Cempa Community Care and Metropolitan Ministries are partnering to open a new walk-in clinic at MetMin’s Impact Hub, located at 4001 Rossville Boulevard, on May 2.

Learn more here >>>

Congressman John Rose recently visited Mountain People's Health Councils, Inc. (MPHC) and met with MPHC CEO James Lovett, Oneida Mayor Jack Lay, and MPHC Board President Rick Keeton.

View the photos here >>>

During the state legislative session, TPCA is hosting Days on the Hill for community health centers to meet with legislators and advocate for health center priorities. Over the past two weeks, representatives from the following community health centers visited the capitol to advocate for health center priorities such as behavioral health and Safety Net funding:

With Hardeman County Community Health Center: Marlita White, CEO and Linda Lovelace, CFO 

With Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center: Evelyn Wilson, PCMH Quality Improvement Manger and Shatiqua Jamerson, Administration and Programs Coordinator

TN General Assembly Updates

The Tennessee General Assembly is on track to adjourn by the end of this week after the House and Senate passed the $56.2B state budget for FY24.

Response to Covenant School Shooting

On Wednesday, Governor Lee issued a message calling on the General Assembly to pass an "order of protection" law prior to the end of the legislative session. The proposal would allow police to temporarily confiscate guns from people if a court determines they pose a danger to themselves or others. 

View Governor Lee's message >>>

House Expulsion Proceedings

The House voted on April 6 to expel Representatives Justin Jones (D-Nashville) and Representative Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) for leading gun control advocates in chants from the House floor during a rally at the end of March. The vote to expel Representative Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) failed by one vote. 

Following expulsion, the Nashville Metro Council unanimously voted to appoint Justin Jones (D-Nashville) to his seat, and he was sworn in on April 10. Shortly after, the Shelby County Commission also voted to send Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) back to his seat and he was sworn in on April 13. Jones and Pearson can each serve in this capacity on an interim basis until a special election, in which both are eligible to run.

Community Health Center Funding Bill Introduced

Last week, Representatives John Joyce (R-PA), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) introduced a bill, the “Strengthening Community Care Act of 2023” to provide level funding for Section 330 and the National Health Service Corps for the next 5 years. 

Representative Harshbarger Speaks About Health Center Workforce

Representative Harshbarger (R-1) serves on the House Energy & Commerce Committee, including the Health Subcommittee, which held a hearing on April 19 entitled Examining Existing Federal Programs to Build a Stronger Health Workforce and Improve Primary Care. During the hearing, the committee discussed community health center funding and workforce programs such as the Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education Program.

View the hearing recording >>>

National Health Service Corps Applications Due by April 25

The application portal is open for National Health Service Corps (NHSC) loan repayment programs. In exchange for serving at a NHSC facility, clinicians providing primary medical, dental, or behavioral health care may qualify for loan repayment up to $50,000 with an NHSC Loan Repayment Program award, up to $75,000 for the NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program, and up to $100,000 for the NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program. 

Tuesday, April 25

Applications are due >>>

Claims Informed Risk Management: Connecting the Dots

The Health Center Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Program invites you to attend a two-part webinar series entitled “Claims Informed Risk Management: Connecting the Dots.” This training has been identified as a satisfactory method of demonstrating compliance with the FTCA annual risk manager training requirement as outlined in the FTCA Deeming Application. The Health Center must ensure proper documentation of participation and completion are maintained.  

Thursday, April 27

2:30 - 4:30 PM Eastern

View the invitation >>>