July 2, 2010 Vol. 4 #22 Michigan Primary Care Association www.mpca.net 517.381.8000 Visit Our Blog Visit us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Upcoming MPCA Events   Health Policy Committee Conference Call July 19, 3 pm SOAR Training July 20-21 MPCA Lansing, MI   Executive Committee Conference Call July 20, 3:30 pm   Immunization Face-to-Face Meeting July 22 MPCA Lansing, MI   Membership Committee Conference Call July 22, 10:30 am   2010 MPCA Annual Conference October 10-12 Amway Grand Plaza Grand Rapids, 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    State Budget Update The State of Michigan took a blow this week when the U.S. Senate failed to collect the 60 votes necessary to pass the Extenders Bill, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV) pulled the bill from the floor.  The bill included a 6-month extension of the enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) rate, which was crucial Michigan's budget.  According to Gongwer, the reduction in the FMAP rate will mean that beginning in January, the state will get $65.79 for every $100 it spends, instead of the current enhanced rate of $75.57 for every $100.  That equates to a new $560 million hole in the state budget for fiscal year 2011, which significantly impacts the MDCH budget.  Governor Granholm joined six other governors in Washington, DC, on Wednesday to urge Congress to adopt an extension to the higher FMAP rates.  Meanwhile, the Senate also failed to pass the federal "Jobs Bill" last week, meaning that 87,000 unemployed Michigan residents will lose their unemployment benefits by this Saturday, July 3.  That means thousands more residents will need food stamps, welfare, energy assistance or other public support.  At the State Capitol this week, the Michigan Senate passed the school aid budget this week, sending the bill to the House.  Under the bill, Michigan public schools would get an extra $22 per student over FY 2010.     CBS and CW Airing CHIPRA Program Commercial Click here to watch MPCA's new CHIPRA program commercial that will be airing on CBS and CW in the Detroit area in the coming weeks.  This is an exciting new opportunity to reach the largest group of uninsured kids in the state.     MPCA Enrolling Children in MIChild, HealthyKids This enrollment is part of MPCA's CHIPRA Outreach and Enrollment Initiative that is taking place at community events across the State of Michigan everyday.  Our staff of Community Outreach Specialists is dedicated to reaching families with uninsured children, getting them covered and linking them with Community Health Centers for care from Marquette to Detroit and everywhere in-between.  You can check our calendar of enrollment events for upcoming opportunities in your community or contact our 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 our calendar.  You can find more information on our program here.   MPCA AmeriCorps Member Featured on Michigan's AmeriCorps Blog Click here to read a reflection of service by Beth Leonard, a health advocate at a homeless and domestic violence shelter.     Michigan Ranks 10th for Rate of Obesity According to a new Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Trust for America's Health report, F as in Fat 2010: How the Obesity Crisis Threatens America's Future, Michigan ranks 10th among the other states in the rate of obesity (29.4%).  Overall, the obesity epidemic in the U.S. continues to worsen, with 28 states experiencing an increase in adult obesity rates during the past year.      NATIONAL NEWS     Capitol Hill Briefing:  The Expansion of Health Centers through Health Reform On June 30, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) sponsored a briefing on Capitol Hill regarding a new analysis by faculty of the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services that indicates the expansion of Community Health Centers will make a major contribution towards ensuring there will be improved primary health care access for the newly insured, and that the result will be a lowering of long-term health care costs.  Among the speakers was NACHC's Dan Hawkins, Senior Vice President for Programs & Policy.     CMS Issues Proposed Rule to Expand Medicare Preventive Services and Expand Access to Primary Care The new rule proposes to make two significant improvements to preventive care benefits under Medicare:  Beginning January 1, 2011, Medicare will cover annual wellness visits so that doctors and patients can develop a personalized prevention plan that takes a comprehensive approach to improving the patient's health.  Also beginning January 1, 2011, Medicare beneficiaries will no longer have to pay any out-of-pocket costs for most preventive services - including the annual wellness visit.   HHS Announces New Funding Under Affordable Care Act $96 million in grants to increase diversity in the health professions workforce and encourage nurses to choose careers as nurse educators.  The grants will go to schools to give scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds with financial need, and funds will provide low-interest loans to nurse faculty students.  More information Up to $50 million to help School-Based Health Centers upgrade the equipment they need.  