Gov. Whitmer Proclaims Health Center Week from August 3-9

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 5, 2025

Contact: press@michigan.gov

Gov. Whitmer Proclaims Health Center Week from August 3-9

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation declaring August 3-9 as Health Center Week in Michigan, reaffirming the state’s commitment to improving public health. As the impact of the Republican cuts to Medicaid and Marketplace insurance looms, Governor Whitmer remains committed to protecting and expanding access to quality, affordable health care, including health centers. As such, Health Center Week offers the opportunity to celebrate Michigan’s health center organizations, their dedicated staff, board members, and patients.

"Everyone should have access to affordable, high-quality health care no matter where they live,” said Governor Whitmer. “Health centers are critical to making this a reality for Michiganders across our state, but Republican cuts to Medicaid and Marketplace insurance threaten their good work. Hundreds of thousands of Michiganders would lose access to affordable health services provided by these centers, forcing them to go further and pay more for basic health care. I’ll keep fighting for the over 400 health centers in Michigan and their staff who serve a wide range of patients, including rural Michiganders, veterans, and the elderly. And I’ll keep working with anyone to protect access to health care for Michiganders across the state."

“Health centers serve Michiganders in every corner of our state, from the rural U.P. to metro Detroit,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “In Michigan, being sick shouldn’t mean breaking the bank. This week, we celebrate health centers and recommit to defending health care access in the face of devastating Republican cuts that would force our neighbors, families, and friends off their health care. Let’s keep Standing Tall so every Michigander can stay and succeed in our state and achieve health, wealth, and prosperity."

“Health Centers strive for excellence and have a proven track record in providing high-quality, integrated healthcare. Health centers’ patient-directed models of care are tailored to the unique needs of each community and through decades of service they have demonstrated a lasting positive impact on the health of Michigan residents," said Phillip Berquist, CEO of the Michigan Primary Care Association. "This year, National Health Center Week focuses on the theme: “America’s Health Centers Celebrating 60 Years of Improving our Nation’s Health.” In Michigan, we are hosting over 50 scheduled events, including resource fairs, back-to-school drives, health screenings, and more to celebrate health center patients, staff, and partners. Health centers are proud to care for Michiganders every day and to have an opportunity to celebrate being a part of a movement that has stood the test of time and continues to be as essential today as it was 60 years ago."

“Cherry Health is proud to join the nearly 1,500 community health centers nationwide in recognizing National Health Center Week,” said Tasha Blackmon, president and CEO of Cherry Health. “This year’s theme, set by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), is Celebrating 60 Years of Progress. Cherry Health first opened our doors in 1988 and has been providing comprehensive, high-quality care for all ever since. Over the past 37 years, we’ve expanded to more than 20 locations across the state of Michigan, serving nearly 58,000 patients annually, 53% of whom rely on Medicaid. At Cherry Health, every door is the right door, meaning no matter how patients access our award-winning services, they’ll have easy access to all services we provide, including medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, pharmacy, and the list goes on. We want our patients to know they are welcome here – every patient, every service, every time. We look forward to continuing to meet our community’s needs and serving those who need us most for many years to come.”

“As America’s Health Centers Celebrate 60 years of improving our Nation’s Health, we reflect on the history of the Ingham Community Health Centers,” said Theresa Pruder, Operations Director of Ingham Community Health Center. “In 2009, the Ingham Community Health Centers were founded to provide more accessible health care throughout the Lansing area, serving all people regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Today, the Ingham Community Health Centers continue to deliver high quality primary care, dental, behavioral health, and specialty services to our community. Our team of dedicated staff would like to say, “Thank You!” to all of you who have visited over the years and who have contributed to making the health centers such a special place to work. Together, we look forward to building a healthier, stronger Ingham County- one patient at a time.”

At Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center, we are proud to stand at the heart of our communities, delivering compassionate, high-quality care to everyone—regardless of their background or ability to pay,” said Trevor Hodges, CEO of Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center. “National Health Center Week is a time to honor the incredible dedication of our staff and the vital role health centers play in strengthening public health, advancing equity, and ensuring access to care for all. Together, we are building healthier communities, one patient at a time."

"For over 60 years Community Health Centers have provided access to vital healthcare services, to those who live in some of the most rural and underserved populations across our nation,” said Julie Shaw Board Chair of Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center. “Here in the Upper Peninsula, we are fortunate to have Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center (UGLFHC) committed to providing these services. With over 17 clinics located throughout the Upper Peninsula, UGLFHC works tirelessly to ensure that people in our rural communities have access to high quality and affordable medical, dental, and behavioral services. Today we not only recognize the commitment, passion, and hard work given by both past and present-day Community Health Center staff, board members, and supporters, we also acknowledge the importance of preserving and strengthening the legacy they have built."

Health centers are critical to supporting public health in Michigan. Specifically, the centers reduce overall costs of care by helping manage patients’ chronic conditions, helping them avoid costly trips to hospital emergency departments. Health centers also play an important role in responding to emerging health care crises, providing access to care for veterans, addressing the opioid epidemic, and more.

Trump-Administration Attacks on Health Centers

Since the Trump administration took office, health centers have been under attack. In February of this year, centers in at least 10 states experienced delays accessing their federal funds, forcing some to shut down and others to consider closure. The delays started after the administration issued a memo putting a blanket freeze on grant funding, which was later rescinded.

Republican Cuts to Medicaid and Marketplace Insurance Impact on Health Centers

The Republican cuts to Medicaid threaten the over 400 health center site locations across Michigan, serving thousands of Medicaid beneficiaries each year. Health centers in Michigan receive roughly 40% of their funding from Medicaid. As such, cuts to Medicaid would slash their budgets, affecting their ability to pay their employees and provide quality, affordable care. This will be devastating for the communities they serve, including rural Michiganders, veterans, and the elderly.

Similarly, the Republicans failed to extend Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (EPTC), which have made marketplace coverage more affordable for millions of Americans. Without EPTCs, more Michiganders will lose their insurance. While health centers will still provide care to these patients in the short-term, they may be eventually be forced to close their doors due to the loss of revenue.