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Community health centers received a short-term fix as part of the continuing resolution passed Thursday to keep the federal government functioning into January.

While the stop gap measure keeps some centers from running out of money immediately, the resolution doesnat solve the long-term problem.

aThis is a Band-Aid,a said Christina Nunnally, chief quality officer for North Mississippi Primary Care, which operates clinics in Ashland, New Albany, Ripley, Walnut, Booneville, Corinth and Tishomingo.

Community health centers receive about 70 percent of their funding through the federal government. 19, the bill includes temporary funding for the Childrenas Health Insurance Program and emergency supplemental funding to support response to hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters.

Mississippias senators have a long record of supporting community health centers and CHIP and say long-term funding for the programs are among their priorities.

aIn Mississippi, community health centers play an important role in delivering health care and support services to our medically underserved and low-income patients,a said Sen.

North Mississippi Primary Care has adequate income from patients with insurance to keep providing services for patients, but the uncertainties around funding could keep the clinics from moving forward on projects to expand Hepatitis C screening and telehealth programs to deliver mental health care.

aWe may have to redirect resources to primary care,a Nunnally said.

aThe new grant year begins in February, and month-to-month funding is potentially very disruptive,a Sumerford said.

aFor Access, it means putting plans for new positions and new sites on hold.