On Wednesday, April 7th, HHS Secretary, Xavier Becerra, announced all HRSA funded health centers and look-alikes will now be invited to participate in the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program. Health centers will have the opportunity to join the program as soon as they are ready. The announcement brings the total invited health centers to 1,470.

TDH has launched a new online scheduling tool that allows users to book their appointment for COVID-19 vaccination at participating health department sites when they are eligible to do so. Tennesseans can access the system at covid19.tn.gov and select their county to schedule an

appointment. Users will enter their demographic information and will then be able to choose a date and time for their vaccination appointment. Tennesseans who have already registered for a COVID-19 vaccination do not need to re-enter their information in the new system.

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 vaccines, updates, human resources & operations, telehealth, and PPE.

TPCA Members may also access the COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit for the latest in TN COVID-19 Vaccine distribution as well as timely and relevant resources.

Join the TN Department of Health for a weekly open Q&A webinar hour for health care professionals to ask questions about the Tennessee COVID-19 vaccine allocation and distribution plan and COVID-19 vaccines.

TDH provider calls occur every Friday.

For individuals experiencing homelessness, COVID-19 has been especially difficult. The lack of access to care and testing, untreated chronic conditions, like diabetes and hypertension, and a lower rate of vaccination have contributed to the pandemic’s disproportionate effect on transient populations.

Neighborhood Health has teamed up with United Healthcare and Metro Public Health to help address gaps in care for some of the area’s most vulnerable citizens and ensure 100% of persons experiencing homelessness in Nashville receive the vaccine.

Read about how Cherokee Health Systems is recognized as a national model for integrating primary care and behavioral health services under one roof.

Legislation to protect community health centers and other 340B covered entities from discriminatory reimbursement is advancing in the Tennessee General Assembly. TPCA is supporting SB1205/HB1348, sponsored by Senator Briggs and Representative Helton, and SB1617/HB1398, sponsored by Senator Reeves and Representative Helton.

HB1348, the 340B standalone bill, passed the full House last week while its companion bill, SB 1205 passed the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee and will be sent to the full Senate for a vote.

This week, HB1398, the comprehensive PMB reform bill which includes 340B protection language, passed out of the House Insurance Committee and will be considered by the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee. SB1617 will be considered by the Senate Finance Committee.

Governor Lee’s is expected to released his appropriations amendment for the FY 22 budget in the coming days. The amendment will update the Governor’s proposed budget, originally released in February.

TPCA is advocating for increased Health Care Safety Net funding for FY 22 to be included in the appropriations amendment and will be asking health centers to reach out to legislators in support.

Legislation to name Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) as protected entities in state law relative to peer review by Quality Improvement Committees passed the Tennessee General Assembly and was sent to the governor for signature.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released additional resources regarding the Special Enrollment Period for the Federally facilitated Marketplace, which now extends through August 15, 2021. The American Rescue Plan Act also expanded subsidies for Marketplace plans.