As you may recall from my last newsletter, over the past several months, our team at CommonWealth Purchasing Group has been reinforcing a simple but powerful idea: procurement is not just an administrative function; it is a strategic lever. When approached intentionally, procurement can drive operational efficiency, protect margins, and ultimately expand patient access to care.

That message clearly resonated during the recent CHCANYS Finance University sessions held at the end of March. In conversations with CFOs and operational leaders, one theme emerged repeatedly: health centers are under increasing financial and workforce pressure and are seeking practical, sustainable ways to do more with limited resources. Procurement strategy is one of the most immediate and controllable opportunities to create impact.

CPG is ready to help make that happen.

At the same time, we recognize that meaningful progress does not happen in isolation. It happens through strong partnerships. That is why CPG continues to prioritize building and strengthening relationships at both the state and national level, working closely with Primary Care Associations, HCCNs, other national organizations, and trusted vendor partners to ensure our members have access to the tools, insights, and support they need to succeed.

These partnerships allow us to listen more closely, respond more quickly, and bring forward solutions that are aligned with the real-world needs of community health centers.

We continue to work alongside our partners and members to identify opportunities to strengthen contract utilization, streamline purchasing decisions, and uncover savings that can be reinvested directly into patient care. But we also recognize that the next frontier is not just about contracts—it is about innovation.

That is why CPG is intentionally positioning itself as a forerunner in the healthcare AI and technology space. We are actively engaging with vendor partners who are developing tools that can:

  • Improve workplace efficiency and reduce administrative burden
  • Provide better visibility into operations and workforce needs
  • Support smarter, data-informed decision-making
  • Deliver measurable cost savings and operational improvements

 

Our goal is not to chase technology for its own sake. It is to identify practical solutions that help health centers operate more efficiently, protect scarce resources, and strengthen their ability to serve patients and communities.

In the months ahead, you will begin to see more examples of these emerging tools across the CPG Vendor Network. We will continue to evaluate them carefully, pilot them thoughtfully, and introduce them in ways that align with the real-world needs of community health centers.

Strong partnerships. Practical innovation. Strategic procurement.

That is how we will continue to help our members operate more efficiently, conserve resources, and expand access to care.

If you have not recently reviewed your organization’s procurement strategy—or would like support identifying new efficiencies—our team stands ready to assist.  Click the link above to schedule a meeting.  And, if you are not yet a member, please remember it is FREE to join.

Together, we can turn procurement into a strategic advantage.

Warm regards,

Rich Napolitano
Executive Director & Senior Vice President

P.S.  And DON’T forget the CPG Member Portal is coming soon!