The DC Primary Care Association (DCPCA) was founded in 1996 to champion health equity and ensure that all District residents have access to comprehensive, high-quality primary care. Since its inception, DCPCA has been a driving force in transforming the District’s health care landscape—from advocating for systemic reforms to supporting the growth and development of community health centers. Our mission is rooted in mobilizing these centers to advocate for the rights of underserved populations and to deliver patient-centered care that addresses the full spectrum of health needs. A pivotal achievement came in 2000, when DCPCA and partners successfully advocated for the redirection of local funds from the failing DC General Hospital to a new health coverage model. This led to the creation of the DC Healthcare Alliance, which now provides coverage to over 23,000 residents, alongside Medicaid coverage for more than 200,000 individuals. DCPCA’s advocacy ensured that these programs were anchored in primary care medical homes, laying the foundation for a more equitable and accessible health system.
In 2004, DCPCA secured a federal grant to support the adoption of the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model across its member health centers. This transformation was further bolstered by $21 million in District funding. Today, all eight of DC’s Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) hold PCMH recognition, reflecting a sustained commitment to team-based, coordinated care. DCPCA continues to provide technical assistance and leverage federal resources to maintain this momentum.
To meet growing demand, DCPCA led a capital expansion initiative that secured $70 million in District funding for 13 primary care projects. By leveraging additional federal stimulus funds, DCPCA helped build or expand 17 community health centers. The number of care delivery sites has grown from 6 to over 40, with annual patient visits increasing from 20,000 to more than 1 million. Today, our member health centers serve 1 in 5 District residents. DCPCA also pioneered health information exchange (HIE) in the District, beginning with investments in electronic medical records in 2006. We established the Capital Partners in Care HIE, connecting FQHCs and other providers to enable integrated, data-driven care. These efforts laid the groundwork for one of the nation’s most robust HIE systems, helping the District secure critical federal technology funding and improve care coordination across the health system. DCPCA is leading the next phase of transformation through the DC Connected Care Network (DC CCN), a clinically integrated network formed with seven community health centers.
DCPCA members include:
