Print this pageEstablished in 1985, Community Health Services (CHS) began as a medical-only program at the Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS). In 1986, the dental program was added to CHS. In 1989, CHS was transferred from DSHS to the new Department of Health (DOH). In 1991, the migrant program was added to CHS. Finally, in 1993, CHS was transferred from DOH to the Health Care Authority (HCA).
Expanded History
1985
CHS began as a Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS) program that provided funds to community clinics to assist them in providing medical services to low-income patients. DSHS/CHS awards $948,500 in funding to 26 community clinic contractors (more than 60 delivery sites statewide) for the 1986 contract year.
1986
Funding for CHS increased, which allowed program expansion to provide funding for dental (along with medical) services to low-income patients. DSHS/CHS awards $1.9 million in funds to 28 community clinic contractors (more than 60 delivery sites statewide) for the 1987 contract year.
1987
DSHS/CHS awards $1.9 million in funds to 28 community clinic contractors (more than 60 delivery sites statewide) for the 1988 contract year.
1988
DSHS/CHS awards $1.9 million in funds to 28 community clinic contractors (more than 60 delivery sites statewide) for the 1989 contract year.
1989
With the creation of the state Department of Health (DOH), the CHS program was transferred from DSHS to DOH. DOH/CHS awards $2.6 million in funds to 27 community clinic contractors (more than 60 delivery sites statewide) for the 1990 contract year.
1990
DOH/CHS awards $2.6 million in funds to 27 community clinic contractors (more than 60 delivery sites statewide) for the 1991 contract year.
1991
Funding for CHS increased, which allowed program expansion to provide funds for migrant (along with medical and dental) services to low-income patients. DOH/CHS awards $3.6 million in funds to 27 community clinic contractors (more than 60 delivery sites statewide) for the 1992 contract year.
1992
DOH/CHS awards $3.8 million in funds to 27 community clinic contractors (more than 70 delivery sites statewide) for the 1993 contract year.
1993
Legislature transfers CHS from DOH to Health Care Authority (HCA) and increases funding. HCA/CHS awards $4 million in funds to 29 community clinic contractors (more than 70 delivery sites statewide) for the 1994 contract year. On a statewide basis, community clinics that contract with the CHS program provide medical, dental, and migrant services to more than 223,000 patients; CHS funds help provide care for 96,000 of these patients.
1994
HCA/CHS program establishes Chapter 182-20 of the Washington Administration Code (WAC), which allows procedures for determining eligibility and distribution of funds for medical, dental, and migrant services to urban and rural community health clinics. Funding is targeted to assist patients who are at or below 200% of the federal income guidelines and have no other health care coverage such as Medicaid or Basic Health Plan.
HCA/CHS awards $5.1 million in funds to 29 community clinic contractors (more than 80 delivery sites statewide) for the 1995 contract year. On a statewide basis, community clinics that contract with the CHS program provide medical, dental, and migrant services to more than 235,000 patients; CHS funds help provide care for 100,000 of these patients.
1995
HCA/CHS awards $5.9 million in funds to 29 community clinic contractors (more than 80 delivery sites statewide) for the 1996 contract year. On a statewide basis, community clinics that contract with the CHS program provide medical, dental, and migrant services to more than 261,000 patients; CHS funds help provide care for 111,000 of these patients.
1996
HCA/CHS awards $6 million in funds to 30 community clinic contractors (more than 90 delivery sites statewide) for the 1997 contract year. On a statewide basis, community clinics that contract with the CHS program provide medical, dental, and migrant services to more than 282,000 patients; CHS funds help provide care for 102,000 of these patients.
1997
HCA/CHS awards $6 million in funds to 31 community clinic contractors (more than 100 delivery sites statewide) for the 1998 contract year. On a statewide basis, community clinics that contract with the CHS program provide medical, dental, and migrant services to more than 309,000 patients; CHS funds help provide care for 121,000 of these patients.
1998
HCA/CHS awards $6 million in funds to 32 community clinic contractors (more than 100 delivery sites statewide) for the 1999 contract year. On a statewide basis, community clinics that contract with the CHS program provide medical, dental, and migrant services to more than 345,000 patients; CHS funds help provide care for 122,000 of these patients.
1999
HCA/CHS awards $6 million in funds to 34 community clinic contractors (more than 120 delivery sites statewide) for the 2000 contract year. On a statewide basis, community clinics that contract with the CHS program provide medical, dental, and migrant services to more than 400,000 patients; CHS funds help provide care for more than 133,000 of these patients.
2000
HCA/CHS awards $6 million in funds to 30 community clinic contractors (more than 120 delivery sites statewide) for the 2001 contract year. On a statewide basis, community clinics that contract with the CHS program provide medical, dental, and migrant services to more than 450,000 patients; CHS funds help provide care for more than 138,000 of these patients.
2001
HCA/CHS awards $6 million in funds to 29 community clinic contractors (more than 120 delivery sites statewide) for the 2002 contract year. On a statewide basis, community clinics that contract with the CHS program provide medical, dental, and migrant services to more than 458,000 patients; CHS funds help provide care for more than 142,000 of these patients.
2002
HCA/CHS awards $6 million in funds to 29 community clinic contractors (more than 120 delivery sites statewide) for the 2003 contract year.
Legislature increases CHS dental funds by $3 million to expand services to non-citizen immigrant populations. This new program starts in October 2002.
On a statewide basis, community clinics that contract with the CHS program provide medical, dental, and migrant services to more than 525,000 patients; CHS funds help provide care for more than 147,000 of these patients.
2003
HCA adds agency-wide role of coordinating and managing relationships among HCA, the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs, tribes, and tribal entities to the CHS program.
HCA/CHS awards $9 million in funds to 31 community clinic contractors (more than 120 delivery sites statewide) for the 2004 contract year. On a statewide basis, community clinics that contract with the CHS program provide medical, dental, and migrant services to more than 574,000 patients; CHS funds help provide care for more than 180,000 of these patients.
