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In
Memoriam - Remembering Joan Sivley
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Joan C. Sivley, who was instrumental in the formation of the Tennessee Primary Care Network and the Tennessee Managed Care Network, passed away on July 18, 2020.
TPCA asked Irwin Venick and Kathy Wood-Dobbins to share their memories of Joan with us. We hope you will take moment to read their contributions and honor the memory of Joan's lifelong advocacy for health and mental healthcare.
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Joan Sivley’s leadership in health and mental health services helped to shape a better system of care for Tennessee. She was a central figure in the formation of the TPCA which was among the first state primary care associations in the US.
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As it has been throughout its existence, TPCA had the right person for the right time. Joan was a quietly strategic leader. At a time when community health centers and nurse practitioners were viewed with a wary eye, Joan was able to calm the storm and provide a path towards legitimacy.
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The Tennessee Community Cares Program
Governor Lee announced $150 million in grants to Tennessee non-profits through the Tennessee Community CARES Program. These grants will be awarded to nonprofits providing coronavirus-related services surrounding education needs, economic support and various types of support for community members and vulnerable populations. Nonprofits may also be eligible for reimbursement for expenses related to the pandemic, including increased payroll costs and personal protective equipment expenses.
Grant application instructions will be released on August 1, 2020.
Federal Support for TennCare and CoverKids Providers
If you are a provider who participates in TennCare and/or CoverKids, you may be eligible to receive funds from the federal government through the Provider Relief Fund to help support you and the care you are providing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act passed by the U.S. Congress allotted $15 billion dollars to be distributed to support providers who participate in state Medicaid and CHIP programs.
The deadline to apply for this funding has been extended to August 3, 2020. Please note: to be eligible, providers must not have received any payments from Provider Relief Fund General Distribution to Medicare providers.
The WITH Foundation and the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry seek to address the challenges primary care providers experience in serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities during pandemic or emergency situations.
The deadline for submissions is September 3, 2020.
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Additional COVID-19 Resources
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COVID-19 Update Call
TPCA held a COVID-19 update call on Friday, July 24, 2020 with Dr. Fiscus from the Tennessee Department of Health to discuss the state response and COVID-19 testing.
Below are the links to the recording and resources mentioned during the call.
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.
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COVID-19 Legislation
On Monday, Senate leadership released a $1 trillion COVID-19 relief package, The Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools (HEALS) Act. The HEALS Act contains $7.6 billion in emergency supplemental funding for community health centers and extends Medicare telehealth policies for health centers and rural health clinics for 5 years after the public health emergency ends. Negotiations will now begin between the Senate and the House, which released its own COVID-19 relief bill in mid-May.
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Executive Order on 340B
On Friday, July 24, the Trump administration issues an Executive Order that conditions 330 grant funds for federally qualified health centers on the requirement they provide EpiPens and insulin to low-income patients, and potentially others, at the prices health centers pay for the products in the 340B program.
Read NACHC’s full statement on the Executive Order here. TPCA is working closely with our federal and state partners to advocate for the preservation of the 340B program.
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National Health Center Week: August 9-15, 2020
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National Health Center Week will be held from August 9-15 with the theme, Community Health Centers: Lighting the Way for Healthier Communities Today and in the Future. View NACHC's list of ideas for modified or virtual events. If you already know you are hosting a National Health Center Week event, please
submit your event to the NACHC, and please email details of the event to
emily.waitt@tnpca.org.
During NHCW, health centers across the state will be meeting with members of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation to share information about their COVID-19 responses and advocate for a long-term extension for the Community Health Center Fund, which is currently set to expire in November 2020.
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Memphis Street Renamed to Honor Willeen W. Hastings
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A part of a Memphis street was renamed to honor Willeen W. Hastings, retiring CEO of
Memphis Health Center, one of Memphis's first health centers. A section of Fourth Street will be renamed Willeen W. Hastings Place.
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Congratulations to Chota Community Health Services!
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Congratulations to
Chota Community Health Services
who was recently recognized with several 2020 Readers' Choice Awards, voted on by readers of the Advocate & Democrat!
CCHS received First Place honors for Best Physician's office, Best Customer Service, Most Community Involved, Friendliest Business, Best Non-Profit and Best Annual Event: Health Fair.
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Memphis Business Journal
features
Shayla Williamson, Christ Community Health Services
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Tradeoffs podcast features
Cherokee Health Systems
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With our mental health care system stigmatized and stretched thin, could primary care meet the country’s rising mental health needs? The Tradeoffs podcast from July 28th looks at how a health center in the
Cherokee Health Systems is providing integrated care to its patients.
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2020 TPCA Annual Conference
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CommonWealth Purchasing Group
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CommonWealth Purchasing Group's (CPG) vendor WB Mason is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by taking immediate orders on personal protective equipment (PPE). Through CPG's partnership, CPG members with WB Mason accounts will receive pricing details and access to critical COVID-19 related products.
WB Mason’s offerings include but are not limited to, masks and gowns, health and wellness products, barriers, and signage. With new products being regularly added, WB Mason has the health and safety supplies you need for a safe return to work.
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ADDITIONAL NEWS & RESOURCES
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FCC Designates '988' as 3-Digit Number for National Suicide Prevention Hotline
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The Federal Communications Commission adopted rules to establish 988 as the new, nationwide, 3-digit phone number for Americans in crisis to connect with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors. The rules require all phone service providers to direct all 988 calls to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by July 16, 2022. The new rules will apply to all telecommunications carriers as well as all interconnected and one-way Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers.
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Share your news!
We want to help spread the word about what's going on at Tennessee's health centers.
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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
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