On behalf of Cassopolis Family Clinic Network, and the nation’s nearly 1,400 health centers and the 27 million patients they serve, I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for continued federal funding for the community health center program that was included in the bipartisan budget deal passed by Congress recently.

The last few months have been especially challenging, as community health centers across the country faced a potential cut of 70 percent of their operational funding. But hope was not lost, as Michigan’s Senator Debbie Stabenow boldly stood before her colleagues on a weekly basis with a large sign that counted the days it had been since congress allowed the long term funding for Children’s Health Insurance Program and Community Health Centers to expire.

Her leadership and unrelenting support, along with Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), was critical in resolving this funding crisis.

Now, with the uncertainty around funding put to rest, health centers can return to focusing solely on what they do best — caring for their patients and the communities they serve.

Mary Geegan Middleton is the Chief Executive Officer of the Cassopolis Family Clinic Network.