Health centers growing more slowly than planned

Community health centers, located in low-income urban neighborhoods and rural areas, were expected to double in size in five years. They are expanding, but at a slower pace than initially planned. Federal budget cuts in the face of massive government deficits have reduced money available for expansion by $3 billion over five years. Uncertainty about federal health care reform—stemming from legal challenges and the presidential election—and the prospect of future budget cuts also are factors.