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The majority of clinic funding comes from public sources such as Medi-Cal, Medicare, Family PACT, Expanded Access to Primary Care, the Child Health and Disability Program, and programs that fund treatment of specific illnesses. These programs often provide low reimbursements or short-term patient care, and some care is not reimbursable at all. Community clinics have obtained federal, state, and private grants and donations in an attempt to fund critical health services. Yet, as the economy falters and the number of uninsured and underinsured increases, community clinics face a growing demand for services. At the same time, changes in the public funding and delivery of primary health care have forced many clinics to operate with fewer and fewer resources. The financial strain on the community clinics grows more serious every year.
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