November 20, 2009 Vol 3#43
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Michigan Primary Care Association
www.mpca.net
517.381.8000
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Quote of the Week:
“Community Health Centers are going to play a crucial role in the delivery of health care services around the country in the next decade. They are going to play an ever-expanding role.” - Congressman David Obey, Chair of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee after touring Thundermist Health Center in Rhode Island
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Upcoming MPCA Events
MPCA Health Policy Committee Conference Call
November 30, 4-5 pm NEW DATE & TIME
CHC Corporate Compliance Training
December 1-2
Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center
East Lansing, MI
MPCA Executive Committee Conference Call
December 1, 4:30-5:30 pm NEW DATE & TIME
MPCA Budget & Finance Committee Conference Call
December 7, 1 pm
MPCA Human Resources Network Conference Call
December 8, 10 am
MPCA Board Meeting
December 15, 1 pm
MPCA Health Policy Committee Conference Call
December 21, 3 pm
Finance Officers Workshop
(held in conjunction with UDS Training)
January 13, 12-5 pm
Radisson Hotel
Lansing, MI
UDS Training
January 14, 8 am-4 pm
Radisson Hotel
Lansing, MI
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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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Senate Releases Health Reform Bill
On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid flanked by the chamber's Democratic leadership including Michigan’s Senator Debbie Stabenow released the Senate’s health insurance reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (HR 3590). This bill, merged from bills passed by the Senate Health Committee and the Senate Finance Committee, would extend coverage to 31 million people who currently do not have health insurance (94% of eligible Americans), add new benefits to Medicare, and expand Medicaid coverage to everyone making less than 133% of the federal poverty level, among other provisions. If the Senate passes the bill it would have to be reconciled with the House bill that passed two weeks ago, and the two bills have some major differences.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the appointment this week of new HHS regional directors. Cristal Thomas, MPP, has been named regional director of Region V, which includes Michigan.
HHS Secretary Responds to Panel’s New Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued new breast cancer screening recommendations this week that have caused a great deal of worry and confusion and are contrary to the long-standing position of the American Cancer Society. Click here to read HHS Secretary Sebelius’ response.
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STATE NEWS
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Back by popular demand, MPCA is hosting its annual UDS training on January 14 at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing. If you are responsible for gathering and reporting the data elements included in the UDS, as well as managing staff who need to understand the definitions and concepts used, then this training is for you. It will focus on changes to the UDS editing and submission process begun last year with BPHC’s introduction of the Electronic Handbook, including changes to several of the tables and a clear description of the differences between the UDS and BPHC’s new ARRA reporting. In conjunction with the training, MPCA is hosting a Finance Officers Workshop on January 13. Click here for the agenda and registration form.
On behalf of concerned Michigan residents and 38 organizations including Michigan Primary Care Association, the Michigan League for Human Services sent the Michigan Legislature a plea this week to restore optional Medicaid benefits.
Michigan Residents Attend Forum, Discuss State Budget and Tax Reform
Nearly 300 Michigan residents and a panel of seven experts discussed the state budget and the need for tax reform to generate revenue at a forum this week hosted by The Center for Michigan (the organization that has been leading a public effort called "Michigan's Defining Moment".) Click here to access presentations from the forum.
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H1N1 & SEASONAL FLU
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In a health advisory issued November 16, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends a single dose of PPSV for all people 65 years of age and older and for persons 2-64 years of age with certain high-risk conditions.
CDC Updates its H1N1 Web Section
National Influenza Vaccination Week Set for December 6-12
If you are planning an activity during National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) and beyond to encourage influenza vaccination, the CDC would like to hear from you. Click here for an event submission form. Click here for a NIVW media toolkit; free web site buttons, banners, and badges; and resources for health professionals.
In the special “Sid the Science Kid” episode, Sid explores the science behind flu vaccinations and explains how children can prevent the spread of the flu.
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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Detroit Health Center Opens in New Location to Serve More People
As more and more people lose their jobs and subsequently their health insurance in today’s poor economic climate that has hit Michigan especially hard, finding quality health care can be challenging, if not daunting. In an effort to ensure more uninsured, underinsured, and homeless people in the Metro Detroit area have access to the comprehensive health care they need, Advantage Health Centers in partnership with The Cathedral Church of St. Paul opened Waller Health Center at a new site on Warren Avenue in Detroit yesterday.
Click here for more about Community Health Centers in the News.
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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America’s Health Rankings 2009, the longest running annual assessment of the nation’s health on a state-by-state basis sponsored by the United Health Foundation, Partnership for Prevention, and American Public Health Association, shows that 43% of Americans will be obese by 2018 if something isn’t done now. This would cost the health care system $344 billion annually. Health professionals at Community Health Centers are on the ground every day helping individuals and families lead healthier lifestyles. In addition to providing comprehensive, quality primary and preventive health care, they also provide health education, weight loss programs, nutrition counseling, smoking cessation programs, and diabetes education and management.
During NACHC’s 27th Annual State Regional Primary Care Association Conference held this week in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC) released a new, free how-to manual designed to help safety net providers become recognized as Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMH) as recognized by the National Committee for Quality assurance. The PCMH model facilitates coordinated, comprehensive care that emphasizes a strong relationship between the primary care physician, the patient and the patient’s family. Key components of the PCMH include health information technology, care teams, evidence-based medicine, clear and open two-way communication between the care team and the patient, open scheduling, and chronic disease management. “With more than a 40 year track record providing comprehensive community based primary care to high-risk underserved populations, Federally Qualified Health Centers are America's health care homes,” said David M. Stevens, MD, NACHC’s Associate Medical Officer and a member of PCDC’s Medical Home Expert Advisory Panel. “PCDC’s manual enables Health Centers both to achieve recognition and to identify ways to strengthen the care they provide to patients and communities.” Obtaining Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition: A How-To Manual is publicly available on PCDC’s web site.
A free resource from the Diabetes Partners in Action Coalition provides health care providers with up-to-date recommendations on monitoring and treating patients with prediabetes and diabetes. The Prediabetes and Diabetes Treatment Plan Recommendations include screening, diagnostic and therapeutic actions based on accepted guidelines established by the American Diabetes Association’s 2008 Clinic Practice Recommendations. Click here to print a free copy.
With smoking being the leading preventable cause of death, the CDC’s report released last week showing that smoking rates among U.S. adults has dropped just 0.3% between 2004 and 2008 is alarming. In 2008, 46 million Americans (20.6%) were current cigarette smokers, and those hardest hit by the tobacco epidemic are those among vulnerable populations. Data shows that smoking is responsible for more than 443,000 deaths each year and costs the nation $96 billion in health care costs annually.
In case you missed it, MPCA distributed the fall 2009 issue of News & Notes, its quarterly publication distributed electronically to members, partnering organizations, and legislators. Not subscribed to receive the newsletter directly in your e-mail inbox? Click here to sign up.
Materials from MPCA Marketing Network Webinar on Press Releases Available
The MPCA Marketing Network held a webinar this week focused on writing effective press releases.
Streaming Video
Presentation
From a Journalist's Perspective
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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HHS will award a total of $10 million to eligible Indian Health Service (IHS), Tribes and Tribal organizations operating health programs under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, and Urban Indian organizations operating health programs under title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act for outreach to, and enrollment of, Indian children.
Click here for a list of funding opportunities posted on the MPCA web site.
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