We now have a name for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus: COVID-19. The disease, which was first identified in the Wuhan province of China, was renamed by the World Health Organization, to avoid stigmatizing any geographical location, animal or individual with the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that more cases of COVID-19 are likely to be identified in the coming days. There are 19 confirmed cases in the U.S. The CDC says it is probable that person-to-person spread will continue to occur, including in the United States. NACHC is directly communicating with the CDC Coronavirus Response Task Force on a regular basis. To read the full text follow this link to the NACHC Blog.
Press Releases
For Immediate Release:
February 3, 2020
Contact Amy Simmons Farber
301-347-0400
Washington, D. C. – Tonight, six Community Health Center leaders from across the country will have a coveted ticket to history as invited guests to the State of the Union Address (SOTU). The health center leaders will attend as guests of key Members of Congress from California, New Jersey, Michigan, Arizona, and New Hampshire. The health center guests – which includes two clinicians – are ambassadors of a federal health program that spans more than five decades, delivers affordable health care to 29 million people nationwide and saves taxpayer dollars by preventing costly care at hospital emergency rooms and elsewhere.
The SOTU guests are:
 |
Sherry Hirota, Chief Executive Officer, Asian Health Services, Oakland, CA, attending as the guest of U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee. |
 |
Jillian Hudspeth, President and CEO of New Jersey Primary Care Association, as the guest of U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone. “Across the nation, Federally Qualified Health Centers provide affordable and quality health care to the medically underserved populations who need it the most… We must work together to build on the advancements we have made and ensure all New Jerseyans receive the health care they need and deserve,” said Hudspeth in a press release issued by Pallone’s office. |
 |
Elisa Nicholas, MD, Chief Executive Officer and pediatrician, TCC Family Health in Long Beach, CA, attending as the guest of U.S. Rep. Alan Lowenthal. |
 |
Tara Plese, Chief External Affairs Officer, the Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers, attending as a guest of U.S. Rep. Tom O’Halleran. “Congressman O’Halleran recognizes the need for funding to ensure that community health centers can continue to provide quality, preventative and primary health care while responding to changing health care needs in their communities. We are thankful for his tireless support,” said Plese in a press release issued by O’Halleran’s office. |
|
Lara Quiroga, Director of Strategic Initiatives for Children at Amoskeag Health, Manchester, NH, as the guest of U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas. Quiroga started the first ACERT program in Manchester, working in collaboration with the Manchester Police Department and YWCA. The program connects with local child specialists and professionals to intervene and mitigate the impacts of childhood trauma, according to a press release issued by Pappas’ office.
|
 |
Felix M. Valbuena, Jr., MD, Chief Executive Officer, the Community Health and Social Services (CHASS) Center, Detroit, MI, attending as the guest of U.S. Rep Brenda Lawrence. “I would like to thank Congresswoman Lawrence for highlighting the importance of Community Health Centers and thank her for her leadership as a member of the Appropriations Committee,” said Dr. Valbuena, in a press release issued by Lawrence’s office. |
Community Health Centers are urging Congress to pass long-term, stable funding in order to continue providing innovative, comprehensive care without interruption.
###
Established in 1971, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) serves as the national voice for America’s Health Centers and as an advocate for health care access for the medically underserved and uninsured.
Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released its new guidance (“Healthy Adult Opportunity,” SMD 20-001) to allow states to make unprecedented changes to their Medicaid programs through waivers to implement block grants and per capita caps. The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) issued the following statement:
Community Health Centers are the nation’s largest network of safety net primary care providers, serving 29 million patients and one in five Medicaid beneficiaries. Should states choose to pursue Medicaid block grants – specifically designed to cap Medicaid spending – we have serious concerns about the detrimental impact on the patients we serve and other vulnerable populations.
Of particular concern is CMS’ indication that it will consider allowing states to waive longstanding requirements regarding mandatory FQHC Medicaid services and payment. This approach creates the ability for states to significantly alter the way health centers are funded and deliver care. At a time when health centers are among the most cost-effective care providers in the nation, this proposal could remove a core funding pillar that protects health centers’ ability to serve America’s most vulnerable.
There is considerable evidence that transitioning a state’s Medicaid program into a block grant leads to funding cuts, reduced benefits, and ultimately less healthy outcomes for patients. A recent study from the George Washington University noted a block grant proposal would have a significant impact on health centers – this would translate into approximately 5 million fewer patients served in underserved rural and urban areas in 2024.
Finally, the historic alignment between health centers and Medicaid has improved the health care delivery system and generated savings for taxpayers. Health centers’ role in creating a strong health safety net enables our patients to access affordable primary care when and where they need it, preventing more costly treatments in hospitals and elsewhere. Health centers save, on average, $2,371 (or 24 percent) per Medicaid patient.
Health centers have enjoyed bipartisan support for five decades precisely because of their effectiveness at ensuring access to primary health care across the nation. This guidance threatens to reverse these gains. That is why we call on the Administration and any states considering the options set forth in this new guidance to weigh these impacts before taking action.
###
Established in 1971, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) serves as the national voice for America’s Health Centers and as an advocate for health care access for the medically underserved and uninsured.
Contact
Amy Simmons Farber
301-347-0400
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) is the national organization representing the more than 11,000 Community Health Center (CHC) sites across the country. CHCs are patient-centered organizations whose shared mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care to all medically underserved patients, so they can have the opportunity to thrive, contribute to their communities, and reach their full potential. This decision will deter individuals — including those seen at CHCs — from addressing their own health care needs and those of their families, ultimately leading to worse health outcomes, higher costs, and reduced productivity.
###
Established in 1971, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) serves as the national voice for America’s Health Centers and as an advocate for health care access for the medically underserved and uninsured.