Federal Update
Keep Up to Date!
Below is a selection of recent health policy and regulatory news and information relevant to health centers and PCAs. For regular updates, subscribe to Capital Link’s blog and access the following links:
NACHC’s Health Centers on the Hill and Policy Shop blogs
The Health Resources and Services Administration’s health center tab
The newsroom at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HHS Funding Annoucements
HHS Awards Over $87 Million for Health Center IT
On September 15, 2016, Health and Human Services (HHS) announced over $87 million in funding for 1,310 health centers across the U.S. The funding will support health information technology enhancements to accelerate health centers’ transition to value-based models of care, improve information sharing efforts, support informed decision making, and increase engagement in delivery system transformation. Read more here.
HHS Awards Health Centers $8.6 Million in Patient-Centered Medical Home Funding
On August 4, 2016, Health and Human Services (HHS) announced more than $8.6 million in funding for 246 health centers nationwide to help to improve the quality and the experience of care through the Patient-Centered Medical Home health care delivery model. Learn more here.
HHS awards $36 million to health centers for HIT
On July 21, 2016, HHS announced more than $36 million to 50 Health Center Controlled Networks nationwide for the adoption of health information technology. Learn more here.
HHS awards $156 million to health centers to expand oral health services
On June 16, 2016, HHS announced nearly $156 million in funding to 420 health centers across the country. This funding will expand health centers’ integrated oral health care services by enabling the hiring of approximately 1,600 new dental staff to treat nearly 785,000 new patients. Learn more here.
HRSA Releases New FQHC Look-Alike Designation Application Instructions
On September 13, 2016, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released new instructions for applying for a Health Center Program Look-Alike initial designation. The updated instructions and application, which allows health centers that do not receive Health Center Program funding to apply to become part of the Program as “look-alikes,” and associated resources are available on HRSA's Look-Alike Technical Assistance webpage.
Secretary Hillary Clinton Announces Plan to Expand the Reach of Community Health Centers
On July 12, 2016, Presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D) proposed a plan to significantly increase and expand mandatory federal funding for community health centers. To learn more about the proposed plan, click here and here.
Senate Appropriations Committee Approves FY2017 LHHS Bill
In June, 2016, both the Senate and House Appropriations Committees approved the first bipartisan Labor, Health, and Human Services (LHHS) Appropriations bill in seven years. Should it become law, it would continue the current Health Centers Program funding level of $5.1 billion in FY17, which includes $100 million in funding for health centers to expand mental health and opioid prevention and treatment services. Of note, both bills contained report language as follows: “The Committee recognizes the need for capital resources at community health centers to meet increased demand and upgrade facilities. The Committee supports administrative changes to the HRSA Loan Guarantee Program designed to improve its efficiency and better align the program with other successful Federal loan guarantees, and to increase utilization of this tool to leverage outside resources to meet health centers’ capital needs.”
Learn more here and here.
