Voter Registration/Census Engagement

Civic Health Month is a nationwide celebration held each August to showcase and strengthen the relationship between health care, healthy communities, and civic participation. Vot-ER, the operating partner of Civic Health Month, is a non-partisan organization at the crossroads of health and democracy. Vot-ER partnered with more than 100 hospitals, medical schools, businesses, and civic and health organizations in their inaugural year. Civic Health Month is excited to build on this impact in 2021 and empower healthcare institutions to give their staff and patients a voice in the public policy decisions that affect their wellbeing. You can find a 2-pager about Civic Health Month and sign up to be a partner here.

We are partnering with non-profit VotER to build this capacity within the health center movement. Every CHC will receive 2 clings (removable stickers) with QR and text codes that will direct patients, staff, vendors, and supporters to a link to register to vote. We hope that you will post these clings to encourage patients and staff to participate in the democratic process. We will be having a state-by-state competition and hope you will join! Click here to see an overview of the VotER program.

Check out the Vot-ER page specific to CHCs!

There are two ways that you can get additional resources for health center:

1. Sign up for your Healthy Democracy Kits unique to your Health Center https://vot-er.org/CHC/. There is a free digital option and a paid option if you instead want a physical version – both come with monthly reporting of how many patients you’ve registered.
2. Sign up for your Free Voter Registration Posters and Patient Handouts in English and Spanish branded uniquely for your Health Center: https://vot-er.org/CHC/.

Best Practices Resources: 

1. Article – Encouraging Civic Engagement: Community Health Centers and Nonpartisan Voter Education & Registration Activities
2. Voter Registration Best Practices
3. Legal Q&As on Voter Engagement‘

Additional Resources:

1. Social Media Graphics
2. Add a VotER Frame to your Facebook profile picture!

This November is about more than presidential elections. There are many issues on the ballot that will affect Community Health Centers and our patients.

It is important for health center advocates to consider these issues when casting your vote:

1. Federal policies and funding

• The House and Senate have only passed short-term funding for Community Health Centers leaving these essential small businesses with the inability to plan for the long-term. With COVID-19 cases rising again and increased numbers of unemployed and uninsured people, Community Health Centers need long-term, stable funding.
• The Supreme Court will soon hear arguments on Texas v. Azar which challenges the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. Remember…Medicaid expansion, which has increased the number of people for whom health centers can provide care, as well as other important policies, could be struck down.
• The future of our 340B program is at risk and, without action, how will we secure the funding shortfall if the 340B savings are taken away from us?

2. State Medicaid

• Half of all health center patients use Medicaid. When states cut Medicaid, during economic downturns, it has a direct impact on our patients and our health centers’ ability to deliver care. State policymakers must protect state Medicaid programs from cuts and work to expand access to care during this pandemic. Medicaid is the first and last resort for primary care, vaccinations, wellness visits, maternal health, and dental services for many of our neighbors.

3. State and Local Leaders who Protect FQHCs

• Additional health center-related issues that are decided by state and local leaders include:
  • Protecting health center payment provisions that keep our doors open;
  • Improved access to telehealth services for health center patients; and,
  • Preserving and enforcing the many provisions of the Affordable Care Act that ensure access to quality, affordable health care.

The 2020 Census is a critical effort that translates directly into Community Health Center funding. It is important that we ensure all of the members of our communities are counted this year.

The California Primary Care Association (CPCA) has engaged in multiple virtual efforts to promote census completion during COVID-19.  CPCA has developed the following resources. Check them out to guide your Census awareness-building efforts:

• • CPCA Census Toolkit
  • Census 2020 COVID-19 Webinar – June 2020
  • My Health Counts Website
  • Sign up to receive CPCA’s biweekly emails here
  • Join CPCA’s monthly Census strategy calls here
  • Examples of Spotify Ads placed to promote Census efforts by CPCA and the Latino Community Foundation:
    • • English Clip 1
      • English Clip 2
      • Spanish Clip