UPCOMING TRAINING
& EVENTS
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February 19
February 20
February 26
February 26-27
March 11
March 17-18
March 18
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Health centers may utilize the TPCA Exclusion and Debarment Service to screen employ- ees, contractors, vendors, directors, and volunteers. This service helps health centers save valu-able resources and achieve operational excellence.
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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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Health Center Patient Survey
(From HRSA)
-- Your health center may be contacted by the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) to assist with recruiting patients to participate in the Health Center Patient Survey. Conducted approximately every five years, the survey provides robust feedback about how health centers are providing access to primary and preventive health care to patients with diverse situations and needs. Survey results come from voluntary, one-on-one interviews held in-person with patients, and are nationally representative of the Health Center Program patient population.
Questions about the survey may be directed to the Health Center Program Support online by clicking
here
.
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340B Recertification Due by February 24
(From HRSA)
-- Less than two weeks are left for covered entities to recertify and retain their 340B participant status. Covered entities that do not recertify by the deadline of Monday, February 24, will be terminated from the
HRSA 340B Program
starting on Wednesday, April 1. They will require a new registration and not be eligible to participate in the 340B Program until July.
To recertify, Authorizing Officials and Primary Contacts must first set up user accounts by visiting the
HRSA 340B Office of Pharmacy Affairs Information System (340B OPAIS)
and choosing “I am a participant.” It is the covered entity’s responsibility to ensure they have created their accounts before recertification to allow successful completion of the process. For questions or assistance,
email the 340B call center
or call 888-340-2787 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (Eastern).
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State Legislative Session
The Tennessee legislative session is well under way, and TPCA is preparing for our annual
Hill Day
on Wednesday, February 26.
All bills in the House and Senate have been filed; TPCA continues to monitor legislation and will speak with elected officials about health center priorities during Hill Day. Health centers are encouraged to join TPCA’s bi-weekly policy update calls to hear details about legislative proposals, regulatory issues, and other policy topics. Contact emily.waitt@tnpca.org if you would like to join the calls.
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State Budget Update
Safety Net Funding
: On February 3, Governor Lee released his proposed FY 2021 budget, which included a $6.5 million increase in recurring funding for the Health Care Safety Net. This addition brings total recurring Safety Net funding to $16.9 million, the highest amount ever proposed. The budget also includes $1 million in recurring funds for Project Access, to connect uninsured patients to primary care safety net clinics. TPCA has expressed thanks to Governor Lee and his administration for the investments in the Safety Net and his support for the work of community health centers.
TennCare
: Governor Lee’s proposed budget also includes funding to expand TennCare coverage for pregnant and postpartum women. The budget contains more than $6 million for a three-year pilot project to expand postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months, and more than $2 million to provide a limited dental benefit to pregnant and postpartum women. TPCA expressed thanks to Governor Lee and his administration for these coverage expansions and the benefits they will have for health center patients.
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Federal Funding
We are less than four months away from the May 22, 2020, deadline when mandatory health center funding will expire. Health centers received a five-month extension of funding for the Community Health Center Fund, National Health Service Corps, and Teaching Health Centers Program in the
year-end spending package
that was passed on December 20, 2019. The spending bill also included $1.6 billion in discretionary funding through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2020. Congress continues to work toward an agreement on surprise billing legislation that could offset the cost of a long-term extension of health center funding.
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2020 NACHC Policy & Issues Forum
(From NACHC)
-- Registration is open for NACHC’s 2020 Policy & Issues Forum, which will take place from March 16-19 in Washington. D.C.
Click here
to register. This year’s conference theme is, “America’s Health Centers -- Sustainability for 2020 and Beyond.” The four-day schedule of events includes cutting-edge topics, interactive trainings, and compelling speakers to advance health center professionals into a future of both opportunity and challenge. Health center advocates will also descend on the halls of Congress to fight for long-term and stable funding in the new decade. If you are attending P&I and want to participate in TPCA’s events, including Capitol Hill visits, please
register here
.
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Public Charge Rule Takes Effect
On January 27, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a nationwide injunction on the Department of Homeland Security’s public charge rule, allowing it to take effect on February 24. The rule expands the categories of public benefits under consideration when determining if an individual is a public charge, or primarily dependent on the government for subsistence. The expanded categories of public benefits include Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and several housing programs.
Public charge determinations could be used to deny individuals legal entry into the U.S. or lawful permanent resident status (green card status), and may also impact some individuals seeking to extend or adjust their status as a temporary foreign national (for example: students, visitors, temporary workers and trainees).
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2020 Census
The 2020 Census kicked off in Alaska last month. Official invitations to respond to the 2020 Census will begin arriving in mid-March and by Census Day on April 1, every home will have received an invitation to respond to the Census.
Data from the Census are used to help guide billions of dollars in federal funding for health care programs, including the Health Centers Program, Medicaid, Medicare Part B, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
For more information on the 2020 Census, visit the Census Bureau’s
website
. If you are interested in displaying health care specific posters to promote participation in the Census in your health center, please send an email to emily.waitt@tnpca.org.
