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 …
Active and Healthy, National Minority Health Month
Today’s guest blog post is by Erica Harp, Grassroots Advocacy Spring ’19 Intern Each year during the month of April, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and public health advocates join together to bring awareness to the health disparities that continue to persist for those of racial and ethnic minority backgrounds. This …
Thoughts on National Volunteer Week
National Volunteer Week (April 7-13th) has us ruminating about the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges and bring about positive change in the lives of others. It could be said that Community Health Centers sprang into existence thanks to the spirit and energy of dedicated volunteers and activists. More than 50 years ago …
Update on Medicare Rule for Health Centers
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule on the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) last December, bringing significant changes to the program. Named the “Pathways to Success,” the final rule will require Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) participating in the MSSP to take greater financial risks. NACHC’s comments on the proposed rule …
National Rural Health Day & The Providers
With National Rural Health Day upon us, it is fitting that we talk about the providers in rural areas who work hard to deliver care in communities where there is a higher incidence of chronic disease. Nearly half — 44 percent — of Community Health Centers are located in rural areas. In many cases, these …
Notes From The NACHC P & I Federal Update
It was a great day for attendees at today’s NACHC General Session. George Sigounas, Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced a funding opportunity of $200 million for health centers to boost access to high-quality integrated behavioral health services, including prevention or treatment of mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders, including …
NACHC P & I is Underway: Notes From the Field about Hill Day
Leagues of Community Health Center advocates went to Capitol Hill today to press for long-term and stabilized funding, and blow up Twitter with an abundance of posts about their visits. Advocates wore the color blue to identify themselves amid the throngs (a lot of other groups were advocating on the Hill today as well) and …
The 2019 NACHC Policy and Issues Forum Kicks Off Today
We’re just a few hours into the 2019 NACHC Policy and Issues Forum (P&I) and already there’s been a frenzy of activity. Thousands of health center advocates have arrived and there’s a heightened buzz of excitement about making a fresh case to Capitol Hill lawmakers about the value of Community Health Centers. To get the …