Please Donate
The ACU Board recommends contributions be made to Direct Relief International, an organization that is providing much-needed medical assistance to earthquake victims in Haiti.
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"This year, every insured American family will pay $1,017 - and insured singles will pay $368 per year - in insurance premiums just to cover the medical expenses of the uninsured."
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Health Care Reform - Follow it on Facebook
 ACU is using Facebook to communicate with members and the public about the latest developments in health care reform. Through Facebook, ACU members can share news articles, reports, and commentary and post their comments. Anyone who has a free Facebook account can view the ACU page. |
Online Survey on Healthcare Interpreters
The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters' (CCHI) is conducting a national online survey as part of its effort to develop a national, valid, credible, vendor-neutral certification program for healthcare interpreters.To ensure the certification meets the needs of clinics and health centers, CCHI is seeking input from interpreters, interpreter managers and interpreter trainers.
ACU encourages members who are healthcare interpreters to complete the survey and for ACU clinic and organizational members to spread the word about the survey. Information about CCHI, the process for developing the certification program and the survey are available online.
The survey will be open from Jan. 19 - Feb. 2. For more information, contact Karin Ruschke, CCHI Vice Chair - Certification. |
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Save the Date
The 2nd National Summit of Clinicians for Health Care Justice will take place September 23 - 25, 2010 in Washington, DC.
ACU is pleased to join with its other national and regional clinicians networks in planning this national meeting for front line clinicians. Watch for details on the program agenda in the coming months and ways to be involved.
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AZ&Me™ Prescription Program Update
The AZ&Me™ Prescription Savings program for people with Medicare Part D is changing from a retail pharmacy-based program, in which patients paid no more than $25 for a 30-day supply depending on income level, to a mail-order program where eligible patients will receive their AstraZeneca medicines at no-cost. Program eligibility requirements will remain unchanged in 2010 except that patients will now be required to provide proof of income documentation. Read more
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Rethinking Medical Education in Light of Health Care Reform
 ACU Charter Member Fitzhugh Mullan, MD, heads the Medical Education Futures Study, which focuses on the social mission of medical education in light of current medical school expansion and the possibility of major health care reform. The project's website provides information on the shortage of primary care physicians, racial and ethnic diversity, and geographic distribution.
Dr. Mullan is the Murdock Head Professor of Medicine and Health Policy at the George Washington University School of Public Health and a Professor of Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine. He is also a member of the medical staff at the Upper Cardozo Community Health Center in Washington, D.C.
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Teaching Health Centers - Solution to Workforce Crisis?
Expanding the role of community health centers in graduate medical education would address the primary care physician workforce shortage, provide access for the underserved and improve primary care training in a patient-centered medical home environment, according to authors of a recent article in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Read Addressing the Primary Care Workforce Crisis for the Underserved online.
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Solution Proposed for Dental Shortages
Could dental therapists, who perform preventive and basic dental services, provide sorely needed care to millions of underserved Americans? A report from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation suggests that this new type of dental professional, working as members of a dental team, could alleviate serious access problems.The report,Training New Dental Health Providers in the U. S. is available online. |
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Federal Policy Could Help Close Gap
Closing the Health Care Workforce Gap, a new report from Center for American Progress, projects that by 2020 there will be a shortage of up to 200,000 physicians and 1 million nurses. Rural Americans and those living in other underserved areas across the country are especially vulnerable to these current and growing health workforce shortages. The report recommends ways to better align federal funding and training polices.
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New Health IT Resources
In December, the Department of Health & Human Services released proposed regulations defining meaningful use of electronic health record systems. Download this brief report,
in which ACU summarizes the most recent announcements, outlining measures and
criteria required for financial incentives provided by the HITECH Act
as well as obstacles challenging providers' ability to meet the
criteria. HIMSS also has created a variety of tools, resources and educational opportunities both online and at live events to help health care providers understand and take advantage of the economic stimulus funds for health IT. |
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Asthma Management Awards - Apply Now
The National Environmental Leadership Awards in Asthma Management, given by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recognize organizations that are leading the nation in addressing environmental triggers as part of their comprehensive asthma programs. Applicants may apply in one of three categories: health plans, health care providers or communities in action. The application deadline is Mar. 16. EPA will present the awards on June 17, 2010, at the National Asthma Forum. |
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Health IT Awards - Apply Now
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) is accepting applications for the 2010 HIMSS Davies Awards of Excellence in the implementation and use of health information technology, specifically electronic health records (EHRs). There are four award categories: healthcare organizations, private practices, public health systems, and community health organizations. |
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Health Disparities Plan Open for Comment
The DHHS Office of Minority Health is accepting comments on the National Plan for Action, through Feb. 12. ACU participated in creating the plan, along with representatives from community, faith-based and non-profit organizations, academic institutions, foundations, Federal, State, and local agencies. The plan describes the current status of health disparities in the U.S. and proposes 20 strategies for their elimination. Comment forms are set up so that you can provide input on each chapter or on the overall document. To learn more and to comment, visit the Office of Minority Health online. |
Fellowship Opportunities
The Disparities Leadership Program, jointly sponsored by the Disparities Solutions Center at Massachusetts General Hospital and the National Committee for Quality Assurance, is a year-long executive education program designed for leaders from hospitals, health plans and other health care organizations who want to develop a strategic plan or advance a project to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care, particularly through quality improvement. The program begins in May. Apply by Feb. 8, 2010.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Graduate Health Fellowship is a nine month program that offers exceptional Latinos with a master's degree or higher hands-on experience in public policy in Washington, DC. The program dates are August 2010 - May 2011. Apply by Feb. 19, 2010.
Addressing the Health Needs of the Underserved: An Innovative Faculty Development Program for Primary Care Physicians is a three week Institute sponsored by the University of California, San Diego Department of Family and Preventive Medicine. Dates for 2010 are May 10 - 14, Sept. 20 - 24, and Dec. 6 - 10. Apply by Feb. 20, 2010.
Visit the ACU Web Site for more fellowship opportunities related to care for the underserved. |
Conferences and E-Learning
Feb. 4, 3 - 4:15 pm
EST, a free webinar "Health Literacy in Primary Care: Using a Self-Assessment
Tool to Guide Quality Improvement in Primary Care." This is the fourth in the DiversityRx 'Your Voice' Webinar Series sponsored by The
California Endowment. Register online. You can
access previous webinars and information about other educational activities at www.diversityRxconference.org/YourVoice.
Feb. 24 - 28, Policy & Issues Forumsponsored by the National Association of Community Health Centers,Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, DC.
Visit the ACU Web Site for more conferences and continuing education on care for the underserved.
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