April 16, 2010 Vol. 4 #13 Michigan Primary Care Association www.mpca.net 517.381.8000 Visit Our Blog Visit us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Upcoming MPCA Events MPCA Health Policy Committee Conference Call April 19, 3 pm MPCA Board Meeting April 20, 1 pm MPCA Office Lansing, MI Annual Health Center Board Member Workshop May 14-15 Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Conference Center Mt. Pleasant, MI   Click here to learn about more MPCA events. Upcoming State & National Events Click here for a list of upcoming events to be held by other organizations in Michigan and across the country.     The MPCA e-Update is a weekly e-bulletin intended to keep MPCA members updated on issues important to Community Health Centers. Please feel free to forward this to interested individuals, or they may request to be added to the distribution list by registering here. Information from outside organizations does not represent an endorsement by MPCA, and opinions expressed by outside authors are not necessarily official positions or policies of MPCA.

STATE NEWS   Michigan Legislature Returns to Lansing to Tackle FY 2011 Budget The State Legislature returned to Lansing this week for regular sessions following a two-week spring recess.  Top on the priority list was the fiscal year 2011 budget, which is projected to be $1.6 billion in the red.  Just before the recess, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed its version of the Michigan Department of Community Health budget.  The House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is now beginning work on developing its FY 2011 budget proposal for the department.    MPCA Joins Other Civic Organizations in Finding Solutions to State Budget Crisis A Better Michigan Future is a coalition of 40 organizations that is telling the truth about the state's fiscal crisis and offering real solutions in its Comeback Plan that will help Michigan's families during the greatest recession in our lifetime.  By joining together with so many other civic organizations that represent the interests of millions of Michigan families, Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) is taking a leadership role in finding solutions to the state's budget crisis.   Changes Proposed to the Individual Insurance Market in Michigan After nearly two years of debate, the policy chairs of the Michigan House and Senate Health Policy Committees, Senator Tom George and Representative Mark Corriveau, recently released similar versions of four bills (Senate Bills 1242-1245 and House Bills 6034-6037) that would change the individual insurance market in Michigan.   MPCA Hosting Upcoming Trainings: Annual Health Center Board Member Workshop:  Michigan Community Health Center board members won't want to miss the free, educational workshop with session topics ranging from board basics, to advocacy, to social networking, to health reform and more.  May 14-15, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Conference Center (a smokefree facility), Mt. Pleasant, MI Building Cultural Competency Skills in Community Health Centers:  This intensive, skills-building session spotlights the concepts of cultural competency and the art of incorporating guidelines into practice with a broad client population.  June 2, Ramada Inn, Lansing, MI Developing Effective FQHC Programs and Applications:  This two-and-a-half day intensive workshop of the National Association of Community Health Centers will provide an overview of the FQHC program and the benefits of becoming one.  It is designed for organizations and communities considering starting an FQHC, interested in FQHC 'Look-Alike' designation, applying for Section 330 Funding as a new grantee or for continuation funding. June 23, MGM Grand Detroit, Detroit, MI MPCA's CHIPRA Outreach & Enrollment Initiative in Full Swing MPCA is enrolling children in MIChild and HealthyKids as part of our CHIPRA Outreach and Enrollment Initiative at community events across the state everyday.  Community Outreach Specialists are dedicated to reaching families with uninsured children, getting them covered and linking them with Community Health Centers for care. You can check the calendar of enrollment events for upcoming opportunities in your community or contact staff for more information. If your Health Center would like to participate in an upcoming enrollment opportunity by promoting your services or sharing promotional materials with the public please contact the Outreach Specialist listed for that event on the calendar.   Michigan Recognized for High Immunization Coverage Levels Michigan is going to receive an award for high immunization coverage levels at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Immunization Conference on April 20.  2008 National Immunization Survey (NIS) data was used to determine the awards.  The 2008 NIS survey shows Michigan as first in DTaP #4; second in Birth Dose HepB; second in 4:3:1:0:3:1; and second in 4:3:1:0:3:1:4.    Meijer Dispensing Free Generic Medicine to Treat Type 2 Diabetes Meijer has added Metformin to its list of medications that it will dispense free of charge with a prescription.  Metformin is the most commonly-prescribed generic medication to treat Type 2 diabetes.  Since fall 2006, Meijer has filled 5 million free antibiotic prescriptions and another 500,000 for prenatal vitamins.   Has Your Health Center Completed the Emergency Preparedness Survey? Don't miss your opportunity to complete the MPCA Migrant/Community Health Center Emergency Preparedness survey.  Participation in the survey will provide Health Centers with a written report on strengths and gaps in preparedness.   To date, 63 surveys have been completed and $122,000 has been awarded for mitigation purposes.  The submission closing date is April 30.  Please contact Lynda Meade with questions at lmeade@mpca.net     NATIONAL NEWS   Last Day to Mail Back Census Form Today, April 16, is the last day to mail back your 2010 Census from.  Make sure you are counted - if 100% households mail back their forms taxpayers would save $1.5 billion.  As of April 15, the national participate rate was 67%, and Michigan's participate rate was 72%.  A report by the Brookings Institution analyzes the allocation of federal funds to states, the largest 100 metropolitan areas, and the 200 largest counties based on census-related data.   