Advocacy

Updated 5/19/25:

There's a lot happening at the federal and state levels that will impact free clinics.

Are you ready to educate your legislators about the work of your clinic and how your patients will be impacted by proposed cuts? We're here to help. Find your legislators here.

Do you need messaging to send? Here's something you can use:

I’m reaching out on behalf of ____ Clinic in ____. We provide healthcare to uninsured and underinsured voters you represent - people who often fall through the cracks of our current system.

Unlike federally qualified health centers, we receive no direct federal funding. We rely on volunteers, small staffs, local donations, and community partnerships to serve thousands of Washingtonians. But our ability to do this work is at risk.

Proposed cuts to Medicaid, non-renewal of ACA subsidies, and rollbacks to Title X or the National Health Service Corps would directly harm your constituents. Medicaid unwinding has already increased demand for our services.

We also urge your support for:

Workforce programs like NHSC, Nurse Corps, and AmeriCorps that help free clinics recruit and retain providers.

• 340B Drug Pricing Program inclusion so we can affordably provide medication to those who need it.
• Automatic HPSA designation to unlock much-needed workforce support.
• Preserving Title X funding for critical preventive and reproductive health services.
• Charitable giving incentives that sustain our operations—most Washington State free clinics operate on less than $250k annually, raised entirely through donations.

We are the net below the safety net. Please include free clinics in your policy and funding decisions.

We’d be honored to host you or your staff for a visit. Thank you for your leadership and commitment to the health of Washingtonians.