One in four Vermonters relies on the 12 Federally Qualified Health Centers around Vermont for primary care. But funding for those centers will lapse at the end of April because Congress has failed to commit to a long-term budget. Now Vermont's congressional delegation and community health centers are joining forces to push for a long-term solution.

It's the fourth month of the federal fiscal year and Congress is already working under its fourth short-term continuing resolution. Congress managed to pass funding for health insurance for kids, but still nothing for community health centers.

"We really have to get behind our legislative body and tell them, 'It is time to roll up your sleeves, stop the continuing resolutions, and let's get to work and have a budget in place,'" said Kevin Kelley, the president and CEO of Community Health Services of Lamoille Valley. CHSLV stands to lose $1.2million of its $18 million budget.

Community Health Centers of Burlington could lose $2.2 million of its $28 million budget. "You may not think that sounds like a lot but it is very painful," said the center's Alison Calderara.

In Burlington, the funding helps low-income patients receive medical and dental care. The practice sees about 28,000 people. It will run out of the federal funds it relies on at the end of April. "We're not typical primary care. We're fully integrated and provide a scope of services that really is unlike any other primary care system."

Vermont's congressional delegation wants to see a budget that carries the federal government through the end of the current fiscal year. They say there is strong, bipartisan support for community health centers. Republicans in the House passed a bill funding them, but Republicans in the Senate won't bring it to the floor.

"It's primary care for everyday Vermonters," said Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vermont. "This is totally unnecessary. Community health centers enjoy broad, bipartisan support."

"We have the votes in the Senate. It is a bipartisan issue. It has been bipartisan for decades," added Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont.

Calderara expects Congress to authorize funds because there are health centers in every congressional district. "To not support community health centers is pulling the rug out from underneath our health care system," she said.

Rep. Welch and Sen. Sanders say they'll be pushing colleagues for the funding -- and a long-term budget.