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Lifespan Health Designated a Gold Level Advocacy Center of Excellence
Congratulations to
Lifespan Health
, the first Tennessee health center to be designated a Gold level Advocacy Center of Excellence by NACHC!
An Advocacy Center of Excellence, or ACE, is a health center that creates a culture of advocacy to ensure that policy makers at all levels of government commit to investing in the affordable, equitable, and innovative care which health centers provide. The Advocacy Center of Excellence program supports and recognizes health centers that achieve engagement measures and make advocacy an organizational priority.
Contact emily.waitt@tnpca.org if you want to learn more about the ACE program.
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Health Centers in the News
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Behavioral Health Lunch & Learn Webinar Series
TPCA will host several behavioral health lunch-and-learn webinars this spring. Sessions will cover various aspects of billing and coding; SBIRT; and opioids and addictions in rural areas.
For dates, detailed information, and to register,
click here
.
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2020 Centering Implementation Awards
(From CHI)
-- In 2018, the Centering Healthcare Institute (CHI) launched a plan to expand access to the Centering model of group health care in communities where group care can have the greatest impact. This initiative offers free implementation support and facilitation training to eligible clinical practices -- primarily in community health centers. These awards address the financial barrier to starting Centering facing many practices in resource-limited communities. CHI is awarding these services to up to 50 practices on a rolling basis in 2020.
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Feedback Wanted: NCQA Public Comment on HEDIS Measures
(From NCQA)
-- The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) invites the public to comment on
proposed changes to the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®)
. There are new measures, changes to existing measures, and exclusions that apply across various HEDIS measures. This is an opportunity for health plans, purchasers, consumers and other stakeholders to weigh in on the relevance, scientific soundness and feasibility of new and revised measures.
Reviewers are asked to
submit comments
by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern) on Friday, March 13.
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Now Open! 2020 Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program
(From HRSA)
-- The
Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program
supports registered nurses (RNs), advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and nurse faculty by paying up to 85% of their unpaid nursing education debt. In exchange, participants serve for at least two years at a health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses, or an eligible school of nursing in the case of nurse faculty. Before you apply, learn about application details including eligibility and service requirements in the
2020 Application and Program Guidance
.
A technical assistance call will be held on Thursday, February 27; participants should prepare for the session by reading the Application and Program Guidance.
February 27, 4-5 p.m. (Eastern)
Dial in: 1-888-455-2923
Pass code: 7642165
Applications will be accepted through Thursday, March 12.
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OMH Promotes Active Lifestyles and Heart Health During Black History Month 2020
(From HHS)
-- February is Black History Month, offering our nation the opportunity to once again recognize the enormous contributions and rich heritage of African Americans. As we celebrate the achievements of so many, the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) is joining partners to support healthier communities by promoting the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle and better heart health.
OMH is partnering with the
NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle in order to overcome cardiovascular health disparities in the African American community. Visit the
OMH Black History Month webpage
to learn more about activities and events, and to download shareable graphics and other related materials. Please also join OMH for the #LoveYourHeartChat Twitter chat on Wednesday, February 19, at 2 p.m. (Eastern).
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PARTNER-SPONSORED EDUCATION & TRAINING
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Grants 101 Workshop
(From HRSA)
-- HRSA's Office of Regional Operations will host Grants 101 webinars for anyone interested in learning about HRSA grants. These will highlight how to find HRSA funding opportunities and understand the HRSA grant application process. They will also provide resources to assist with applications.
HRSA Grant Programs TA
Tuesday, February 18
3-4 p.m. (Eastern)
HRSA Grant Programs TA: Creating a Competitive Grant Proposal
Wednesday, February 19
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Eastern)
HRSA Grants 101
Thursday, February 27
2-3 p.m. (Eastern)
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NCCRT Webinar March 5
(From NCCRT)
-- The National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable will host a live webcast on Thursday, March 5, at 2 p.m. (Eastern) featuring Dr. Richard Wender, NCCRT Chair and Chief Cancer Control Officer of the American Cancer Society, and other special guests, to mark the second year of the
80% in Every Community
campaign. Participants will look back on shared successes, hear the latest state of the field updates, and hear from the winners of the 2020
80% in Every Community
National Achievement Awards.
This webcast is open to NCCRT members, 80% Pledge partners, CDC grantees, ACS staff, and other partners working to increase colorectal cancer screening rates.
Click here
to register.
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HCV Treatment Training Opportunity
The AIDS Education and Training Center Program will host a half-day training entitled "From Diagnosis to Treatment: Building an HCV Toolkit" on February 27, from 1-2 p.m. (Eastern) in LaFollette. The training is designed for clinical providers (physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and nurses) who are new to HCV who are new to HCV treatment.
Click here
for more information and to register. To complete a survey on HCV treatment and training needs,
click here
.
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