As we conclude Pride Month and reflect on Juneteenth's meaning, we recognize the incredible work you do to reduce health care disparities. As a follow-up, ACH is tracking two new reports that further illustrate the need for meaningful increases in CHC funding to continue advancing our health equity work.
A recent study published in the Journal of Medical Care has revealed disparities in health care utilization among high-need Medicaid beneficiaries at HRSA-funded health centers compared to other settings. Patients at these health centers had fewer visits to high-cost specialty care, emergency rooms, and hospitals, yet they accessed equal or greater primary care services. This indicates that health centers may reduce health care costs for this population by providing more cost-effective care. Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office projectsthat the uninsured rate could increase to 8.9% by 2034, influenced by increased immigration and decreased Medicaid eligibility for individuals aged 19 to 34.
ACH continues to advocate for long-term, increased, and sustainable funding and anticipate the next opportunity to reauthorize the Community Health Center Fund at a higher level, and for a longer period, will be after the November elections.
Please feel free to connect with meto share your thoughts. I would love to brainstorm ways that ACH can support your work.
Warmly,
Amanda Pears Kelly
The Latest from DC
An Update from our Policy & Government Affairs Team
The 340B fight and reauthorization of the CHC Fund will likely come to fruition in the lame-duck period at the end of the year. In light of the importance of the upcoming elections and the continued need for bipartisan support of health centers, we will be rolling out a Health Center Grassroots Week of Action (August 4-10) with member call-in days and resources to remind our officials of the vital role health centers play in serving the health of the constituents and communities they represent.
ACH is working with the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucuses on Maternal Health and Rural Health Care to hold a congressional briefing on July 24 on access to maternal health care, the important role health centers play, and the fiscal and policy challenges they face.
ACH Continues Advocacy for Value-Based Care at CHCs
ACH's SVP of Policy & Government Affairs Stephanie Krenrich was invited to speak at Health Choice Network's 30th Annual Board Educational Conference on the future of value-based care (VBC) transformation.
ACH members recently met with CMMI leadership to discuss CHC barriers to VBC participation, particularly in ACO arrangements and the lack of savings shared with health centers. The VBC Working Group will continue to weigh in on federal policy changes.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced the Keeping Obstetrics Local Act, aimed at helping hospitals in rural and underserved communities provide obstetrics services in the face of a trend of closures due to financial distress through Medicaid funds. The bill aims to also address workforce shortages and low rates of maternity care reimbursement. ACH is working with Wyden’s team to include FQHCs into the bill.
Representative Raul Ruiz (D-CA) officially agreed to be the lead sponsor of ACH's Developing the Community Health Workforce Act. We anticipate this bill will be introduced in the coming months.
Phase 2: 2024-2025 Community Health Entrepreneur Challenge
ACH is calling for applications for the second round of grant opportunities for the Community Health Entrepreneur Challenge!
Building upon the successes of its first year of implementation, ACH and UnitedHealthCare Community & State are awarding seed funding to two ACH members engaged in applying emerging technologies and data capacity initiatives to their community health centers. The goal is to improve patient health outcomes, increase efficiencies, and achieve long-term savings.
The selected awardees will receive the following:
$100,000 over one year to invest towards innovations in technology and care for patients.
National recognition through ACH and UnitedHealthcare platforms.
Member Benefits: Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU)
ACU is hosting its 2024 Annual Conference from August 4-7 in Washington, DC, where hundreds of healthcare clinicians, administrators, advocates, and public health leaders interested in expanding access to care and improving healthcare delivery for medically underserved populations will unite. ACH members receive nearly 20% off registration, but that's not all!
Check out the interview with ACU's Director of Communications, Membership, and Special Initiatives, Rick Brown, to learn more about the benefits of your dual membership with ACH and ACU.
The city of Kansas City, Missouri is awarding Swope Health $5 million for the construction of a new campus - the first purpose-built community, addressing health and well-being, reducing health and socioeconomic disparities.
The site will be a 12-acre multi-phased campus called Swope Health Village. The Swope Health Village will turn the 5900 block of Swope Parkway into a modern residential campus offering housing, supportive healthcare services, mental health services, geriatric and aging services, community gardens and a community center.
Morris Heights Health Center in New York has been awarded $8 million by Governor Kathy Hochul to expand services through a new Health and Wellness Integrative Center. Read more
Mariposa Community Health Center in Arizona was awarded $4 million through HHS's Rural MOMS Program which aims to enhance and expand access to maternal and obstetric care in rural areas. Read more
The Administration and SAMHSA have announced another$31.4 million in notices of funding opportunitiesaimed at improving behavioral health for racial and ethnic minorities and other underserved populations, providing training and technical assistance to programs serving these populations, and integrating primary and behavioral health care.
The funding addresses mental health, substance use disorder, and the disproportionate impact of HIV on racial and ethnic minorities. More information
A recent study examined FQHCs’ mechanisms and frequency for screening patients’ self-reported social risk factors. Recent studies show that 70% of US FQHCs collect social risk factor data; however, there are no national studies of positive social risk factor screening rates at FQHCs.Read more
Clinica Family Health, an FQHC in Colorado, and Mental Health Partners recently merged to sustainably deliver comprehensive care to the community. The merger will provide “increased opportunities to realize diversification of revenue, strengthen combined assets, and position the organization towards the future evolution of the health care system." Read more
Advocates for Community Health, 1575 I St. NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005
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