Explanation
BACKGROUND: Since 1974, Columbus Public Health has provided primary health care services to the underserved through contracts with community-based health centers. Since 1998, Columbus Public Health has contracted with Columbus Neighborhood Health Center, Inc. (CNHC), a not-for-profit organization, to provide primary health care services to medically indigent patients at various neighborhood health centers. In 2023 Columbus Public Health expanded services by contracting with additional local designated FQHC's. This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into contracts with the following vendors to provide primary health care and dental services at community-based health centers for a total amount of $3,800,000.00 for the period of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 and authorizes the payment of expenses starting January 1, 2026. The prior expenses include those customarily funded by this annual support given to these vendors that fund these FQHC primary healthcare services. This ordinance complies with City Code 329.30 as all contracts are not-for-profit organizations. Negotiated rates were based on the percentage of population served in Franklin County in 2024. The designated FQHC’s provide primary health services not provided at Columbus Public Health.
Columbus Neighborhood Health Center, Inc. dba PrimaryOne Health Care: $2,514,573.45
Heart of Ohio Family Health Centers: $423,873.77
Lower Lights Christian Health Center, Inc.: $340,151.61
Southeast, Inc.: $231,774.34
The Ohio State University College of Nursing/Total Health & Wellness Community Care, Inc.: $255,923.40
Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio: $33,703.43
Community Health Centers (CHC) are successful, low-cost options for primary care access in a nation that spends $2 trillion a year on health care. Medical costs for CHC patients are 41% lower compared to patients seen elsewhere such as a hospital emergency room. As a result CHC’s save the health care system between $9.9 billion and $17.6 billion a year.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid the loss of these needed services for the community.
FISCAL IMPACT: These contracts are budgeted in the Health Special Revenue Fund. This ordinance is contingent on Ordinance 1040-2026.
Title
To authorize and direct the Board of Health to enter into contracts with the following vendors: Columbus Neighborhood Health Center, Inc. (dba PrimaryOne Health), Heart of Ohio Family Health Centers, Lower Lights Christian Health Center, Inc.; Southeast, Inc.; The Ohio State University College of Nursing; and Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio to provide primary health care and dental services at community-based health centers; to authorize the expenditure of $3,800,000.00 from the Health Special Revenue Fund; to authorize the payment of expenses prior to purchase order execution starting January 1, 2026; and to declare an emergency. ($3,800,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus seeks to ensure primary health care and dental services through various community health centers; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to contract with Columbus Neighborhood Health Center, Inc. (dba PrimaryOne Health), Heart of Ohio Family Health Centers, Lower Lights Christian Health Center, Inc., Southeast, Inc., The Ohio State University College of Nursing and Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio for the management and operations of the community health centers; and,
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the payment of expenses incurred prior to purchase order execution, starting January 1, 2026; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Health Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board of Health to enter into contracts with various community health centers in order to avoid the loss of these needed client services, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized to enter into contracts with the vendors below for the provision of primary health care and dental services through various community health centers from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, for a total amount not to exceed $3,800,000.00; and to authorize payment for expenses incurred prior to purchase order execution.
Columbus Neighborhood Health Center, Inc. dba PrimaryOne Health: $2,514,573.45
Heart of Ohio Family Health Centers: $423,873.77
Lower Lights Christian Health Center, Inc.: $340,151.61
Southeast, Inc.: $231,774.34
The Ohio State University College of Nursing: $255,923.40
Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio: $33,703.43
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contract, the expenditure of $3,800,000.00 is hereby authorized from the Health Special Revenue Fund, Fund No. 2250, Subfund No. 000000, in Object Class 03- Services, per accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.