On February 20, 2026, the Episcopal Health Foundation, together with the Texas Association of Community Health Centers, the Texas Association of Health Plans, and the Texas Association of Community Health Plans, hosted a joint meeting and networking event bringing together representatives from Texas health plans and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). Nearly 100 participants from FQHCs, health plans, statewide associations, and HHSC attended. The purpose of the convening was to create a space for both MCOs and FQHCs to discuss shared challenges, highlight successes, outline priorities, and explore opportunities to strengthen collaboration across their organizations.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) serve as essential safety‑net providers offering comprehensive, high‑quality primary care and mental health services to Texans, including those who are low-income or uninsured. Beyond clinical care, FQHCs support their communities by helping individuals enroll in health coverage, connecting them to resources, addressing food insecurity, and responding to other non‑medical drivers of health. With 79 FQHCs operating more than 700 sites statewide, they play a critical role in expanding access to care and vital services.
Health plans in Texas also carry responsibility for ensuring access to care for their members and have launched various initiatives to address both medical and non‑medical needs. Sixteen Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) administer the state’s Medicaid program, and more than 30 health plans operate in the Medicare, commercial, and Marketplace sectors. Their ability to compete depends heavily on the quality of care and access they deliver, and HHSC both contractually and financially holds Medicaid MCOs accountable for achieving these standards.
Collaboration between MCOs and FQHCs is crucial to improving health outcomes, expanding access, and supporting the shift from volume‑based care to value‑based care. By combining the trust and community reach of FQHCs with the data and operational capabilities of MCOs, these partnerships can strengthen care coordination, preventive care, and efforts to address both medical and non‑medical factors influencing health.