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Advocating for Health Equity & Access

CCHC is a champion of community health clinics. We advocate for equitable policies that support community health clinics, expand access to care, and promote health equity across Oregon. We bring clinics, communities, and policymakers together to shape a healthcare system that works for everyone—especially communities historically excluded from equitable healthcare.

Through collaboration, training, and policy engagement, we empower clinics, community organizations, and individuals to shape a healthcare system that serves everyone.

Our board and leadership advocate for health system change. We participate in decision-making tables and advisory bodies to improve the safety-net health delivery system and health equity.

CCHC has representation on State and Local Health Boards and Committees, including but not limited to, the State of Oregon Healthcare Workforce Committee, Governors Racial Justice Health Committee, Multnomah County Health Policy Board, Oregon Health Equity Alliance (OHEA), and NW Health Preparedness Organization.

2025 Legislative Priorities

CCHC sets annual legislative priorities in collaboration with our partners and member clinics. Our current advocacy centers on healthcare workforce, health related social needs, and health equity for patients and communities often excluded from traditional healthcare systems.

View our 2025 legislative priorities >

Our Advocacy Focus

At CCHC, our advocacy is rooted in the lived experiences of communities served by our clinics. We know that community-based clinics are often the first and most trusted point of care for underserved populations.

Our goals include:

Advocate with member clinics to shape health policies and funding that strengthen Oregon’s safety-net system and expand access to care.
Partner with community-based organizations, clinics, and other partners to advance culturally responsive care and ensure impacted communities lead system change.
Champion anti-racist healthcare policies and invest in training, partnerships, and reforms that promote health equity for communities historically excluded from equitable care.
Elevate the voices of safety-net clinics in policy conversations and secure funding, referral systems, and emergency preparedness resources to support their impact.

Our Advocacy Partners

We collaborate with advocacy partners across Oregon to protect the health and rights of our most impacted communities—including trans, BIPOC, immigrant, and low-income populations. Our partners bring deep expertise in public health, equity, and systems change, including:

National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)
Oregon Primary Care Association (OPCA)
Coalition of Communities of Color (CCC)
Oregon Health Equity Alliance (OHEA)
Oregon Latino Health Coalition (OLHC)
Oregon Public Health Institute (OPHI), Right From the Start
Regional Health Equity Coalitions (RHECs)
Seeding Justice

Advocacy Day

CCHC staff and advocates with Representative Hai Pham, Democrat for District 36, South Hillsboro and West Beaverton

CCHC Advocacy Day brings frontline voices to the Capitol.

Each year, we bring clinic staff, community health workers, and local leaders to Salem to advocate for health equity. Participants receive Advocacy 101 training and join coordinated meetings with legislators—lifting up lived experience and frontline solutions

In 2024, our first formal Advocacy Day united CCHC member clinics with statewide partners like Regional Health Equity Coalitions (RHECs) and the Oregon Health Equity Alliance to advance policy priorities on tobacco prevention, 340B access, and culturally responsive care.

As this annual tradition grows, we remain committed to ensuring that community clinics and the patients they serve are heard at every level of government

Learn about our Advocacy 101 training >

Policy Success Stories

CCHC’s policy work is grounded in real-world needs. Here are some examples of our policy wins that have driven meaningful change:

Championing REALD/SOGI Data Collection
Before the pandemic, CCHC advocated for inclusive health data standards. We helped elevate the importance of REALD (Race, Ethnicity, Language, and Disability) and SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) and passed legislation to fund current programs to improve data collection and care equity statewide.

Tobacco Flavor Ban Leadership
While the 2024 statewide ban is still in progress, CCHC helped pass local bans in Multnomah and Washington Counties—and continues to fight for a healthier future.

Protecting Prescription Access
In partnership with OPCA, we support sustainable access to affordable medications through the 340B program.