July 9, 2010 Vol. 4 #23 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 SOAR Training August 17-18 Michigan First Credit Union Lathrup Village, MI   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 Michigan Legislature wrapped up the K-12 School Aid budget on July 1 and sent it to Governor Granholm for her signature.  They then adjourned, most likely until the August 3 primary.  Although the House and Senate conference committees have been announced and they have scheduled session days on July 21 and July 28, there's skepticism about whether they will actually convene.  It appears, therefore, that the FY 2011 budget could be set up for yet another round of partisan brinksmanship right up until the September 30 deadline.  (It is quite obvious legislators have other things on their minds these days.  More than 100 of the 146 state legislators currently serving are running for higher office, local office, or re-election.)  The School Aid budget, where funding for School-Based/School-Linked Health Centers is housed, was passed with the line item at the same level as last year (which was a 25% cut from the year before.)  While it was disappointing that the funding wasn't restored to previous levels, it was a victory that the line item was not cut.  The other good news is that the language in the School Aid budget that gave school districts authority to use up to 10% of discretionary funding (not base funding) for other purposes was deleted in the final version.  This means the funds for SBHCs should be fairly secure.   Sandbox Party Announced Concerned that a key component of Michigan's economic turnaround may be lost amid election-year politics, children's advocates have launched the Sandbox Party for Michigan's Youngest Learners. The nonpartisan, nonpolitical party represents the interests of Michigan's youngest residents, from birth to age 5.  A growing body of research identifies this age group as vital to developing competent citizens and workers.  Sandbox Party supporters include parents, representatives from leading early childhood organizations (including Michigan's Children; Fight Crime: Invest in Kids; Michigan Children's Trust Fund; Michigan League for Human Services; Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children; Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health; Michigan Association of United Way), and other state leaders.  The Sandbox Party will hold a convention at MSU's Breslin Student Events Center on August 26 (1-4 pm), just days before the Michigan Republican and Democratic parties hold their conventions.  It is free and open to all - kids are especially encouraged to attend with their families.  There will be family entertainment, exhibitors, and special appearances by popular Michigan sports, music, and news personalities.  The gubernatorial candidates have been invited to speak and to bring their families.    Mark Your Calendar for the 2010 MPCA Annual Conference The 2010 MPCA Annual Conference, focused around the theme of "Home Sweet Patient Centered Medical Home", will take place October 10-12 at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids.  Mark your calendar and watch for more information coming soon!     NATIONAL NEWS     New Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan Announced The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) is a new program created by the Affordable Care Act to help provide coverage for uninsured people with pre-existing conditions until new insurance market rules go into effect in 2014.  Click here for a brochure to share with patients.   HHS Issues New Rules to Strenghten Health Information Privacy, Security HHS announced new rules and resources this week to strenghten the privacy of health information and to help all Americans understand their rights and the resources available to safeguard their personal health data.   HHS Awards Prevention & Wellness Grants to 10 National Organizations HHS announced this week $10 million in ARRA-funded awards to 10 national non-profit organizations.  The funds will support public health efforts to reduce tobacco use and reduce obesity through increased physical activity and improved nutrition.  The 10 organizations are the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Association of American Indian Physicians, BlazeSports America, Community Food Security Coalition, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund, National Recreation and Parks Association, Sesame Workshop, and Society for Public Health Education.   U.S. House Sets FY 2011 Discretionary Appropriations Levels The annual appropriations process picked up some steam last week, with the U.S. House passing its FY 2010 war supplemental spending bill.  This bill includes new funds for teachers and federal student loans, as well as a budget enforcement resolution that sets spending limits for FY 2011 discretionary appropriations.   H1N1 Flu Public Emergency Expires According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is little 2009 H1N1 virus currently circulating in the United States.  As a result, the CDC has not renewed the public health emergency determination but encourages Americans to continue to practice flu prevention techniques.   It's Almost Back to School Time Cover The Uninsured is launching its annual Back to School campaign in an effort to continue enrolling children into programs such as CHIP and Medicaid.  Free promotional materials are available by calling 1-877-KIDS-NOW.      NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK     Governor Granholm has declared August 8-14, 2010, as National Health Center Week in Michigan (click here to read the proclamation).  That's just one month away - but it's not too late to plan an event at your Health Center.  Go to www.healthcenterweek.org and click on "Join the Celebration" to learn how other Michigan Health Centers are celebrating.  Please remember to 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      Health-care Overhaul Will Improve Insurance Options for Part-time Workers (Washington Post, 6/29/10) Community Health Centers are a good option for part-timers and others without insurance.  The centers serve all comers, and fees are generally charged on a sliding scale based on income.  Center locations can be found on the Health Resources and Services Administration web site, http://www.hrsa.gov; local public health departments and primary care associations may also list affordable programs.   Teen Pregnancy Rate Down; More Kids in Michigan Getting Education (The Macomb Daily, 7/4/10) The Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative of the Michigan Department of Community Health is funding Baldwin Family Health Care and three other Michigan agencies to increase use of contraception among teens and encourage waiting to have sex.  Teen birth rates are experiencing their first decline nationwide in four years.      REPORTS & RESOURCES     Voter Education & Engagement Resources Community Health Centers are effective places to engage voters.  They are non-profit organizations that are trusted in the community, have social missions, are visited daily by individuals who are often underrepresented in the democratic process, and are nonpartisan. MPCA has created a new web page that contains information and resources to assist Community Health Centers in registering and educating voters, and making civic engagement a part of their ongoing activities.  If you have questions, please contact Dana Hughes at dhughes@mpca.net.   Replay of HRSA's TA Call on School-Based Health Center Equipment Grants Listen to HRSA's archived technical assistance call by dialing: 1-888-566-0133, passcode 2165, view their slide presentation, and visit their website at http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/assistance/sbhcc/.    Information, Resources About Pertusis In response to the increase in pertussis cases in Michigan this year, the Michigan Department of Community Health has developed a pertussis web page for health care providers and the general public.  It includes information about pertussis disease and vaccines including vaccine administration, educational flyers directed towards parents, grandparents and health care personnel and other resources.  The direct link is  http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2945_5104_5281-240419--,00.html.   This web page can also be accessed through  www.michigan.gov/immunize and www.michigan.gov/teenvaccines by clicking on the Information on Pertussis in Michigan link.    Time to Talk Cardio This free program developed by the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, in collaboration with Canyon Ranch Institute and RIASWorks, Inc. and underwritten by Merck & Co. Inc, emphasizes the importance of quality communication between patients and physicians.  It consists of videos that provide patient-doctor communication training, as well as resources for patients looking to improve the quality of their doctor visits.   Diabetes Data Library The Michigan Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPAC) has expanded its online diabetes data library.  Topics include prevalence and incidence for adults and children, risk factors, prevention care, complications, hospitalization, mortality, prediabetes, gestational diabetes, and cost.     FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES     FY10 Partnership Active in Communities to Achieve Health Equity 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      Accounting Clerk, Advantage Health Centers, Detroit, MI   Click here for a list of CHC career opportunities posted on the MPCA web site.