March 5, 2010 Vol. 4 #7 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 March 15, 3 pm   MPCA Executive Committee Conference Call March 16, 3:30 pm   MPCA Membership Committee Conference Call March 18, 10:30 am Understanding Migrant & Sesaonal Farmworker Populations Webinar March 23, 1:30-3:30 pm   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 CHC Staff, Providers, Patients, Board Members Attend 2010 Policy & Issues Forum Approximately 50 individuals representing Michigan Community Health Centers attended the National Association of Community Health Centers' (NACHC) 35th Policy & Issues Forum in Washington, DC, last week.  They were among thousands of Health Center leaders, opinion-makers, policy experts, clinicians and consumers who discussed access to affordable health care and the outlook for health care reform.  During individual visits with Members of Congress, CHC representatives honored 12 of Michigan's congressional delegation with distinguished community health champion, defender, and superhero awards.  Michigan was also honored for its advocacy efforts, with MPCA Communications Manager Dana Hughes receiving the Betsey Cooke Grassroots Advocacy MVP award - click here to read more.  Click here to view photos from MPCA, and click here to view photos from NACHC.   MPCA Provides Testimony on MDCH Budget On behalf of MPCA, Program Manager Lynda Meade presented testimony to the State Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Community Health last week, making three requests:  that legislators do everything possible to maintain the integrity of Medicaid by protecting Medicaid services and eligibility, and ensuring that reimbursement rates are adequate to maintain a sufficient number of providers willing to provide Medicaid services; restore the adult dental benefit under Medicaid; and take on the difficult task of addressing the need to fix the tax structure in Michigan that currently guarantees continuing budget deficits and forces all of us providing essential services to Michigan residents to sit here and cannibalize each other, fighting over the leftovers.    MPCA Collaborates with Altarum Institute to Establish Center for Effective IT Adoption MPCA is one of 13 organizations collaborating with Altarum Institute, an Ann Arbor-based nonprofit that focuses on health care research and consulting, to establish the Michigan Center for Effective IT Adoption.  This center will help doctors identify and purchase the best electronic medical record technology for their individual practices.   New Workforce Development Specialist Joins MPCA Staff Kimberly Benjamin, PHR joined the MPCA staff on February 17 as its new Workforce Development Specialist.  In this role she is responsible for encouraging and facilitating CHC participation in national and statewide recruitment and retention programs; designing and implementing strategies to assist CHCs in developing an effective recruitment and retention plan that will include plan evaluation and assessment tools; developing a Workforce Planning Center to assist CHCs in recruiting and retaining a quality health workforce; and assisting CHCs in marketing employment opportunities using a variety of media. Kimberly can be reached at kbenjamin@mpca.net or 517.381.8000 x203.   It's Not Too Early to Start Planning for National Health Center Week 2010 August may seem like a long way off, but it's not too early to start planning for National Health Center Week 2010 to be held August 8-14.  This year's theme is "Turning Vision Into Reality."  Click here for more information, and stay tuned as resources and templates are developed to help you plan your event.  Or, contact Dana Hughes at dhughes@mpca.net if you need help getting the ball rolling.   Over 30 CHIPRA Enrollment Events Taking Place Across Michigan MPCA's new CHIPRA Outreach and Enrollment initiative has over 30 enrollment events scheduled this month for Michigan families to sign their children up for free and low-cost health insurance!   Michigan to Receive Federal Matching Funds for Electronic Health Record Incentives Program The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced last week that Michigan's Medicaid program will receive federal matching funds for state planning activities necessary to implement the electronic health record (EHR) incentive program established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Michigan will receive approximately $1.52 million in federal matching funds.     NATIONAL NEWS   ACTION ALERT:  Please Contact Your U.S. Representative to Support Increased Health Center Appropriations Advocacy is a numbers game.  The more people who send their elected officials the same message, the more likely it is that message will be heard.  In this instance, the message is, "Please sign the Health Center appropriations letter".  It is VITAL that a large number of advocates contact their U.S. Representative with this message.  