On January 27, 2025, President Trump issued a number of Executive Orders at once suspending. access to inf0 1mation and resources under the auspices of several federal departments. Some departments such as NIH, CDC and HHS oversee the public health and well-being of the citizens of these United States by providing guidance and information to prevent and/or eradicate public health emergencies.

Additionally, divisions under these departments are the direct funder of many programs providing access to direct patient care, education, and nutrition as well as research programs through grants, direct appropriations, and federal matching to state dollars. Agencies included in the delivery of the services are Federally Qualified Health Centers, Departments of Health, and Medicaid Divisions.

On said Monday, January 27, 2025, Mississippi’s 21 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) were locked out of the system which allows them to draw down their approved and appropriated operational funds without being notified. These 21 FQHCs currently provide access to comprehensive primary and secondary care to over 325,000 Mississippians and generate well over one million patient visits annually.

The Executive Order that impacted these organizations is surrounded by vagueness and confusion as it relates to its implementation and legality. A federal judge has issued a “Stay” through Monday, February 3, 2025. The uncertainty of the outcome of the judges’ decision and if/or when the Order or one similar will be reinstated or introduced.

Finally, should this or a similar Order come down, there are FQHCs in the state that would not be able to keep its doors open beyond 2 weeks of its enactment and others that will have to significantly reduce staff, patient access and program elimination.

We implore the Executive and Legislative branches of our federal government to exclude these agencies mentioned in this correspondence from such actions now and in the future.

Terrence M. Shirley, MPH
Chief Executive Officer
Community Health Center Association of Mississippi