January 21, 2011
Vol. 5 #3

Gov. Snyder Delivers State of the State Address
In his first State of the State address delivered Wednesday night, Governor Rick Snyder focused on rebuilding Michigan by setting clear, measurable goals. He identified job creation as his number one priority and discussed the need for improving the delivery of health care in Michigan - namely increasing access to health care, incentivizing preventive medicine, and encouraging medical students to choose general medicine over specialties. Governor Snyder avoided specifics about the state budget as he will present his budget proposal in mid-February.  (Last Friday during the state's Revenue Estimating Conference, economists projected a general fund deficit between $1.5 billion and $2 billion.)  During the address Governor Snyder also rolled out the Michigan Dashboard which will measure the state against benchmarks on a series of statistics from health care to education.  He promised to provide updates in each of his future state of the state addresses on how Michigan is progressing on each measure included in the "dashboard". Click here to watch a replay of the State of the State Address on WKAR-TV which MPCA co-sponsored.

Registration Coming Soon for 2011 MPCA Legislative Forum
MPCA is hosting its annual Legislative Forum on March 8 in Lansing. By attending, you will have the opportunity to meet your newly elected state lawmakers and their staff, nurture relationships with your returning state lawmakers and their staff, and learn about issues impacting your Health Center and the patients you serve. Mark your calendar to attend and watch for registration information coming soon.

U.S. House Votes to Repeal Health Reform
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 245-189 on Wednesday to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Every Republican in Michigan's Congressional delegation voted for repeal and every Democrat in Michigan's Congressional delegation voted against repeal. The House vote doesn't mean, however, that health care reform is null and void.  More

State of the Union Address Scheduled for January 25
President Obama will deliver his State of the Union address on January 25.  It is expected to serve as the introduction to what is expected to be a contentious budget season.

Health Center Planning Grants Application Technical Assistance Call
HRSA will host a pre-applicant technical assistance call on January 24 at 1:30 pm ET for the Health Center Planning Grants opportunity (HRSA-11-021).  Click here for call-in information. Applications are due in Grants.gov by March 18.  Supplemental information is due in HRSA EHB by April 8.

AHRQ to Help Medicaid Providers Receive Meaningful Use Incentives
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has propoosed a two-year project targeting the barriers that Medicaid providers face in meeting meaningful use requirements in order to receive federal incentives. The notice of the program was published in the Federal Register and is available for comments until March 21. Community Health Center providers will be included in focus groups.

Health Centers Encouraged to Participate in NACHC's Salary and Benefits Questionnaire
The deadline for participating in NACHC's 2011 Health Center Salary and Benefits Questionnaire is March 1; however, Health Centers are urged to complete the survey as soon as possible. More

HHS Issues 2011 Poverty Guidelines
HHS published new federal poverty guidelines in the Federal Register on January 20. More 

Nominations Sought for 2011 Geiger Gibson Emerging Leaders Award
This award is designed to highlight the accomplishments of young members of the Health Center and Primary Care Association family who have helped further the mission of providing high-quality, culturally competent health services to underserved populations. The deadline for submitting nominations is February 11. More