November 13, 2009 Vol 3#42
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Upcoming State & National Events
Click here for a list of upcoming events to be held by other organizations in Michigan and across the country.
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Upcoming Health Observances
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The MPCA Communications Update is a weekly e-bulletin intended to keep MPCA members updated on issues important to Community Health Centers. Please feel free to forward this to interested individuals, or they may request to be added to the distribution list by registering here. Information from outside organizations does not represent an endorsement by MPCA, and opinions expressed by outside authors are not necessarily official positions or policies of MPCA.
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NATIONAL NEWS
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U.S. House Passes Historic Health Reform Bill
After hours of debate that culminated in a dramatic 220-215 vote, the U.S. House passed its landmark health reform legislation on November 7 that would provide health insurance for 96% of Americans by 2015.
Health Centers Mentioned in House Floor Debate
During floor debate of the House’s health care reform legislation, several U.S. Representatives praised Health Centers, "naming the expansion of the Health Center program as one of the most critical, and most immediate, reforms to take place” (NACHC Health Centers on the Hill blog). Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-MI) stressed the importance of bringing relief to uninsured individuals and families now, mentioning that the bill’s important increases in Health Center funding will double their number of patients served over the next five years.
Senate Bill Timeline Yet to Be Determined
Now that the House has passed its health care reform bill, all eyes are on the Senate. Its bill is awaiting analysis by the Congressional Budget Office, making the timeline for movement unknown at this time. President Obama and former president Bill Clinton have both publicly urged the Senate to move quickly. “The worst thing to do is do nothing,” said Clinton.
This White House report addresses how health insurance reform will affect the prevention and treatment of diabetes.
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STATE NEWS
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November 16 is the deadline to register for this training hosted by MPCA that will ensure your Health Center maintains compliance with ARRA’s requirements. The presentation specifically designed for Community Health Centers will provide information about the new climate of accountability, transparency and enforcement; elements of effective compliance programs; legal and financial requirements for key Health Center risk areas; and more. Don’t miss out!
In a report released this week by the Pew Center on the States, Michigan was highlighted as one of 10 states whose current troubles will have dramatic consequences for their residents: higher taxes, layoffs and furloughs, longer waits for and elimination of public services, more crowded classrooms, higher college tuition, and less state support for lower income residents.
The once-a-decade population count determines each state's federal funding for social programs and the number of seats they occupy in the U.S. House of Representatives, not to mention public infrastructure projects like highways and schools and the amount of business investment in communities. Nonprofit organizations like Community Health Centers play a critical role in the census by spreading the word to their patients and communities about the importance of completing and submitting the form. In the next few weeks Health Centers and nonprofits across Michigan will be receiving a toolkit packed with resources to get involved and spread the word. Today, you can begin by getting educated on nonprofits’ role in the census and spreading the word on your website and in your publications.
The House Health Policy Committee heard testimony this week on a bill that would revise the criteria under which a retired physician who provides medical care under a special volunteer license has immunity from liability in a lawsuit. “The service of volunteer physicians is essential for Community Health Centers to be able to provide care to the state’s growing number of uninsured and underinsured residents,” said Kim Sibilsky, MPCA Executive Director. “Passage of HB 4829 would encourage more retired doctors to volunteer their time and skill at Community Health Centers, where uninsured patients and those covered by public health insurance total around 80%.”
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H1N1 & SEASONAL FLU
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This document updated November 9 addresses infection control, lab testing and reporting cases, antivirals, and vaccines.
HHS/CDC Letter Encourages Focus on Priority Groups
At present, demand for the H1N1 vaccine in communities still exceeds the supply received from manufacturers. “That means it is more important than ever to focus on ensuring equitable access to the vaccine for the priority groups identified by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices: pregnant women, caretakers of infants younger than 6 months of age, health care workers, children and adults with health conditions such as asthma or diabetes, and people under the age of 25,” wrote Thomas Frieden, MD, MPH, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Flu Information Sheets Available in Multiple Languages
New flu essentials one-pagers are available from Flu.gov in many different languages. They are easy to download, print, and share with patients.
