The Largest Gathering of Community Health Center Leaders Kicks Off in Atlanta, GA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Amy Simmons Farber (202) 309 0338

BETHESDA, MD-The nation's largest network of primary care providers, Community Health Centers, will gather on August 24-26 in Atlanta, GA, for a national conference. The 2024 Community Health Institute (CHI) and EXPO, hosted by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), comes as a record 32.5 million patients - one in 10 people - are getting care at health centers in rural, urban, suburban, tribal and island communities across the nation. Health centers have experienced an unprecedented increase of 2.7 million patients the last four years. The demand for affordable primary care services is soaring and nearly one-third of the U.S. population, more than 100 million people, are struggling to find a primary care provider.

The NACHC CHI will focus on critical challenges in the U.S healthcare system, including the underinvestment in primary care, workforce shortages, access to affordable medications, and Medicaid redeterminations.

The conference will also feature a slate of dynamic speakers, including:

Mandy K. Cohen, MD, MPH: Dr. Mandy Cohen is the Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Dr. Cohen is one of the nation's top health leaders with experience leading large and complex organizations, and a proven track-record protecting Americans' health and safety. She manages and directs the activities of the agency including disease prevention and control, environmental health, health promotion and health education activities to improve the health of the American people.

Governor Brian P. Kemp:Governor Brian P. Kemp, a native of Athens, GA, broke economic records throughout his first term with jobs and investments coming to every region of the state. In 2022, Governor Kemp was re-elected to serve a second term, running on a record of economic success in the Peach State while prioritizing the increase of rural broadband access for economic growth, educational opportunity, and healthcare access. Governor Kemp also aims to lower costs, improve quality, and increase access to quality healthcare in every region.

The Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy:During his time in Congress, Patrick J. Kennedy was the lead author of the landmark Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which requires insurers to cover treatment for mental health and substance use disorders no more restrictively than treatment for illnesses of the body, such as diabetes and cancer. In 2013, he founded The Kennedy Forum, a nonprofit that unites advocates, business leaders, and government agencies to advance evidence-based practices, policies, and programming in mental health and addiction.

Sarah M. London: Sarah M. London is CEO of Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company and leading national healthcare payer that takes a uniquely local approach to providing fully integrated, high-quality, and cost-effective services. Centene focuses on government-sponsored healthcare programs and primarily serves under-insured and uninsured individuals. London has spent her career at the intersection of health data, technology and healthcare delivery transformation.

Joseph BetancourtMD, MPH: Joseph Betancourt is the President of The Commonwealth Fund and one of the nation's preeminent leaders in health care policy, equity, quality, and community health. He formerly served as the senior vice president for Equity and Community Health at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and as founding director of the Disparities Solutions Center. He has devoted his career to improving the quality and value of health care for diverse populations.

Gerald E. Johnson III: As Executive Vice President of Health Equity & Chief Diversity Officer for the American Heart Association (AHA), Johnson brings a wealth of experience in building brands and driving sales results. During his tenure he's held various leadership positions in Marketing, most recently as Chief Marketing Officer for Magic Johnson Enterprises and the Magic Johnson Foundation with accountability for leading marketing across all businesses, as well as driving revenue and sales for Strategic Alliances, Licensing and Fund Raising.

The NACHC CHI will also feature senior leaders from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Instacart Health, AAFP, Direct Relief, HLTH, AltaMed, and HRSA funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partners. The conference will also feature an EXPO hall of more than 150 exhibitors from across the healthcare landscape.

WHAT: The NACHC 2024 Community Health Institute

WHERE: The Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, GA

WHEN: August 24-26

Members of the media who wish to cover this event must register in advance. NACHC's conference press policies and guidelines can be found here. NACHC is the leading innovative change agent collaborating with affiliates and partners to advance Community Health Centers as the foundation of an equitable health care system free from disparities, and built on accessible, patient-governed, high-quality, integrated primary care.

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