Member Spotlight
Health Centers Celebrate Juneteeth
with COVID-19 Vaccination Events
Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services Center, Delta Health Center, and Central Miss. Health Services held community-based COVID-19 vaccination events on Saturday, June 19th. Gift cards and other incentives were used to entice residents in the Mississippi Delta and the Jackson Metro area to get a jab. AEH partnered with the Delta Blues Museum, and Central partnered with Central United Methodist Church in the historic Farish Street District and seven other churches.
Aurelia Jones-Taylor, CEO of Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services, waits to start a media interview at the Delta Blues Museum pop-up vaccination event. Her t-shirt promotes getting a vaccine for those hesitant: "Don't Wait, Just Vaccine."
At the Delta Health Center event in Greenville, a drive-up patient, LaKeisha, said she came to get the COVID vaccine because she had personally experienced having the virus.

"Having COVID is a terrible experience. I thank God I made it through it and thank God for the people who provided this vaccination." She added, "I have my little one to think about and my family to think about...you need to consider your safety and your health."
Photo Copyright 2021 Community Health Center Assoc. of Mississippi
to be promoted on the CHCAMS url vaccineplus.me through July.
The Mississippi State Department of Health reports (week ending 6/25/21) that 30% of Mississippi's eligible population is fully vaccinated. It also reported that the highly contagious delta variant and other variants of the COVID-19 virus have been detected through testing surveillance in Mississippi.
First Lady of the United States makes stop in Jackson to promote COVID-19 vaccinations; CHCs, leaders included in events
Dr. Jill Biden visited Jackson State University at a COVID-19 vaccination event provided by Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Services. Biden was in town promoting COVID-19 vaccinations. Dr. Robert Smith, CEO of Central Miss. Medical Services and Dr. Jasmine Chapman, CEO of Jackson Hinds (on right with Dr. Biden) participated in the press event.
National Day of Advocacy Planned for June 30, 2021
Contact your member of Congress to let them know if they #ValueCHCs then #FundCHCs
On Wed. June 30th, please reach out to your Member of Congress to request that any infrastructure bill include $10 billion for major capital projects. Here are links to the recording and slides from NACHC’s June 16 webinar discussing how to make this important request while also showing appreciation for the $7.6 billion that CHCs received from ARPA. Also, a toolkit, graphics, and talking points about this infrastructure request are available at https://www.hcadvocacy.org/infrastructure/

July 8th
1 - 2 p.m. CST
On The Hill
The Biden Administration has released its FY22 budget to Congress. Highlights relevant to CHCs include Mandatory Funding: down $95 million due to budget sequestration; and Discretionary Funding: $50 million increase to support year 3 of the "Ending the HIV Epidemic" initiative. Overall there is a net decrease of $45 million for Health Center funding. Advocacy during this time with members of Congress and their staff is important. While one-time funds for COVID-19 response and recovery have been awarded, CHC advocates should continue to let their voices be heard to ensure equitable and sustainable funding in the coming year.
The Chemistry for Strong Communities
Health Center Week
August 8-14, 2021
Annual Conference Registration Open. Register Today!
chcams.org
Section 1135 Waiver Termination Notice Submitted to HHS
To read the notice, click here.
Magnolia Health Plans Announces
Temporary Medicaid Plan Waivers Expiring for Applicable
COVID-19 Treatment and Telehealth Services on July 15, 2021 
As we continue to address the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to update you on important changes to our Medicaid plans. Last year, we instituted temporary prior authorization waivers for select services to ensure critical care could be quickly delivered to our members during a time of heightened need. On July 15, 2021, these temporary waivers will expire and our members' Medicaid plan benefits will be reinstated for the following services:
COVID-19 Treatment Related Services
  • COVID-19 treatment-related services (those billed with a confirmed ICD-10 diagnosis code)will continue to be eligible for coverage at this time, in accordance with the member's plan benefits.
  • Beginning July 15, 2021, prior authorization will be required for COVID-19 treatment-related services, in accordance with CMS guidance and plan benefits.
 
Telehealth Services
Prior authorization requirements will continue to be waived for COVID-19 testing, screening services, and vaccinations.
We continue to work in close partnership with state, local, and federal authorities to serve and protect our members and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, including ensuring that our providers have relevant and up-to-date information. We value your partnership during these unprecedented times.
This guidance is in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic and may be retired at a future date.
CHCAMS Vaccine Plus Available for CHC Workforce Recruitment
CHCs are invited to upload open position announcements to CHCAMS' recruitment partner website ReEmployedllc.com . This recruiter will send qualified applicants back to your health center for review and assist in follow-up with potential candidates.
CHCAMS Vaccine Plus Display Ads on Billboards
The display ads for the Vaccine Plus campaign focusing on vaccine hesitancy were posted this past week in Gulfport, Jackson, Hattiesburg, Laurel, Greenville, and Senatobia. The call to action is to visit VaccinePlus.me to learn where mobile vaccine events are around the state. While on the site, users will be exposed to basic concepts defining primary care. Links to finding a health center are located on the page. The Kellogg Foundation has supported the initiative to target those who are vaccine-hesitant in African American communities in Biloxi, the Delta, and Jackson. The billboards will be up for 6 weeks.

CHCAMS COVID-19 Clearinghouse
Click here to request access.

For those who missed the live discussions, recordings of the meetings are now available at the CHCAMS COVID-19 Clearinghouse.
CHC Members, please share your vaccination photos on social media with the hashtag #ALLINTogetherMS. Also please share with
the CHCAMS by emailing here.
Next Vaccine Champions Meeting

Thursday, July 1, 2021 at 3:30 p.m.

The group now meets every other week.
Contact Sonja Fuqua for the meeting link.
Combating Pandemic Pounds and Coronavirus Carbs Series on the CHCAMS YouTube channel. New Episodes Posted Monthly. Subscribe here.
To sign up for the Wednesday weekly training newsletter, please contact Desiree Stinson.
Training Highlight:
Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) Treatments

Tuesday, June 29, 2021
2-3 p.m. CDT 
What are monoclonal antibodies? How does the treatment work? Is it available in my community? Who is eligible? Is it free and/or covered by insurance? Where can I get more information?
These are just a few of the questions our presenters will address in helping to educate and raise awareness about monoclonal antibodies and a national initiative to expand and accelerate access for patients with COVID-19 who are at higher risk of severe symptoms or hospitalization.
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