Experienced health care executive Dr. Kyu Rhee, recently named as the president and CEO of the National Association of Community Health Centers, says member organizations are working on three big goals: Being the provider of choice, the employer of choice and the partner of choice.

As he and NACHC members focus on these items, they’re also nervously awaiting congressional action. In late September, Congress passed a short-term extension of funding for community health centers, National Health Services Corps and the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program. Without Congressional action, that money will expire on Nov. 17.

Dr. Rhee says he sees bipartisan support for community health centers on Capitol Hill but the coming days will be critical as the funding hurdles become clearer.

“Conversations on Health Care” hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter also discuss with Dr. Rhee workforce needs, value-based care and how centers are ready for the next pandemic, if and when it could occur.