The unifying organization for Community Health Centers (CHCs) in South Carolina is the South Carolina Primary Health Care Association (SCPHCA).  CHCs are time-tested models of community-based care. They represent public and private partnerships working together to improve the health status of their respective communities.  First established in 1964, CHCs are community-based, non-profit organizations that provide comprehensive, high-quality, patient-focused health care services in a culturally appropriate manner.  With a focus on primary care, prevention, education, and case management, CHCs accept most health insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid and for those patients without insurance, services are provided on a sliding fee scale based on the patient’s income and family size.   CHCs receive federal grants through the United States Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) to partially support the cost of providing health care to the nation’s growing uninsured population. 
Community Healthy Centers are one of four types of health centers funded by the federal government under the Consolidated Health Center Program.  Core requirements for all health centers include:

• Governance by a patient majority Board of Directors
• Service in a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) or to a Medically Underserved Population (MUP)
• Provision of services regardless of ability to pay
• Provision of primary, oral, mental health/substance abuse services to patients in all stages of the life cycle
• Board approved sliding fee scale based on patient income and family size
• Compliance with all federal and state regulations

South Carolina has more than 70 areas designated by the Human Resources and Services Association (HRSA) as “medically underserved”.  According to federal guidelines, MUAs have a low physician to population ratio, high infant mortality rate, significant number of residents ages 65 and older, and a relatively poor population.  The SCPHCA was formed in response to the need to provide health care services in these areas across the state.  The SCPHCA was incorporated in 1979 and received 501(c)(3) status in 1985.  The membership of the SCPHCA is comprised of CHCs, community mental health centers, and other organizations and individuals interested in improving the health status of South Carolinians.
South Carolina’s CHCs served as the health care home for 291,699 patients in 2006, providing comprehensive preventive and primary health care services at 134 locations across the state.  The total number of medical visits for South Carolina CHCs in 2006 was 906,207.  During 2006, the state’s community mental health centers served 103,200 clients; 6,797 in a hospital setting and 96,403 in a community based setting.  It is the mission of the SCPHCA to provide a coordinating structure to CHCs in order to ensure access to community based health care services in every community in South Carolina.  To accomplish this, the SCPHCA is constantly in search of the most up-to-date information and how it impacts its membership and affiliates. The SCPHCA administers surveys, conducts research, provides data analysis, and offers opportunities for feedback as a way of keeping abreast of the latest trends and developments in primary care.