The greater the number who sign on, the greater the likelihood that the Health Centers program will receive the $370 million in increased funding for Fiscal Year 2011 that is being requested - and it takes just a minute to take action and let your voice be heard.   President Continues Health Reform Efforts On the heels of releasing his health care reform proposal on February 22, President Obama hosted a health care reform summit last week in an effort to move health reform forward.  Among those invited to attend were Congressmen John Dingell and Dave Camp from Michigan.  Included in the President's plan is dedicated funding to expand the Health Centers Program as contained in both the House- and Senate-passed health care bills, and it sets aside funds for the operation and expansion of Health Centers over the next five years and the construction of new Health Centers in medically underserved communities.   Congressman Levin Named House Ways and Means Committee Chair Congressman Sander Levin (D) of Michigan was appointed Thursday as Chair of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee.  He replaces Congressman Charles Rangel (NY), who stepped aside after being reprimanded last week by the House Ethics Committee for accepting corporate-sponsored trips to the Caribbean in violation of gift rules.  Upon his appointment, Congressman Levin issued the following statement:  "The Ways and Means Committee plays a vital role on critical issues facing American families, including job creation, economic development, and health care.  I look forward to moving vigorously on this agenda.  That means working collaboratively with Democrats on the Committee and the entire caucus, with Congressional leadership and the Obama Administration, and undertaking discussions with Republicans in order to move our nation forward."   HRSA Releases PIN 10-01 The purpose of this PIN, "Confirming Public Agency Status under the Health Center Program and FQHC Look-Alike Program", is to describe the documentation that will be considered by HRSA in confirming public agency status for organizations that self-identify as public for Health Center program grant funding authorized under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, and/or for Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike designation.    Nominations for John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award Being Accepted Showcase your important patient safety and quality work by applying for a 2010 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award. The award recognizes major achievements of individuals and organizations in improving patient safety and health care quality. Applications are due to The Joint Commission by April 12.  Contact: Linda Hanold at lhanold@jointcommission.org.     Nominations for HIMSS Davies Award Being Accepted Health Centers are encouraged to apply for the prestigious Nicholas E. Davies Award recognizing excellence in the implementation and value from health information technology, specifically EHRs. Applications are due May 14.   Public Health Week Coming Up in April Mark your calendar for April 11-17, Michigan's celebration of Public Health Week.  (National Public Health Week festivities will take place April 5-11).  This year's theme, "A Healthier America: One Community at a Time," embraces the concept of improving America's health system in one generation.  If every person commits to promoting good health in their community, we can create momentum to improve one community at a time. Healthier communities create a healthier nation.   NASBHC Seeks Leaders to Join Board The National Association of School-Based Health Centers (NASBHC) is accepting nominations for its Board of Directors through March 12. Positions to be filled are Members At Large for three-year terms.  These members will be instrumental in guiding NASBHC's mission and strategic direction as well as ensuring the organization's vitality. The Board is especially interested in recruiting members with expertise and/or experience in fundraising and resource development, finance/accounting, education, statewide school-based health center associations or efforts. The Board is committed to cultural diversity and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds.  Please email nomination with a one-paragraph explanation about why you are nominating the individual (or yourself) by March 12 to Laura Hurwitz at LHurwitz@nasbhc.org.      H1N1 & SEASONAL FLU   Please continue to vaccinate patients against seasonal and H1N1 influenza. Remember that the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine will not protect against seasonal influenza, and seasonal influenza vaccine will not protect against H1N1 influenza.  Providers who don't have seasonal influenza vaccine or H1N1 influenza vaccine can direct patients to the new Google Flu Shot Finder at http://www.google.com/flushot.   