TPCA Update - October 23, 2020

October 23, 2020

TPCA Partners with Vizient for Virtual Lean Training

Over the past 2 months, TPCA has partnered with Vizient to deliver 3, 3-day introductory Lean trainings for Center for Quality in Community Health (CQCH) members. 39 TPCA CQCH members from 9 health centers participated in this training designed for leaders who desire to understand the tools and knowledge necessary to drive Lean Healthcare throughout their entire organization.

Last year, TPCA hosted Vizient’s Belmont University Lean Healthcare Certificate week-long program for CQCH members and it received rave reviews. In 2020, CQCH planned to take this training on the road and have regional Lean training. Due to COVID-19, we were unable to do this as planned and worked with Richard Tucker, Senior Consulting Director at Vizient, to modify the program and curriculum for a virtual space. This 3-day intensive program gave participants an innovative, virtual experience applying Lean Healthcare methodologies and tools in a healthcare environment.

The Center for Quality in Community Health is a network of Community Health Centers and partners that supports a continually evolving health care system by sharing information and expertise to facilitate learning, support quality improvement and develop leadership.

COVID-19 RESOURCES

Tennessee Infrastructure Plan for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

On Wednesday, the Tennessee Department of Health announced the state’s infrastructure plan for distribution of COVID-19 vaccines once they become available. The Plan was developed by the Tennessee Department of Health with the input of a Pandemic Vaccine Planning Stakeholder Group, which has been meeting bi-weekly over the last few months.

TPCA participates on the Stakeholder Group and is named as a participant in the Plan.

Read the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan here>>>

Read the full press release from TDH>>>

Additional Provider Relief Funding

On October 1, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it will make an additional $20 billion in Provider Relief funds available to ‘frontline’ providers, including those that have already received their full amount from the General Distribution. Providers were previously eligible to receive up to 2% of net patient revenues.

Applications are due on November 6.

Review the press release from HHS here >>>

Learn more about how to apply here >>>

BKD & NACHC Town Hall on HHS Provider Relief Fund Requirements

If you were unable to attend the BKD/NACHC Town Hall meeting for CHC leaders on Friday, October 9th on the HHS Provider Relief Fund Requirements, a link to the recorded webinar is available here.

New NACHC Finance Office Hours for Health Centers:

Strategies for Managing COVID-19

Wednesdays this fall from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET

NACHC and partners at BKD, LLP have joined forces again to provide to provide timely information and resources to support health centers through this challenging time. Topics will change weekly to address real-time challenges based on health centers input and feedback.

Registration is free – sign up for one or more sessions today!

November 18 | Session 2 - Register here!
December 16 | Session 3 - Save the Date

Submit questions in advance to trainings@nachc.org.

COVID-19 Resources Page

TPCA created a COVID-19 Resources page that contains information and tools for health centers and the general public on a variety of COVID-19 related topics including TPCA’s COVID-19 Updates, human resources & operations, telehealth, and PPE.

POLICY UPDATE

Federal Updates

Access to 340B Medications at Risk

The 340B Drug Pricing Program is a critical program for health center patients, ensuring that they can obtain medications at affordable prices. Recently, several threats to the program have emerged that endanger the intended purpose of the 340B program and health centers’ ability to provide care to their patients. NACHC, Primary Care Associations, and community health centers across the country are talking with Members of Congress and HRSA, urging action to stop these damaging provisions from going into effect.

NACHC 340B Lawsuit

On Wednesday, NACHC filed a lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to compel HHS to implement a dispute resolution process for the 340B program that would allow health centers to take action against drug manufacturers for halting the shipment of 340B priced drugs to contract pharmacies.

Read NACHC’s press release here >>>

Read NACHC’s lawsuit here >>>

TPCA Engagement on 340B

TPCA recently sent a letter to Tennessee's Attorney General outlining 340B developments and requesting that Attorney General Slatery collaborate with the Connecticut Attorney General, who is working with AGs across the country to address actions from drug manufacturers.

TPCA is in the process of submitting comments to the proposed rule to implement President Trump’s Executive Order on Insulin and EpiPens.

TPCA will also be submitting suggested improvements to the 340B program in response to a public information request from Senator Alexander and Congressman Walden.

COVID-19 Legislation

The White House and Congress remain at odds over another round of COVID-19 relief legislation even as negotiations between Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi continued this week. An agreement is expected to reach roughly $2 trillion, a significantly higher cost than the Senate signals it would pass. On Wednesday, the Senate failed to pass a $500 billion COVID-19 response bill, which would have contained additional funding for unemployment, schools, and investments in COVID-19 testing and vaccine development. If an agreement is not reached by the end of this week, it is unlikely that additional COVID-19 legislation will be passed before the November 3 election.

Civic Engagement - Get out the Vote

With less than two weeks until election day, NACHC is partnering with VotER to create resources for community health centers interested in civic engagement and voter registration including a guide on Voter Registration Best Practices and Legal Q’s and A’s.

TPCA MEMBER NEWS

Mountain People's Health Councils Inc. Opens New Pediatrics and Dental Clinic

Last week, Mountain People's Health Councils Inc. celebrated the grand opening of their new Pediatrics and Dental clinic in Oneida!

View more photos from the event here>>>

ADDITIONAL NEWS & RESOURCES

New Toolkit to Help Health Centers Start and Sustain an MLP

The National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership published a new toolkit that provides the health center community with information and resources to start, strengthen, and sustain a medical-legal partnership (MLP).

Download the toolkit here>>>

Diabetes in Special & Vulnerable Populations: A National Learning Series

To continue the national conversation around diabetes and health centers, 14 National Training and Technical Assistance Partners (NTTAPs) are collaborating on a national learning series to engage health centers, PCAs, and Health Center Controlled Networks. This will be a deep dive on topics related to team-based care, patient health literacy, and community engagement to address diabetes in the context of COVID-19.

Diabetes Continuum of Care: Increase Patient Technology and Digital Health Literacy

Diabetes Continuum of Care: Raising the Pillars for Community Engagement

Diabetes Continuum of Care: Building Successful Teams During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Resource for Handling Requests for Reasonable Accommodation Required Under the ADA

Presentation provided by Baker Donelson

and shared by Irwin Venick, Venick Austin & Rosen, PLLC

View the presentation here>>>

Share your news!

We want to help spread the word about what's going on at Tennessee's health centers.

Please send your news to update@tnpca.org.

This publication is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,830,669, with 15 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.