A Federally Qualified Health Center is an entity which meets the requirements of a federally-funded health center, whether or not it receives a grant under Sections 329, 330 or 340 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act. These requirements include being nonprofit, having a community-based board of directors, providing or arranging all the necessary services, enabling the services, and providing care regardless of the ability to pay.

A Community Health Center (CHC) receives federal funding under Section 330 of the PHS Act, as amended by the Health Centers Consolidated Act of 1966 (P.L. 104-299) and the Safety Net Amendments of 2002.

1. They must be located in or serve a high need community, i.e. “medically underserved areas” or “medically underserved populations”
2. They must provide comprehensive primary care services as well as supportive services such as translation and transportation services that promote access to health care
3. Their services must be available to all residents of their service areas, with fees adjusted upon patients’ ability to pay
4. They must be governed by a community board with a majority of members health center patients
5. They must meet other performance and accountability requirements regarding their administrative, clinical, and financial operations

Sources: Public Health Service, HHS, 42 CFR Part 5 as of January 18, 1996; Bureau of Primary Health Care, Guidelines for MUA/MUP Designation, June 12, 1995; Richard C. Lee, Current Approaches to Shortage Area Designation, The Journal of Rural Health, Vol. 7 (4) Supp. 1991; Beth Giesting, Outline of Federal Designations for Areas, Populations, and Providers, (part of memo to Representative Kahikina, dated January 23, 1996, Honolulu); National Association of Country Health Officials, National Health Service Corps; Applying for Corps Personnel, January 17, 1992.

Hawaii Primary Care Office

1250 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 586-4188
Fax: (808) 586-4193