Dear ACH Members,

The word that comes to mind this month is the word "support." Earlier this month, ACH's Board of Directors convened to discuss the strategic direction of our work. The result was an inspiring 1-1/12 day-long conversation around how ACH can continue to drive impactful policy and advocacy for our members and community health centers as a whole. I am grateful for the wisdom of our board and the continued support ACH receives from them, as well as the support from the 41 members who put their trust in ACH to drive meaningful policy change. We take this charge very seriously. Later this year, we plan to share our updated policy priorities as we enter 2025 with a fresh perspective and a new set of elected officials in the federal government.

I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to you, our members, and the more than 550 national, state, and local organizations, including 40 plus primary care associations and hundreds of community health centers, who signed and supported our most recent Stakeholder Funding Letter. The letter, addressed to Congressional leadership, calls for robust and sustained funding for the Community Health Center Trust Fund for the next three years. This letter marks an increase from the 500 signers we received last year, and we are pleased to see that all 50 U.S. states and territories are represented in our latest letter delivered to Congress. Your advocacy is vital to ensuring that members of Congress understand that flat or minimally increased funding for health centers is not acceptable.

Finally, I want to offer you my continued support and commitment to you and your teams. ACH remains laser-focused on advancing our advocacy priorities to support our members and to advance our collective mission. As ACH begins to shape our 2025 Strategic Plan, please let me know how I can help you directly. I would love to hear from you.

Warmly,

Amanda Pears Kelly

The Latest from D.C.

An Update from our Policy & Government Affairs Team

After a lengthy August recess, Congress returned to Washington last week with less than two weeks to pass a continuing resolution, without which the government will shut down on October 1st. Last night, Republicans axed Speaker Johnson's six-month funding proposal, which included the SAVE Act (a bill requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote). How he decides to move forward remains unclear. The Senate and a bipartisan group in the House are pushing for a three-month continuing resolution (CR), but he may decide to put up a clean six-month CR or propose something else entirely. 

In election news, we are 46 days out from the November general election. As a reminder, ACH has created resources comparing the health care legislative priorities and insights of the nominated Democratic and Republican presidential tickets. This resource is available exclusively for ACH members and can be accessed via our Members-Only Portal. This side-by-side comparison includes policy issues like maternal health, reproductive rights, drug pricing, Medicare, Medicaid, workforce, and more. 

Member Request: How Do You Use 340B Program Savings? We want to hear from you!  Please share your stories with us about how 340B savings are used at your health center to support services, ensure stability, and enhance patient care. Your insights will help strengthen our advocacy efforts, including communications on and off the Hill. 

Read the full Biweekly Policy Update in your Member Portal.

CHC Funding Stakeholder Letter with Over 550 Signers Delivered to Congress

ACH led over 550 health care organizations in urging Congress to reauthorize the Community Health Center Fund (CHCF) in an end-of-year funding package, at a minimum of $5.8 billion per year for at least three years. In a letter delivered to Congressional leaders yesterday, national, state, and local organizations representing all 50 U.S. states and territories outlined the critical need for a robust funding increase for the CHCF, which is set to expire on December 31, 2024.

Statement on HRSA's Letter to J&J on 340B Rebate Model Proposal

ACH issued a statement picked up by national media applauding HRSA's strong and clear statement today that a rebate model is not consistent with the 340B Drug Discount Pricing Program, and that they will take enforcement action against companies that pursue one. The rebate model is especially challenging for community health centers, and we are grateful to the Administration for recognizing this and taking this action.

ACH Hosts CBC Panel on Black Maternal Health

Last week, Advocates for Community Health was proud to join with the Association of Clinicians for the underserved and others to sponsor "Empowering Black Fathers to be Allies for Black Maternal Health," an important panel discussion at the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference.

The discussion included many important ways we can improve Black maternal health outcomes, including federal, state, and local policy changes, breaking down institutional racism in healthcare settings through education, advocacy, and financial implications, as well as the importance of black father's mental, physical, and emotional health being considered as a critical role in their partners' pregnancy, labor, and delivery experience.