HRSA Issues Program Assistance Letter Regarding Enhancement to Support Health Center Program Requirements Monitoring PAL 2010-01 provides policy and program guidance regarding the HRSA/BPHC Progressive Action process, which has been developed to support the review and monitoring of Health Center Program requirements and support Health Centers in their efforts to achieve Health Center Program objectives.   National Infant Immunization Week April 24-May 1 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has resources for planning and promoting National Infant Immunization Week events.   Asthma and COPD Inhalers Containing Ozone-depleting CFC to be Phased Out The FDA announced this week that seven metered-dose inhalers used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will be gradually removed from the U.S. marketplace because they contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).  Click here for a list of the affected products and their phase-out schedule, and for recommendations for using alterative treatments currently available.   Are You Posting NHSC Part-time Vacancies? National Health Service Corps (NHSC) site administrators are encouraged to post half-time vacancies (no less than 20 hours/week) with RTSC at 1.877.313.1823.  Clinicians will be eligible to apply for a part-time vacancy in the next few weeks.    Have You Started Planning for National Health Center Week? This year's National Health Center Week will be celebrated August 8-14 around the theme, "Celebrating America's Health Centers: Turning Vision into Reality."  It's not too early to start planning your event, whether it is a health fair, ribbon cutting ceremony, open house, or opportunity for your elected officials to tour your facilities.  The goal is for 100% of Michigan Community Health Centers to participate - if you need help planning your event, please contact Dana Hughes at dhughes@mpca.net.           HEALTH CENTERS IN THE NEWS   Community Health Centers Eagerly Await Funding from Reform Law Community Health Centers are eagerly awaiting the increased funding as more people have come to rely on their services during the economic recession.  (Kaiser Health News, 4/9/10)   Eaton County Plans Dental Clinic Eaton County government and a northern Michigan non-profit expect to use business principles to bring quality dental services to low-income Eaton County residents.  A ground breaking ceremony is planned for April 21 at the Eaton County government complex in Charlotte for a dental clinic expected to open in the fall.  "Many, many, many people in our community cannot afford to see a private dentist," said Colette Scrimger, Deputy Health Officer for the Barry-Eaton District Health Department, which will contract with Michigan Community Dental Clinics (MCDC) to operate the clinic.  (Lansing State Journal, 4/9/10)   Community Health Centers to Reap Millions Southeast Michigan safety net providers are expected to receive millions of dollars beginning in 2011 to expand federally qualified health centers and community clinics. (Crain's Detroit Business, 4/11/10)   Dr. H. Jack Geiger Discusses Community Health Centers Dr. H. Jack Geiger says, "I think community health centers have the potential now to become the backbone of a national primary care network.'' (The Boston Globe, 4/12/10)   Do you have news or testimonials from patients, board members, or staff to share?  Please e-mail information to dhughes@mpca.net.     H1N1 & SEASONAL INFLUENZA   Communicating Good Science under the Cloud of Doubt The Virtual Immunization Communication Network is putting on a national webinar with Dr. Paul Offit, "Communicating Good Science under the Cloud of Doubt," Wednesday, April 28, 2-3 pm.  He will speak on current issues around parent and public concerns about vaccine safety and discuss how health professionals can effectively communicate scientific information to help the public distinguish between bad and good science.     REPORTS & RESOURCES    Health Reform Resources: Families USA Health Reform Central Summary of Medicaid and CHIP Provisions in Health Reform Trust for America's Health   Kaiser Family Foundation's Health Reform Web Site George Washington University Summary of Key Provisions New RWJF Consumer-Orientated Smoking Cessation Tools This Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded initiative is aimed at helping increase smoker awareness of smoking cessation options.  According to the CDC, 70% of the 43.4 million smokers in the U.S. say they want to quit, but most smokers who try to quit don't use proven treatments that could double or trip their chance at successfully quitting tobacco.   Patients Can Get Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy Pfizer is offering a free month (28 days) of Chantix to first-time users, including insured and uninsured patients.  Current users can get $30 off a refill.   AHRQ Releases 2009 Health Care Quality, Disparity Reports The 2009 National Healthcare Disparities Report and its companion National Healthcare Quality Report released this week by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality demonstrate why passing health reform was so critical.    Measles Advisory and Poster This new resource from California reminds health care providers to keep an eye out for measles.   A Better Michigan Future Loophole-of-the Week A Better Michigan Future shined the spotlight on another outdated and unexplained corporate loophole-of-the-week to pressure the Legislature into passing real budget reforms.  This week's loophole: big corporations get a tax break when they call other countries, a handout that robs Michigan of $18 million a year that could pay for schools, public safety and other services.     FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES   Adolescent Family Life (AFL) Demonstration Projects This announcement seeks proposals from public and private nonprofit entities to develop, implement, and evaluate innovative interventions for pregnant adolescents aged 15-18 and their families, as well as fathers of their children and/or male partners.  (Funder: Office of Public Health and Science  Due:  June 22)   Health Careers Opportunity Program The goal of the program is to assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds in undertaking education to enter a health profession.  (Funder: HRSA  Due: June 1)   Click here for a list of funding opportunities posted on the MPCA web site.     CAREER OPPORTUNITIES   Medical Assistant (Floater), Hamilton Community Health Network, Flint, MI   Click here for a list of CHC career opportunities posted on the MPCA web site.