Don Davis visits Kinston Community Health Center amid government shutdown
As the federal government shutdown stretches into another week, U.S. Rep. Don Davis visited the Kinston Community Health Center on Friday to emphasize the importance of protecting funding for community health centers that serve families across eastern North Carolina.
Davis, who represents North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, said the ongoing shutdown is already causing disruptions in the processing of reimbursements due to federal furloughs.
“In terms of processing reimbursements, there are some delays because of federal furloughs that are interfering with operations,” Davis said. “It’s important to make sure that we shore up the funding mechanism for these centers that are providing essential health care services and needs.”
The congressman met with staff and patients at the Kinston facility, one of several federally qualified health centers across the region that rely on the Community Health Center Fund. That fund, which provides critical federal dollars to support operations and expand access to care, is temporarily being offset, but Davis warned that long-term stability remains uncertain.
“We’re here to send a loud message that we need to extend the Community Health Center Fund,” Davis said. “It’s making a world of difference, especially for families who are struggling and for the uninsured patients we see throughout the East.”
When asked about the state’s newly proposed congressional maps, Davis shifted focus to the everyday struggles facing residents in rural counties.
“Eastern North Carolina families are hurting,” he said. “Costs are high, job growth is slow, and people are trying to figure out how to take care of their kids. Instead of tackling those needs, the response is to redraw maps. People here aren’t talking about congressional lines at the dinner table. They’re talking about how to put food on the table and how to pay for health care.”
Davis said his mission remains unchanged regardless of district boundaries.
“No matter how you draw the map, there are fundamental things core to us — supporting our farmers, our workers, our kids,” he said. “People don’t care if you’re a Democrat or Republican. They care if you’re going to fight for them.”
A native of eastern North Carolina, Davis grew up working on a farm, later serving in the U.S. Air Force before returning home to teach and enter public service. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee and continues to advocate for military families, farmers, and rural health access.
“At the end of the day, I’ll let faith lead the way,” Davis said. “My concern isn’t about a seat — it’s about making sure families in eastern North Carolina are heard and cared for.”
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