The grants are part of the School-Based Health Center Capital Program, and HRSA expects to award an estimated 1,000 grants in FY 2010 - click here for information about the funding opportunity.  HRSA is hosting a technical assistance call on July 7 at 1:30 pm ET regarding this funding opportunity.  Call 1-888-390-7303, passcode 7777691.  Click here for a copy of the presentation prior to the call. $250 million to support prevention activities and develop the nation's public health infrastructure.  The funding will support federal, state and community prevention initiatives; the integration of primary care services into publicly funded community-based behavioral health settings; obesity prevention and fitness; tobacco cessation; state and local capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks; data collection and analysis; expansion of CDC's public health workforce programs and public health training centers.  More information Affordable Care Act Provides Expanded Tax Benefit to Health Professionals Working in Underserved Areas The IRS announced on June 16 that under the Affordable Care Act, health care professionals who received student loan relief under state programs that reward those who work in underserved communities may qualify for refunds on their 2009 federal income tax returns as well as an annual tax cut going forward.  Click here for more information.     HRSA Releases Program Assistance Letter Regarding FQHC 'Look-Alike' Scope Verification for Implementation of Electronic Information Systems PAL 2010-09 describes how HRSA is enhancing the 'Look-Alike' program by streamlining and simplifying application and data reporting processes through integration into the HRSA Electronic Handbooks.     President Signs 6-Month Fix for Medicare Reimbursements to Doctors The $6.5 billion "Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010" delays a 21% cut in Medicare payments through the end of November while lawmakers work on a more permanent solution.     Connecticut First in Nation to Expand Medicaid Coverage to New Groups Under Health Reform CMS approved Connecticut's state plan amendment last week, making it the first state to permanently add low-income adults to its Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act.  It is estimated that approximately 45,000 adults will become eligible for Medicaid under this health reform expansion.     Bureau of Clinician Recruitment Services Improves NHSC Application Process BCRS has recently improved the NHSC application process, making it simpler and easier for interested clinicians to apply.  Please spread the word to encourage more clinicians to visit www.nhsc.hrsa.gov and check out the program's details and application instructions.  Click here for new materials that were developed to help outline the program's eligibility requirements and the process to apply. (Look under the "Next Steps" section for the pdf documents.)       NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK   MPCA is learning everyday about National Health Center Week events that Michigan Health Centers are planning for August 8-14:     Advantage Health Centers is hosting open houses on August 11 at all three sites.  They will be open to the general public, as well as area businesses and churches.      Alcona Health Center is participating in Project Connect on August 10, a day of connecting community members in need with food, clothes, personal care products, back to school supplies, medical screenings, dental care, and more.      Cassopolis Family Clinic will focus on a different health issue each day of the week:  heart health, oral health, children's health, cancer awareness, and Health Centers.     Center for Family Health will educate the public about Community Health Centers at an information booth at the Jackson County Fair on August 9 and provide free blood pressure checks.     Detroit Community Health Connection is hosting its annual celebration at its E. Jefferson site, providing health screenings, lead testing, and community resource information.     Family Health Center of Battle Creek will educate patients about National Health Center Week on its greeting board located in the front lobby.     Hamilton Community Health Network is giving away backpacks on Public Housing Day (August 10); hosting a legislative luncheon on August 11; designating August 12 as Patient Appreciation Day at all of its sites; and hosting a Community Family Fun Day on August 13, complete with free sports physicals and screenings, food, community resource vendors, music and give-aways.     Health Delivery, Inc. is hosting its annual Health Round Up Fair at its Bayside and Janes Street locations on August 11 and 13.  Sports physicals, dental exams, immunizations, and Headstart exams will be offered.  Backpacks and bikes will be given to local children.     Oakland Primary Health Services is hosting Congressman Gary Peters at its Health Center in Pontiac on August 9, and providing free diabetes and hypertension screening.  Each of the other days of the week will focus on a theme:  women's health, maternal and child health (August 10); HIV, hepatitis C, and substance abuse (August 11); behavioral health, oral health, nutrition and wellness (August 12); and back to school (August 13).  On each day OPHS will provide screenings and health education.     