HEALTH POLICY
Mechelle R Sanders, PhD; Kevin Fiscella, MD, MPH
Corresponding Author: Mechelle Sanders, PhD; University of Rochester, Department of Family Medicine Family Medicine Research Programs.
Email: Mechelle_sanders@urmc.rochester.edu
DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2025.250301R1
Keywords: Community Health Workers, Community Medicine, Health Care Financing, Health Care Systems, Medicaid, Patient Navigators, Outcomes Assessment, Policy, Reimbursement Mechanisms, Social Determinants of Health, Workforce
Dates: Submitted: 08-01-2025; Revised: 10-07-2025; Accepted: 10-27-2025
Status: In production.
This commentary examines the implications of the Community Health Worker (CHW) Access Act introduced by Congress. If passed, primary care practices would be able to receive reimbursement for CHW services. CHWs are lay members of the community that help people address the social determinants of health, understand their health and get the healthcare they need, especially in communities where resources are scarce. They have been shown to improve health outcomes, yet many serve in unpaid positions and their services have not been readily reimbursable in the health care system. We highlight the potential of the Bill to facilitate the uptake of CHWs in primary care. This is particularly important at a time when the provision of primary care is scarce. We examine the potential and pitfalls of the Bill and recommend implementation strategies to support the uptake of CHWs into primary care. This commentary aims to inform stakeholders about the Bill’s broader impact on primary care and future CHW sustainability.