RFK Jr says community health centers should be the model for American healthcare

August 17, 2026 - 23:09

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a stop in California's Central Valley on Tuesday to make a case for a major shift in how the country approaches medical care. Speaking at Castle Family Health Services in Atwater, Kennedy said community health centers should serve as the model for American healthcare, adding that the current system has lost its way.

"Forget about Obamacare," Kennedy told the crowd, according to remarks shared by his office. He called community clinics like Castle a "template" for the future, pointing to their focus on local care, preventive services, and direct relationships between doctors and patients. The secretary argued that these centers already do what the broader system struggles to do: keep people healthy without relying on costly hospital visits or complex insurance layers.

Kennedy's comments come as his department pushes for changes to federal health programs, including potential cuts to certain coverage requirements. He did not offer specific policy details during the visit, but he stressed that community health centers deserve more support and less bureaucratic interference. Castle Family Health Services, which serves a largely rural and low-income population, has operated in Atwater for years and offers primary care, dental, and behavioral health services.

The visit drew both supporters and critics. Local officials welcomed the attention on rural healthcare, while some patient advocates worried that dismissing the Affordable Care Act could leave millions without coverage. Kennedy did not address those concerns directly, instead repeating his belief that small, community-based clinics can deliver better outcomes at lower cost. Whether that vision translates into actual federal policy remains unclear, but the secretary made it clear he wants the conversation to start there.