By Bethany Hamilton, JD (Deputy Director, State Affairs, NACHC) and Anoosha Hasan (NACHC State Affairs Intern, University of Maryland) The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) rolled out a promising new initiative to address behavioral needs for children through an integrated state delivery and payment model. In a few months, the public will learn how …
$100 Million Telehealth Initiative Unveiled at VA Health Center
High-tech innovation can happen in the unlikeliest places. Take, for instance, Laurel Fork, Virginia, where the Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), visited Tri-Area Community Health Center to unveil a $100 million telehealth initiative. Commissioner Brendan Carr said the Connected Care Pilot Program will support telehealth for low-income Americans across the country, including those living …
Health Center Leader Recognized for Efforts after California Wildfire
Every once in a while we like to shine a light on a health center leader who demonstrates resilience when confronted with a challenge. One such person is Gabriela Bernal-Leroi, Chief Operating Officer for Santa Rosa Community Health (SRCH). In the fall of 2017, a massive wildfire ravaged Northern California, forcing 90,000 people from their …
National HIV Testing Day
National HIV Testing Day is June 27th. On this annual observance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging people to get tested for HIV, know their status, and get into treatment right away if they have HIV. The theme is #DoingItMyWay, a call to action for people to get tested in a …
House Leaders Shift Focus to Health Centers and Primary Care
Shasta Community Health Center CEO Dean Germano shakes hands with U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (TX) before the start of the Health Subcommittee Hearing. As a deadline looms, House legislators have turned their attention towards an extension of critical funding for Community Health Centers, the National Health Service Corps, and Teaching Health Center program. Recently the …
Rural Americans Struggle with Access to Care
Many rural Americans are struggling with access to health care, according to a new poll that National Public Radio has done with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The poll focused on everyday life in rural America, including economic security, but it was the findings on health …
Addressing America’s Maternal Health Crisis
Today’s guest blog post is by NACHC intern Eskedar Girmash. We asked NACHC staff to describe their mothers. Responses included: brave, strong, kind, funny, selfless, young spirited, and loving. Mothers are an integral part of our lives and we’re excited to celebrate them this coming Sunday. Along with the observance of Mother’s Day, we would …
Medicaid Block Grant Plan Gains Momentum in Tennessee
Tennessee legislators have approved legislation to submit a Medicaid block grant plan to the Trump administration. The bill passed last week and now heads to the desk of Governor Bill Lee, who plans to sign it, according to published reports [see Politico story]. The state now has six months to build a formal waiver request …
CMS Unveils New Initiative to Overhaul Primary Care
This post has been updated with new information. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the CMS Primary Cares Initiative, with the goal of improving patient care while managing health care costs. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar described the move as “a historic turning point” in press reports. He …
Black Maternal Health Week: Congress Takes Action
Today’s guest blog post is by Eskedar Girmash, Federal Affairs Spring ’19 Intern U.S. House Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Alma Adams (NC-12) launched the Black Maternal Health Caucus earlier this month to elevate issues of maternal health inequities. Fifty-seven Congressional Members joined the caucus on the first day, including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer …