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It's all about the success of health center advocacy this week! With three major stories breaking in the past week regarding health centers, the battle was on for the top spot in this week's Washington Update. However, there could only be one winner, so it goes to:
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The House panel that is scheduled to consider the health center reauthorization bill.
After several months of effort and pressure by our grassroots across the country, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will mark up H.R.1343, the Health Centers Renewal Act of 2007. As previously reported in the Washington Update, this measure would authorize significantly increased funding for the nation’s health centers in order to strengthen and expand the program to serve 30 million patients by 2015 – exactly consistent with the health center ACCESS for All America plan. Committee lawmakers are also expected to consider as part of the same package two other bills that NACHC has long supported which would clarify health center medical malpractice coverage in cases of public health emergencies and the treatment of volunteers, respectively. Tremendous thanks goes to every one of the more than 200 Members of Congress that sponsored the health center reauthorization bill! Stay tuned for updates!
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And the silver medal, worth 30 more days of review, goes to: HRSA extends comment period on MUA/HPSA rule.
After considerable Congressional pressure, from both sides of the aisle, and serious advocacy efforts by PCAs and Health Centers, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has extended the comment period on the recently proposed rule, “Designation of Medically Underserved Populations (MUP) and Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA)” until May 29, 2008. A Federal Register notice dated April 21, 2008, officially extends the comment period and offers much-needed clarifications on aspects of the proposed rule. NACHC, along with the PCAs and many health centers, have been working tirelessly to analyze the potential impact of the new rule, with some possibly very harmful outcomes in many states based on initial data. And while the clarifications will certainly lessen the negative impact of the proposal, much more analysis is needed to truly know how it will impact each health center for years to come. Please send any and all analysis of the impact of the rule to both NACHC and your PCA as soon as possible. We have 30 more days…let’s use it wisely.
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And the bronze medal, worth $50 million, goes to: Nation's health centers awarded millions to improve access to care, promote medical homes.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded $50 million in grant funds to 20 states to increase access to primary care services for Medicaid beneficiaries by reducing the improper use of hospital emergency rooms. Several dozen health centers in nearly every state will directly receive grant awards averaging $2 million to establish new health center sites, extend hours of operation, expand awareness at existing centers and improve overall patient care. The grant initiative is the direct result of efforts by NACHC and its Partnership for Medicaid which worked closely with congressional lawmakers, including Representative Nathan Deal (R-GA), to create the program within the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA). NACHC also worked closely with the nation’s health centers and PCAs to prepare and provide guidance on the grant application process. States receiving grant funds under this program are Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and Washington. For information on your state award please visit the CMS website.
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House Committee clears bill to halt Medicaid regulations.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted unanimously (46-0) last week to pass a bill (H.R.5613) to block seven cost-cutting Medicaid regulations until April 1, 2009. The vote came just a day after the Bush administration sent a letter to Committee members threatening to veto the bill. The committee’s top ranking Republican, Representative Joe Barton (R-TX), said he did not think Republicans would vote to sustain the veto threatened by the administration. He was among 20 Republicans who voted to report the bill out of committee. The committee’s Chairman, Representative John Dingell (D-MI), said that the full House had the votes to override a veto, but said that he could not predict what the results would be in the Senate. Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, criticized the House bill, calling instead for a long-term solution to the Medicaid issues instead of the proposed moratoria. The House is expected to vote on H.R.5613 this week. Look for updates in the coming weeks.
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Medicare panel proposals support, reward primary care.
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, or MedPAC as it’s commonly known, turned its attention to primary care at their meeting earlier this month. They discussed recommendations that focused on the need to improve Medicare’s payments to primary care providers, suggesting a payment adjustment for primary care services under Medicare’s fee schedule and the creation of a “medical home” pilot program that would help coordinate care for Medicare beneficiaries. These discussions are well timed, as Congress is currently working to put together a Medicare reform bill. Senate Finance Committee leaders have been meeting with Senate leadership on the specifics of a package and intend to bring a bill up for consideration on the Senate floor mid-May. NACHC continues to work with the Committee to address the outdated Medicare payment cap issue in the upcoming bill. Watch for future updates in the Washington Update as the bill begins to take shape in the upcoming weeks. To learn more about NACHC’s efforts click here.
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In the media spotlight:
Another stellar health center provider is being recognized for his excellent work and contributions in the field of dentistry. Caring for thousands of patients in St. Louis, Mo., Dr. Kirk Washington, a dentist at the Central Site of the Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers, has been selected as a recipient of the 2008 Excellence in Health Care Award, presented by the St. Louis American Foundation. Award recipients are nominated by their coworkers and/or patients and selected by a committee of health care professionals. Congratulations to Dr. Washington for this well deserved recognition!
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Voterizing South Dakota.
Setting a high standard, South Dakota health centers recently kicked off coordinated voter registration efforts at all 34 health center sites as part of NACHC’s Community Health Vote 2008 initiative! Highlighted in a recent article in the Argus Leader, health center voter registration efforts received praise from City and County officials who cited the importance of the voices of patients who utilize public services as well as the critical role of access to health care in the upcoming election. Visit Community Health Vote on the NACHC website for more information on how your health center can get involved with voter registration efforts.
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Important news about the 2008 Community Health Institute (CHI) in New Orleans.
In preparation for this year’s highly anticipated CHI, NACHC wants to make it easier for attendees to get a room at the headquarters hotel. This year there are ONLY two ways for attendees to reserve rooms – housing requests must be registered online or faxed directly to the Hilton. The Hilton will not accept telephone calls. To guarantee a sleeping room and to ensure that you receive NACHC's group rate, make your housing reservation online at this reservation link or by faxing the housing form to (704) 973-9790. You can get the form and other important information such as the preliminary agenda, at the CHI website.
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Quote of the Week
“These grants [$50 million to states for primary care access] provide new programs and services to help people get the non-emergency care they need in the most appropriate setting.”
• CMS Acting Administrator Kerry Weems on the release of $50 million for grants to states,
many of which included direct funding for health centers.
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