Federal Policy & Advocacy
Congress Passes Funding Victory for Community Health Centers
This week House passed a revised version of the Consolidated Appropriations Act by a vote of 217–214, ending the partial government shutdown and delivering a major win for Community Health Centers (CHCs) and the 52 million patients they serve.
The bipartisan legislation extends CHC funding through December 31, 2026, providing $4.6 billion to ensure continued access to affordable, comprehensive, and effective care for patients in rural, urban, suburban, mountain, frontier, and island communities.
This marks the largest increase in the Community Health Center Fund in a decade and provides stability after years of short-term continuing resolutions. The expanded funding paves the way for critical investments in CHC care delivery and its professional workforce, which serve as the largest primary care network in the United States.
Specific provisions in the Act include:
- $350 million in base funding for the National Health Service Corps in 2026
- $225 million in FY 2026 funding for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, with additional funding in future years
- An extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities through 2027
Thank you to our advocates whose tireless efforts helped make this historic funding victory possible. Through tens of thousands of calls, letters, and community engagement, you ensure that funding decisions are grounded in the real experiences of patients and providers in communities across the country. Your advocacy truly matters!
Celebrating Our Communities & Health Priorities
Black History Month
During Black History Month, Piedmont Health Services honors the rich history, lasting impact, and ongoing contributions of the Black community. We reaffirm our commitment to equity, respect, and access to quality care, and we recognize the invaluable role Black voices and leadership play in strengthening our organization and the communities we serve.
American Women Physicians Day
February 3rd we recognized American Women Physicians Day and celebrate the dedication, leadership, and compassion of women physicians who advance health care and inspire positive change every day. We thank the women physicians at Piedmont Health Services and across the nation for their commitment to excellence and patient-centered care.
Heart Health Month
February is Heart Health Month, a time to raise awareness about cardiovascular health and the importance of prevention, early detection, and healthy lifestyle choices. Piedmont Health Services remains committed to supporting heart health through education, quality care, and resources that help our communities thrive.
February: Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts
February is a great time to highlight the important connection between oral health and heart health. Healthy gums play a vital role in overall wellness, and simple daily habits—brushing, flossing, and maintaining regular dental visits—can make a meaningful difference. We encourage our patients and teammates to prioritize oral care as an essential part of caring for the whole body, because true wellness begins in the mouth.
We are also excited to celebrate National Give Kids A Smile Day this month. Our Moncure and Chapel Hill Dental teams are proud to serve our communities on Friday, February 6.
PHS Updates & Announcements
Retirement Plan Transition – T Rowe
Why did we decide to change retirement plan administrators?
After careful review, we believe this change will be beneficial to our employees by reducing administrative fees associated with account management—ultimately allowing more of your contributions to remain invested and grow in your retirement account.
Where are we in the transition process?
We are currently in the Blackout Period. During this time you will be unable to direct or diversify investments, obtain a loan, or a distribution from the plan. The Blackout Period is expected to end on February 20th. Once it has ended you will have full access to your retirement account at T Rowe.
Is there anything that I should be doing now?
Yes, please register to attend one of the webinars on February 26th to learn additional details.
Registration Link: https://www.trowepricemeetings.com/ehome/871747
Heart of Healthcare Gala
We will proudly recognize our Service Award Recipients at our 2026 Heart of Healthcare Gala on Saturday, March 14th. Invites were sent out via email from Evite on January 26th.
If you didn't receive your invite:
- Check your Admin Junk Summary to see if the message was flagged as spam
- Send an email to Kaelah Alston at Alstonk@piedmonthealth.org to have the invite resent from Evite
RSVP Deadline
February 11th
Hotel Discount Deadline
February 27th for Drury Inn & Suites
Staff Language Survey
Our Staff Language Survey is still available! If you haven't already please consider taking our survey to help us better understand the range of languages spoken within our workforce, and ensure we are aligned with the needs of the patients we serve.
Survey Link: https://forms.gle/XDDyDaWbRAa1M32p6
We appreciate you taking a few minutes to share this information. Thank you for helping us continue to improve the care and service we provide.
Looking Ahead Together
As we close out another productive week, I'm filled with gratitude for the professionalism, resilience, and heart that each of you brings to this important work. The challenges we face in serving vulnerable populations are real and complex, yet your unwavering commitment to our mission gives me confidence that we will continue to make meaningful differences in people's lives.
The updates we've shared this week—from historic federal funding victories to program innovations to individual acts of excellence—all reflect a common thread: our organization succeeds because of the people who show up every day with dedication and purpose. You are not just implementing programs; you are changing lives, supporting families, and strengthening communities.
As you move into the weekend, please take time to recharge and care for yourselves. The work we do requires not just professional expertise but also emotional resilience, and sustainable impact requires sustainable practices. Thank you for everything you do, for the populations we serve, for each other, and for our shared mission.
I look forward to connecting with you again next week with more updates, more celebrations of your achievements, and continued partnership in this meaningful work we do together.
Thanks, PHS crew, for powering through another awesome week—you're the real MVPs! Super Bowl LX hype is real: Seahawks vs. Patriots this Sunday at Levi's Stadium—Bad Bunny halftime, epic vibes incoming! Let's match that energy next week.
You've got the winning formula—keep shining! 🏈🔥
¡Gracias, equipo PHS, por otra semana espectacular—son imparables! ¡Hype total por el Super Bowl LX este domingo: Seahawks vs. Patriots, Levi's Stadium, Bad Bunny en el show! Traigamos esa energía de campeonato la próxima semana.
¡Sigan brillando—victoria tras victoria! 🏈⚡
Saludos,
With gratitude,
Daniella Jaimes-Colina, PhD, MBA, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer
Piedmont's Weekly Update