Our history

The Community Health Centers of Benton and Linn Counties (CHC) is part of the nationwide Health Center Program. The Health Center Program is a safety net partnership with the federal government, overseen by the Health Resources and Services Administration. This work is directed by Section 330 of the Public Health Services Act.

CHCs are founded on the belief that health care is essential for meaningful participation in society and acknowledge that health impacts all elements of life from education, housing, employment, and overall satisfaction.

Our CHC joined the Health Center movement in 2004 to bring accessible, high-quality, and compassionate care to all, regardless of income, insurance status, or background to those in our communities. We have grown over the last twenty years or so years to have a presence at five clinics, in two counties, with a dozen providers, and expansive care teams.

Rooted in collaboration

We are a public entity, working in close partnership with the Benton County Health Department and in collaboration with Linn County Public Health. While we share common goals to improve the health of our communities, each organization is a distinct entity with unique roles. Together, we strengthen the local safety net and expand access to care for thousands of residents across our counties.

Patient-centered, team-based care

At the CHC, patients are at the center of everything we do. We follow the Patient-Centered Primary Care Home (PCPCH) model, where care is coordinated, comprehensive, and built around each person’s needs. Our teams work together to provide preventive, acute, and chronic care, with a focus on long-term wellness and equity.

An interdisciplinary model

Health is more than medical care. That’s why our approach is interdisciplinary and inclusive:

• Primary Care Providers partner with patients for whole-person health
• Pharmacy services ensure safe, effective, and affordable medications
• Health Navigators help patients connect to resources, understand coverage, and overcome barriers to care
• Support services include interpretation, care coordination, and connections to specialty care
• Community partnerships link patients to food, housing, education, and social supports—because health starts where people live, work, and play

Our commitment

We are proud to be part of the Community Health Center movement—the largest primary care network in the United States, with 1,600 health centers and 17,000 locations across the country, serving nearly 34 million patients in 2025.

We are dedicated to meaningful care and better health for all. Every day, we honor this program and its legacy by listening to our patients, taking guidance from our patient majority board, partnering with our communities, and delivering care that is accessible, affordable, and compassionate.

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