Don't Miss 

On the ACH Blog: FQHCs & Cybersecurity Liability Insurance – Essential Protection for Health Centers

As cyber threats continue to rise, it's crucial for FQHCs to prioritize cybersecurity to protect patient data and comply with HIPAA regulations. The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) has developed a comprehensive Tip Sheet detailing how cybersecurity liability insurance can support FQHCs in managing security incidents and reporting breaches. The Tip Sheet covers:

• Incident Response and Breach Determination
• Reporting Breaches and Responding to Investigations
• Key questions to ask your insurance carrier

New Research to Support Continued CHC Advocacy

• A new analysis from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University finds almost half of the nation's 1,400 health centers had negative financial margins in 2023, and early warning signs suggest the great majority will go into the red in 2024 as the cost of operations and service delivery continues to outpace revenue. This report is the first to look at the current and potential shortfalls for health centers as COVID-era protections come to an end. Read the report
• Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts in the U.S., a new report from the March of Dimes further demonstrates that the maternal health crisis multifactorial and that over 35% of counties in the U.S. are considered maternity care deserts, which affects 1 in 12 women across the U.S. Read the report

Members-Only Webinar: Behavioral Health Opportunities & Challenges for FQHCs and CCBHCs

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET for our exclusive webinar. Featuring insights from experts at SAMHSA and Swope Health, this session will cover funding mechanisms, service integration, and strategic partnerships. Learn the realities of CCBHCs, including pros and cons, and discover how to strengthen your organization's behavioral health services. 

Membership News

New Value-Based Care Resources Available

Our latest VBC resources are now available in your Members-Only Portal. These tools are designed to help healthcare providers navigate the shift to value-based care, improve patient outcomes, and maximize efficiency. Explore them today to enhance your care delivery!

Save the Date for ACH's 2025 Annual Member Meeting

Welcome to our Newest Corporate Member:

Neenan Archistruction

Members in the News

• Check out the op-ed by ACH Board Member Tory Starr, CEO of Open Door Community Health Centers, on the critical maternity care crisis. His insights shed light on the maternity crisis California and calls on federal and state lawmakers to work together to find a solution. Read more
• Tampa Family Health Centers Announces the grand opening of their new state-of-the-art Tampa Family Infusion Center. Read more

At Family Medical Centers, Makayla Hudson, Regional Director of Optometry, shows off vision equipment provided through a $25,000 Vision Services Grant with the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved, funded with the support of the Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare.

At Cherokee Health, Carrie Trawinski shared stories of patients enjoying their time in the garden. For many patients, the ability to pick a flower, make a bouquet, or cook a meal with fresh produce is the highlight of their visit. 

CHC Best Practices Tour Continues at Family Medical Centers

This month, ACH's Director of Grassroots Advocacy and Membership Sami Noble visited Family Medical Centers in Kentucky and Cherokee Health in Tennessee to explore best practices in healthcare delivery. Sami highlighted the critical role of Family Medical centers in central Kentucky, where access to healthcare is limited

“Family Medical Centers serve rural populations across 33 counties, offering essential services like acute care, wellness visits, physicals, and immunizations. Their school-based programs also focus on wellness, early screening, prevention, and intervention,” Sami noted.

In Knoxville, TN, Sami met with Cherokee Health's Dr. Eboni Winford, Director of Research and Health Equity. The East Knox clinic is steeped in history, located on the land of the first African American physician in Knoxville, Dr. Walter Hardy. The clinic continues his legacy, serving the East Knox community and a large refugee population. Dr. Winford’s work, including organizing a ‘Walk With a Doc’ for Juneteenth, exemplifies the clinic’s commitment to community and history.

Best Practices Highlight: At Cherokee Health, doctors provide innovative interdisciplinary care for pregnant women and mothers. This approach effectively reduces postpartum depression and ensures comprehensive care for both mothers and their babies.

A powerful quote we heard was ‘mothers will miss their own appointments due to stress, fatigue, or being overwhelmed; however, they won’t miss their babies’ appointments. By offering mothers support, we’re able to meet mothers where they are, resulting in better, more efficient care.’

Future CHC Best Practices Resources will be released in ACH's Members-Only Portal.

New Funding Opportunities 

We’ve just added new funding opportunities for FQHCs to our Members-Only Portal, including details on the Service Area Competition. 

Application Due Date: October 29, 2024
Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Funding Amount: Total program funding of $270,164,000, with 81 awards expected
Purpose: This funding aims to ensure continuity of care in communities and populations currently served by the Health Center Program. 

For more information, contact Ashley Vigil & Julia Tillman at (301) 594-4300 or via email at BPHCSAC@hrsa.gov. Log in to the member portal to explore this and other funding opportunities that can benefit your organization!