Message from the CEO

As the leaves begin to change color here in the City of Trees, signaling a time of transition and making space for growth, I am filled with a sense of gratitude for the remarkable journey we are on together. Our continued progress in ensuring community health centers are at the table when major health care policy is being developed in California is a testament to our unified voice and purpose as laid out in California Primary Care Association’s (CPCA) Strategic Plan.

In September, we launched The Community Health Center Navigator Project, which we have undertaken in collaboration and with the support of the California Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS). In alignment with our commitment to protect our patients’ access to healthcare, this $20 million initiative provides critical support to California’s community health centers (CHCs), enabling our patients to effectively navigate Medi-Cal enrollment and re-enrollment processes. Our overarching goal is to make sure every Californian has not just health care coverage, but equitable access to the care they deserve.

Our push for billions of dollars in additional funding for the Medi-Cal program, community health centers, and the safety-net via the Protect Access to Healthcare Act of 2024 ballot initiative is an exciting stride toward ensuring timely access to care for all Californians and Becoming a Center of Advocacy Power & Influence. Our collective voice is stronger than ever, and we remain committed to championing the needs of health centers, their patients, and their staff at every policy table.

We are also working diligently to support CHCs in the implementation of the new minimum wage law for healthcare employees adopted pursuant to SB 525. A critical part of the work is ensuring that CHCs have the necessary resources to elevate the wages of our workforce to strengthen our workforce and position health centers as employers of choice; enriching our local communities and ensuring that health center staff and their families can thrive.

Our 2023 Annual Conference was another resounding success. More than 750 attendees, dedicated to the cause of community health, gathered to learn, share and network. True to the event theme, "Innovation + Impact: Engaging Communities, Empowering Change,” the dynamic agenda served as a catalyst for creative solutions aimed at Health Center Optimization and local community involvement, particularly in the realm of Civic Engagement.

Concurrent with our Annual Conference, we announced the launch of our Civic Engagement Program, which aims to energize, educate and empower our local communities and health center staff to actively participate in the voting process, furthering our goal of achieving health and well-being for all.

And now, on the cusp of CPCA’s 30th Anniversary, it is an opportune time to celebrate our achievements and rich legacy of advancing health equity. This upcoming milestone allows us to reflect on the transformative work of our member health centers and reaffirms our commitment to Association Impact & Sustainability.

As we transition to a new season and a new year, let’s remember that progress is measured not just in milestones achieved, but also in the lives we touch and the communities we uplift. Let's carry on together, united in our mission and with the resolve to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.

¡Adelante!
Francisco J. Silva
President and CEO