Key Points Regarding H1N1 Influenza
The following excerpt is taken from key points shared by MDCH via FluBytes (11/6). Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) nationally decreased very slightly last week after four consecutive weeks of sharp increases. However, while ILI declined slightly, visits to doctors for ILI remain at much higher levels than what is expected for this time of the year. It’s possible that nationwide ILI could rise again. Michigan is among the 48 states reporting widespread influenza activity at this time. Almost all influenza viruses identified so far continue to be 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses.
Advisory to Clinicians and Healthcare Facilities Regarding Influenza Reporting
MDCH is reminding all clinicians and health care facilities of the need to report to their local health departments within 24 hours any cases meeting the following criteria: hospitalized patients with confirmed/unconfirmed ILI illness; influenza-related deaths; pregnant women with severe ILI; patients with an ILI of an unusual presentation; outbreaks of clusters of ILI in congregate settings.
Continue to check www.michigan.gov/flu, www.CDC.gov/flu, Flu.gov, and www.mpca.net for up-to-date information about the seasonal and H1N1 flu.
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HEALTH CENTERS IN THE NEWS
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NACHC’s Senior VP Dan Hawkins to Receive APHA Award for Excellence
Dan Hawkins, Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Research at the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), was recently honored with the American Public Health Association’s Award for Excellence. This award is given each year to a living individual in recognition of his or her exceptionally meritorious contribution to the improvement of health of people.
Community Health Centers Combating Diabetes
Michigan Community Health Centers are using creative ways to educate patients about diabetes management. Muskegon Family Care of Muskegon Heights, Michigan, for example, produced a video with Trinity Health that is posted on YouTube explaining the importance of a healthy, balanced diet and how to choose nutritious foods. Diabetic case managers at Hackley Community Care Center, also in Muskegon Heights, Michigan, consult with diabetic patients on an ongoing basis and offer a six-week chronic disease class. Hackley Community Care Center most recently participated in a local Annual Diabetes conference by providing health screenings and resources for the community.
Hamilton Community Health Center Participates in Project Homeless Connect
Do you have news or testimonials from patients, board members, or staff to share? Please e-mail information to dhughes@mpca.net. |
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REPORTS & RESOURCES
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Staff of Community Health Centers, primary care safety net clinics, and Primary Care Associations wanting to enhance their leadership skills listen up – enrollment for the 2010 Community Health Center Executive Fellowship is now being accepted. This year-long program is designed to prepare individuals for management positions in Community Health Centers, including executive director and senior management positions.
Report Confirms Community Health Centers Lower Health Care Costs
A new report from Avalere Health, a highly-regarded health care research and economic analysis firm, finds that Community Health Centers reduce utilization and spending for other, costlier types of care, including emergency room and inpatient hospital care.
“Improving Patient-Provider Communication” released by HHS and The Joint Commission supports language access in health organizations and identifies tools that can build effective language access programs.
MWCN Hosting CME Activity: Using a Registry in an EMR World
Are you currently maximizing the use of your registry? Do you plan to get rid of it when you switch to an EMR? Better think again. Registries are invaluable tools in the era of “Patient Centered Medical Home”. And your EMR probably can’t do what your registry can. MidWest Clinician’s Network (MWCN) members can register by e-mailing acampbell@mpca.net with organization name, and names and e-mail addresses of staff planning to participate. A reminder with the presentation and call information will be sent out prior to the call. This call is free to MWCN members. To find out if your organization is a member, go to www.midwestclinicians.org and click on member organizations and then your state. Non-members can attend this session by paying $25 per person who joins the call. Contact acampbell@Mpca.net for the non-member registration form.
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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Funding is available for activities and events to educate and train health professionals on the prevention of heart disease in women.
The purpose of this program is to expand and/or enhance substance abuse treatment and related recovery and reentry services to sentenced juvenile and adult offenders returning to the community from incarceration for criminal/juvenile offenses.
The Commonwealth Fund
The Commonwealth Fund awards grants for projects in three major areas: 1) Improving Insurance Coverage & Access to Care; 2) Improving the Quality of Health Care Services; and 3) International Health Policy Practice.
Click here for a list of funding opportunities posted on the MPCA web site.
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