March 5—Due to sequestration, 1,200 federally funded health centers in primarily low-income areas could serve 900,000 fewer patients, according to a report issued by public health researchers.

Because of the timing, sequestration’s impact will be concentrated in the second half of FY13, necessitating major, immediate programmatic reductions that will affect the local economies in which the health centers operate, the report states.

The authors note that the personnel and service cuts needed to absorb $120 million in grant funding losses can be expected to result in an additional loss of $230 million in third-party insurance payments needed to support operations. The cuts will disproportionately impact the poorest Americans, children, young families, and members of ethnic and racial minority groups, as well individuals with serious and chronic health care needs, according to the report.

The report was released by the Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.

Publication Date: Tuesday, March 05, 2013