RACINE, Wis. — Racine County will gain a second Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in January 2026, expanding affordable health care access for residents across the county.
Racine Community Health Center Inc. (RCHC) and Outreach Community Health Centers (OCHC) announced the facility on Friday. The clinic will be located at 3805 Spring St. on the Ascension All Saints Hospital campus and will offer comprehensive services, including women’s health, behavioral health, dental care and preventive care. Care will be available regardless of a patient’s insurance status or ability to pay.
Pillar Health, which opened an FQHC site inside Julian Thomas Elementary in July 2025, is the first FQHC in the city of Racine. The new Spring Street clinic will be the second FQHC serving Racine County when it opens in January 2026.
Federally Qualified Health Center addresses need
Local officials and health leaders say the center responds to long-standing needs in Racine County, where behavioral health, substance misuse, and access to care consistently rank among the top concerns.
“This new health center reflects our deep commitment to health equity and the belief that everyone deserves access to quality care, close to home,” said Julia Harris-Robinson, president and CEO of OCHC.
Alderman Grace Allen called the facility a chance to remove barriers to care.
“By breaking down barriers and bringing care closer to where people live, we’ll build a stronger, healthier Racine,” she said.
Support for vulnerable populations
OCHC, which has a long history serving Milwaukee, is the only Federally Qualified Health Center in southeast Wisconsin with a designation to serve people experiencing homelessness. The Racine Center will extend that work.
“The Ascension campus location offers a vital connection point for those who are housing insecure or facing behavioral health challenges,” said Hope Otto, Racine County Human Services director. “This designation closes a longstanding gap by bringing federally recognized, trauma-informed primary care directly to people who too often fall through the cracks.”
Partnerships at the core
The new facility will operate in accordance with federal requirements, serving all patients, offering a sliding fee scale for the uninsured and underinsured, and adhering to the guidance of a community-led board.
“By working together to open this FQHC, we’re helping expand access to preventive care, mental health services and chronic disease management — the very areas where our community needs it most,” said Kristin McManmon, president of Ascension All Saints.
The RCHC board will continue in an advisory role, focusing on advocacy and coordination within Racine County.
“Together we’re building a healthier, stronger Racine by having more access points for health care and addressing health-related social needs through creative collaborations that only FQHCs can provide,” said Dr. Janice Litza, RCHC board president.
Looking ahead
Federal data indicate that FQHCs serve over 30 million people nationwide annually. Health officials say Racine’s new clinic will help close gaps in local care and strengthen the county’s public health infrastructure for years to come.
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