changer for recruiting

  • The untapped Medicare opportunity most health centers are ignoring—and why now is the time to act

  • What HRSA told attendees about mergers, acquisitions, and low-performing health centers (pay attention to this)

  • How OSV cycles are changing and what the 25% pay cut to site reviewers could mean for your next visit

  • What AI-powered vendors stood out at the exhibit hall—and which ones were mostly hype

  • Why cutting your way out of financial trouble usually makes things worse, and what to do instead

Key Takeaways

“The funding increase is real—but it’s not a rescue. The 90% of revenue that doesn’t come from HRSA still has to be earned.”

— Steve Weinman

“There is always a way out—and it doesn’t have to be cutting, merging, or closing the doors.”

— Jill Steeley

Funding Snapshot: What Was Passed

  • $4.6 billion in mandatory funding — a net increase of ~$300 million (record-breaking)

  • $350 million for the National Health Service Corps (up $5M — effectively flat)

  • $175 million for the Teaching Health Center program (up $50M) with a new 4-year funding commitment

  • Funding extended through end of calendar year, providing an extra quarter of certainty

What to Do Right Now

  • Don’t wait for HRSA to flag your compliance issues—get ahead of them

  • Review your 340B program now, before new reporting requirements land in next year’s UDS

  • Build a strategy to recruit traditional Medicare patients (not just dual eligibles)

  • Look at your provider productivity numbers honestly—and have a plan to address them

  • Invest in operational efficiency before cutting headcount triggers a downward spiral

  • If you’re heading into an OSV, prepare carefully—the reviewer quality landscape is shifting

Mentioned in This Episode

CEO Bootcamp — Jill & Steve’s program for health center leaders navigating strategic and financial decisions | link in show notes

Vital Interaction — AI-powered patient engagement platform (also featured in Episode #13)

Azara Healthcare — Population health data platform (used by 50%+ of FQHCs)

Equiscript — 340B third-party administrator leveraging HIE data to capture referral prescriptions

Friday’s Webinar REGISTER HERE — Jill & Steve’s live conversation on navigating uncertain funding and building stability | 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET |

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Have a topic request or feedback? Jill would love to hear from you. [email protected]

© 2026 Jill Steeley