Clewiston and Okeechobee, Florida — February 17–18, 2026
A field representative for Congressman Scott Franklin visited three Florida Community Health Centers Inc. (FCHC) sites in Hendry and Okeechobee counties, meeting frontline staff and discussing the pressures facing rural healthcare providers.
Mr. Tommy Griffin, the Congressman’s field representative, toured FCHC’s Clewiston Center on the 17th February before travelling to Okeechobee the following day to visit the Dr Fred Brown Children’s Center and Lakeshore Medical Center. Over the course of two days, Mr. Griffin spent several hours at each location speaking with clinicians, administrators and board leadership about access to care in underserved communities.
The visit, attended by leading members in Clewiston and Okeechobee, aimed to provide a closer look at the work carried out daily by physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists and support staff serving some of the region’s most vulnerable residents.
A closer look at community-based care
During the tours, Mr. Griffin observed a range of services from primary care for children and adults, dental and including telehealth for behavioural health care integrated into primary care settings. Leaders also highlighted FCHC’s health benefits assistance enrollment program, obstetrics (OB) services provided in communities where options are limited.
In addition to these core services, leaders outlined a proposed initiative to support veterans, a community that often faces unique barriers to healthcare access. The initiative is still in development and would coordinate care that respects veterans’ needs, offering tailored support and connection to both federal benefits and local health resources. FCHC leaders would view this program as a natural extension of their mission to serve underserved populations and a reflection of the diverse needs of their patient base.
Across its 14 centers, FCHC serves more than 50,000 patients annually, with the majority of whom reside in medically underserved areas. Many patients face barriers, including low income, limited transportation, and a shortage of local providers.
In parts of the region, expectant mothers must travel nearly an hour or more to give birth, as local hospitals are not equipped for labour and delivery. This gap has contributed to a shortage of obstetric providers willing to practise in the area, as many prefer to work near hospitals on the coast that offer delivery services. Recruiting and retaining clinicians, including midwives, remains a persistent challenge, particularly as rising living costs drive professionals away from rural communities.
Funding and workforce pressures
In a discussion with FCHC President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Lewis and board member Janet Taylor, the conversation turned to the importance of stable federal funding in sustaining access to cost-effective primary care.
Dr. Wilhelmina Lewis stressed that continued investment is critical to maintaining services for agricultural and rural communities, where provider shortages are acute, and healthcare infrastructure is limited. She noted that the difficulty of keeping clinicians in rural areas mirrors broader economic trends affecting the region and how, without stable funding, it becomes increasingly challenging to recruit and retain the professionals our communities depend on.
Mr. Griffin, himself a citrus farmer, acknowledged parallels between healthcare workforce shortages and labour pressures in agriculture. Both sectors, he observed, are deeply rooted in rural Florida’s challenge in attracting and keeping workers as costs rise and populations shift toward urban areas.
Insight for policymakers
FCHC leaders said they hope the visit will offer a valuable perspective to inform discussions in Washington about healthcare funding and policy.
“Seeing the work firsthand makes a difference,” Dr. Lewis said, describing the opportunity to demonstrate both the dedication of staff and the tangible impact on patients’ lives. “Our goal is to ensure that our patients, many of whom have limited alternatives, continue to have access to high-quality, affordable primary care.”
With more than 50,000 patients relying on its services annually, FCHC plays a central role in the healthcare safety net across Hendry, Okeechobee and surrounding counties.
As federal and state lawmakers consider funding decisions that affect community health centres nationwide, visits such as this offer a ground-level view of how policy translates into patient care and how continued investment can shape the health and stability of rural communities.
For FCHC, the message was clear: protecting access to care in underserved areas requires not only clinical dedication, but sustained partnership between community providers and policymakers.