ACIP Recommends Universal Annual Influenza Vaccination A panel of immunization experts voted last week to expand the recommendation for annual influenza vaccination to include all people aged 6 months and older. The expanded recommendation is to take effect in the 2010-2011 influenza season. The new recommendation seeks to remove barriers to influenza immunization and signals the importance of preventing influenza across the entire population.   Protection Against 2009 H1N1 To Be Included in 2010-2011 Seasonal Flu Vaccine ACIP also recently recommended that protection against the 2009 H1N1 virus be included in the 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine starting fall 2010.  That means this fall most Americans will be able to return to the traditional routine of having one flu vaccine to protect them against the major circulating flu viruses.  As is always the case with seasonal vaccine, younger children who have never had a seasonal vaccine will still need two doses.   Children Need Second H1N1 Flu Dose Children under age 10 need two doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine, administered about a month apart.  An estimated 308,000 Michigan children received the first dose, of which about 65% of them are overdue for their second dose.  MDCH has mailed reminder letters to parents, stating that it is not too late to get the second dose, but a reminder from providers would also boost that message and help reach targeted children.  Talk to the parents of your pediatric patients and encourage them to get the 2009 H1N1 flu booster. (Source: MDCH)   Hang On to 2009 H1N1 Vaccine There is no telling whether a third wave of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus will emerge this season.  That is why MDCH encourages you to hang on to your 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine and keep vaccinating your patients. Please do not send any 2009 H1N1 vaccine back to McKesson, the distributor.  McKesson is not accepting any returned vaccine.  Instead, providers are urged to continue to vaccinate.  (Source:  MDCH)   Record Your 2009 H1N1 Vaccine MDCH continues to process 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine orders.  To date, more than 2.7 million doses were ordered by Michigan providers.  However, only 1.46 million doses - or about 54% of the vaccine orders - have been recorded into the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR).  Providers enrolled in the 2009 H1N1 vaccination program are required to submit their administered doses data into the MCIR. This ensures accurate vaccine tracking and adverse event monitoring and allows for outreach measures to high-risk individuals not yet vaccinated and children in need of more than 1 dose. MCIR data is reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  (Source:  MDCH)   Continue to check the following web sites for up-to-date information:  www.michigan.gov/fllu, www.cdc.gov/flu, www.flu.gov, www.mpca.net.     HEALTH CENTERS IN THE NEWS   InterCare Community Health Network Featured in NACHC's ARRA One-Year Anniversary Stimulus Report Click here to watch a YouTube video.  Click here to access NACHC's web page devoted to the ARRA one-year anniversary.   A Plan to Help Places Hurting for Doctors Patients line up to see Dr. Herbert Smitherman Jr., a busy physician who accepts uninsured and Medicaid patients at three federally funded clinics he runs in metro Detroit. He helps them with their physical ailments and tries to lend a hand with anything else they bring to him, including welfare and legal problems. With a statewide shortage of primary care doctors, particularly in urban areas such as Detroit, Michigan needs more physicians.   Help for Getting Health Insurance for Kids Many Michigan parents don't get the right information about how to insure their children. Volunteers are stationed around the state, getting the word out and helping parents who qualify by signing them up. Sedgrick Jacobs remembers when his 6-year-old daughter had trouble breathing. As a parent, he felt helpless. Sedgrick Jacobs, parent: "I couldn't take her to the hospital because we didn't have no insurance." But after meeting community outreach volunteers with the Michigan Primary Care Association, that will change.   Stimulus Funds: Health Centers Prove Outcomes The paper does a fine job of looking at the variety of effects that stimulus funds have had on Community Health Centers, their patients and the economic vitality of the communities they serve. Click here for more about CHCs in the News.    Do you have news or testimonials from patients, board members, or staff to share?  Please e-mail information to dhughes@mpca.net.     REPORTS & RESOURCES   MPCA Releases 2010 Guide to Michigan Community Health Centers The annual directory of Michigan Community Health Centers and other MPCA member organizations is now available online.  Printed copies of the directory will be available soon.  Please e-mail Dana Hughes at dhughes@mpca.net to request copies; include the number of copies you would like and the address to where they should be sent.   