March 4, 2011 | Vol. 5 #9

STATE NEWS

Medicaid Director Briefs House Subcommittee
Steve Fitton, Director of the Medicaid Program at the Michigan Department of Community Health, briefed the House Appropriations subcommittee this week on the Governor's proposed FY 2012 budget for the Medicaid program. He explained that the Governor has not recommended cuts to eligibility, rates or services because such cuts lead to more uncompensated costs to the health care system overall. Mr. Fitton stated that these costs build in as much as $1,000 to each family for a commercial insurance policy. These increases lead to more businesses and individuals dropping insurance, which leads to more uncompensated care as a result and the vicious cycle continues. In his presentation he stated that from 2003 to 2009 uncompensated charges at Michigan hospitals increased by 108% from $1.4 to $2.9 billion. A few changes to Medicaid that are being proposed include: 1) a reduction of 40% in payment for Graduate Medical Education (a projected $22.8 million savings in the General Fund); 2) adding behavioral drugs to the preferred drug list (a projected $6.3 million savings to GF); and 3) requiring children with special health care needs to enroll in managed care plans (a projected $3.7 million savings to GF). Mr. Fitton also pointed out that protecting Medicaid from major cuts is totally dependent upon the Michigan Legislature's acceptance of the entire package of revenue proposals included in the Governor's budget. If any of these, such as the tax on pensions which would generate $900,000 in revenue, are not passed it is unlikely that significant cuts to Medicaid could be avoided.

Want to Help Fight Childhood Obesity?
Join MPCA for a free webinar on March 10 at 1-2 pm to learn about a simple group program that can help you reach out to children in your community with BMI over 85% who are ready to make changes in their current lifestyle. Register

Registration Open for Second MPCA Workforce Webinar
The second webinar in a 10-part workforce webinar series hosted by the MPCA HR Network will be held March 16 at 10 am. Deb Collier, Director of the Michigan Health Council will discuss Recruit for Success: Tips, Tools, and Trends. Register  

MPCA Coding Webinar Series Kicks Off March 15
This three-part webinar series (March 15, 22, 29) offers a comprehensive understanding of coding and how CHC reimbursement can be affected. Register

Opportunity to Learn from Health Centers Who are PCMH Recognized
MidWest Clinicians' Network (MWCN) is hosting a teleconference on March 29 at 12:30 pm ET during which two Health Centers will share their experience of becoming recognized as a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH).  They will provide guidance on what surveyors are looking for and suggestions on how to demonstrate compliance, reports, rosters, and more. More

Capital Area RHIO Goes Live
A "Go Live" celebration was held February 15 in East Lansing to launch the Capital Area Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO), a functioning, secure, electronic Health Information Exchange (HIE) that connects hospitals, laboratories, radiology centers, and physicians. It is the only community-wide collaborative HIE in Michigan that allows two-way exchange of information. More 

Importance of Tdap Vaccination Communicated to Michigan OB/GYN Practices
Last week the Michigan Department of Community Health distributed letters to OB/GYN practices in Michigan, including Community Health Centers, encouraging the Tdap vaccination of new parents, grandparents, siblings and those who will be in contact with vulnerable infants. It also encourages providers to review their current Tdap vaccination policy and implement a campaign to ensure all staff members are fully immunized. Updated recommendations for use of Tdap vaccine from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices are available at www.cdc.gov/vaccines.

2011 HIT Innovation & Leadership Award Nominations Sought
The Michigan Health Information (HIT) Commission is seeking nominations for the 2011 HIT Innovation & Leadership Awards to promote groundbreaking use of technology in the Michigan health care system. The awards will be announced and presented at the Wiring Michigan Conference to be held in Ypsilanti on May 18-19. Click here for eligibility criteria and a nomination form. Nominations are due to Beth Nagel at nagelb@michigan.gov by March 28.
 

Congress Approves Two-Week Spending Bill, Negotiations for Long-Term Bill Happening NOW
After Congress approved a two-week Continuing Resolution (CR) this week that funds the government at reduced levels through March 18, President Obama signed it into law Wednesday night. The House and Senate still need to come to agreement on a final long-term funding bill for the remainder of FY 2011. Negotiations are taking place NOW. While the House of Representatives passed a bill (HR 1) last month that includes a $1.3 billion funding cut to the Health Centers program, the Senate has not yet considered HR 1 or drafted its own spending bill. Both chambers must pass the exact same spending bill for FY 2011. The final bill will likely determine Health Center funding for the rest of the year. Please contact your U.S. Senators and Representative (even if you've contacted them on this issue already) and urge them to OPPOSE cuts to the Health Centers program and keep Health Center discretionary funding whole at $2.19 billion -- click here to take action and learn other ways you can send clear messages about what cuts to Health Center funding would mean to your Health Center and community. 

New Medicaid Prevention Grants Allow States to Pay Incentives to Enrollees Who Adopt Healthy Behaviors
HHS announced last week a new $100 million program allowing states to offer incentives to Medicaid enrollees who adopt healthy behaviors. The program focuses on behaviors that can cause some of the most critical chronic conditions. More 
     

Family Health Center Opens New Site in Kalamazoo (MPCA)
Family Health Center, one of Michigan's 32 Community Health Centers, recently opened a new site in Kalamazoo to expand services and increase access to dental and behavioral health care in the community. More 

CHASS Breaks Ground for New Destination for Health and Wellness in Detroit (MPCA)
On Friday, March 4, Community Health & Social Services (CHASS) Center will break ground for its new Southwest Center and administrative headquarters at 5635 W. Fort Street in Detroit. More  

REPORTS & RESOURCES    

The career opportunities listed below were posted on the MPCA website this week. Click here for additional career opportunities in Michigan Community Health Centers. Or, subscribe to the MPCA career opportunities RSS feed -- click here.

• Medical Director, American Indian Health & Family Services, Detroit, MI
• Full-time Family Practice Physician, Center for Family Health, Jackson, MI
• Full-time OB/GYN, Center for Family Health, Jackson, MI
• Part-time Nurse Practitioners, Center for Family Health, Jackson, MI
• Pharmacist, Center for Family Health, Jackson, MI
• Psychiatrist/MD, Bay Mills Health Center, Brimley, MI
• Internal Medicine Physician, Cherry Street Health Services, Grand Rapids MI