Need help planning your Health Center's event? Got to www.healthcenterweek.org for event planning tools and resources.  And please email your event details to Dana Hughes at dhughes@mpca.net so she can post them on the Health Center Week website.     HEALTH CENTERS IN THE NEWS      Center for Family Health Dental Director a State House Contender Dr. Jane Grover, Dental Director for the Center for Family Health in Jackson, is a Republican contender for the 64th District State House seat that covers the City of Jackson and Parma, and Sandstone, Concord, Spring Arbor, Pulaski, Hanover, Summit and Napoleon Townships.  She will face Jackson County Commissioner Earl Poleski in the Republican primary on August 3.  The winner will take on incumbent Rep. Martin Griffin (D) in the General Election on November 2.      REPORTS & RESOURCES     Michigan Oral Health Plan (MDCH, June 2010)       Assessing the Safety Net State-based case studies explore the costs and adequacy of the safety net access for the uninsured.  Among the case studies is Genesee County (Flint).         Cover Michigan 2010:  The State of Health Care Coverage in Michigan (Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation, 6/21/10) The number of uninsured residents in Michigan has been steadily increasing...notably, in 2005/2006 Michigan had the lowest rate of uninsured children in the nation, but by 2007/2008, its ranking worsened to 6th.     Guide to Data in Your Backyard  (Michigan League for Human Services) Compiles county-level information that includes poverty rates, Kids Count rankings, social assistance caseloads, unemployment, and the latest basic demographic information.      UDS Mapper Tool  (HRSA) Assists in evaluating the geographic reach, penetration and growth of the Health Center program driven primarily from data with the Uniform Data System.  Daily webinars will be offered through July to demonstrate the functionality of this tool.  Click here to register for these webinars.     HHS Health Website for Consumers A federal government website (www.healthcare.gov) that launched July 1 will give consumers a list of all private and government health care plans for individuals and small businesses in their areas.     EHR Incentive Program Website CMS has launched the official website for the Medicare & Medicaid electronic health record incentive programs.  It provides up-to-date information about the EHR incentive programs, which will provide incentive payments to eligible professionals and hospitals as they adopt, implement, upgrade, or demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology.     Increasing Access to Dental Care through Public Private Partnerships: Contracting Between Private Dentists and FQHCs (Children's Dental Health Project)  This handbook for FQHCs is a limited release copy that was reviewed and edited by NACHC's legal counsel.  Please keep in mind the Model Contract included in the Handbook must be tailored to specific circumstances of the Health Centers, including State Medicaid law.     Health Care Reform and Primary Care:  The Growing Importance of the Community Health Center A live webcast featuring H. Jack Geiger, MD, MSC; and Sara Rosenbaum, JD presented by RCHN Community Foundation on July 6, 3 pm ET.     August STD Intensive Course Slots Open, Full Scholarships Available This intensive course overview of STDs hosted by the Cincinnati STD/HIV Prevention Training Center covers the fundamentals of treating, diagnosing and preventing STDs.  To register and/or apply for a scholarship, email Barbara Boylan at Barbara.Boylan@cincinnati-oh.gov.      FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES     Affordable Care Act School-Based Health Centers Capital Program Funder:  HRSA Due:  July 30     Primary Health Care Workforce Grants Funder:  HRSA     Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health for Communities Funder:  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Due:  July 21     Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Projects Funder:  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Due:  July 19     Tribal Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Grant Program Funder:  HHS' Administration for Children and Families     Primary Care Residency Expansion There is a funding priority for programs conducting training in a community-based setting, under which a minimum of six months of the resident training experience must be provided in a Community Health Center or other similar community-based setting. Funder:  HRSA Due:  July 19     Nurse Managed Health Clinics Some Health Centers might be eligible for the Nurse Managed Health Clinics funding available. Funder:  HRSA Due:  July 19     Full Service Community Schools Grants The purpose is to provide comprehensive academic, social, and health services for students, students' family members, and community members that will result in improved educational outcomes for children. Funder:  U.S. Department of Education     FY 10 Support for Pregnant and Parenting Teens and Women Funder:  Office of Public Health and Science Due:  August 2    Click here for a list of funding opportunities posted on the MPCA web site.       CAREER OPPORTUNITIES      Click here for a list of CHC career opportunities posted on the MPCA web site.