County Health Rankings The University of Wisconsin's Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recently released the first set of reports to rank the overall health of every county in all 50 states.    Majority of States Fail To Ensure Proper Dental Health and Access to Care for Children An estimated one in five children in America go without dental care each year and two-thirds of states do not have effective policies in place to ensure proper dental health and access to care, according to a report released February 23 by the Pew Center on the States. Click here for Michigan's fact sheet.   Protecting Children in Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders This manual provides an overview of how child welfare and other related professionals can assist families affected by substance use disorders (SUDs), which also often may be referred to as "substance abuse." It is part of the Child Abuse and Neglect User Manual Series, which is published by the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.   Pandemic Plan Template Available from CDC The CDC recently released a new pandemic influenza plan template for primary care offices.  This was developed by a group of representatives from primary care (including two PCAs and NACHC), public health, and emergency management.  The template provides a good outline for putting together a basic plan - this may be a great start if your health center doesn't currently have a pan flu plan.    2010 Economic Impact of Health Care in Michigan According to a new report released by the Michigan State Medical Society, Michigan Health and Hospital Association, and Michigan Osteopathic Association, Michigan health care jobs grew to more than 900,000 from 2006 to 2008.   MSA Issues Bulletins Medicaid Health Plan Pharmacy Carve-Out (MSA 10-08):  Effective April 1, the Therapeutic Drug Classes identified in Table 1 (commonly known as the MHP 60/40 carve-outs) will no longer be covered as part of the MHP benefit.    Citizenship Verification for MIChild (MSA 10-07):  Effective April 1, MIChild applicants must verify U.S. citizenship with an acceptable document to receive MIChild coverage.   Updates to the Medicaid Provider Manual; Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Code Changes (MSA 10-06)  2010 Census Toolkit The Michigan Nonprofit Association mailed the "2010 Census Toolkit for Nonprofits" in February.  It contains a sample census form, census fact sheet, a "Media Relations in a Box" communications toolkit, and much more.  You can also download contents of the 2010 Census Toolkit on MNA's Web site, or contact Phillip Bergquist at pbergquist@mpca.net and he will send the contents to you on a CD.  In related news, the 2010 Census Portrait of America Regional Road Tour is traveling Michigan now through April 15. It will provide attendees a window into the census, including its unique history, the process by which people are counted, why an accurate count is so critical to the nation, how to participate and where to get assistance in completing the form. Track the Road Tour stops through an interactive map at www.2010census.gov.       FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES   Robert Wood Johnson Local Funding Partnerships This program forges relationships between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and local grantmakers to fund promising, original projects that can significantly improve the health of vulnerable people in their communities.  (Deadline for receipt of Stage 1 brief proposals:  June 30)   Coming Soon:  Part-time NHSC Service Awards In March, clinicians working part-time (20-39 hours per week, at least 45 weeks per year) at NHSC-approved facilities will be eligible to apply to the NHSC Part-Time Demonstration Program for Loan Repayment. Click here to sign-up to be notified when application is available.  Part-Time Demonstration Program criteria will be comparable to the current NHSC Loan Repayment Program: Four year service commitment for $50,000 Potential for additional years of support - 2 year service contracts Application Period open for 30 days 400 awards Anticipated Same eligible disciplines as full-time Loan Repayment -see Application Information Bulletin: Eligibility (Source:  NACHC PCA Update)   State Rural Health Coordination and Development The purpose is to enhance the rural health infrastructure in each State by providing guidance and technical assistance to State Offices of Rural Health (SORHs) as well as their partners and to identify and promote best practices.  (Funder: HRSA; Due: April 16)   HIV Continuum of Care (COC) Services RFP The purpose is to support eligible programs serving persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH/A) and appropriate affected persons in Michigan. (Funder: MDCH; Due: April 22)   Click here for a list of funding opportunities posted on the MPCA web site.     CAREER OPPORTUNITIES   Pediatric Physicians, Montcalm Area Health Center, Greenville, MI    Click here for a list of career opportunities in Michigan Community Health Centers.