Dear Friends,  What a year! We achieved national healthcare reform, and a recognition that primary care is at the heart of a more efficient and effective health system. Expansion of innovative care models, community health centers, and primary care workforce, as well as elimination of co-pays for preventive care, will help revolutionize healthcare delivery in the United States. Just a couple of weeks ago, CMS announced the exciting launch of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation to test new models of care that focus on improving quality of care and lowering costs. The first initiatives were aimed at strengthening primary care and improving care coordination for patients. We're delighted that CMS has chosen New York's Adirondack Medical Home Pilot for its national demonstration; the project is led by John Rugge, MD, President & CEO of the Hudson Headwaters Health Network (and PCDC Board member). Now, it is time to focus on leveraging these opportunities and ensuring that they remain strong and funded in an increasingly uncertain political environment. PCDC will work with its partners to ensure sufficient low-cost capital to build our primary care infrastructure; help providers become Patient-Centered Medical Homes and fully utilize electronic health records; and ensure that primary care providers are at the heart of Accountable Care Organizations and other new models of care. We are proud to be working with so many creative partners who share the mission of bringing excellent healthcare to every neighborhood. Together, we have taken the first steps toward a more affordable, effective healthcare system. We can do this! Happy Holidays, Ronda Kotelchuck Executive Director Primary Care Development Corporation
|
| Adirondacks Chosen for National Medical Home Pilot as CMS Launches Innovation Center | |
One of the first projects announced was the Multi-Payer Advanced Primary Care Practice Initiative. New York's Adirondack Medical Home pilot, led by Hudson Headwaters Health Network, was selected as one of eight national participants. The initiative aims to evaluate the ability of advanced primary care practices to reduce overutilization of services; reduce healthcare costs; improve patient safety; enhance the effectiveness, timeliness, and efficiency of care; encourage patient self-management; and increase access to care in underserved areas.
Click here for an Albany Times Union op-ed from John Rugge, MD, CEO of Hudson Headwaters' and PCDC Board member, discussing the Innovations Center and Medical Home project. |
|
Project Spotlight: Coordinating Care in Rural Northern New York
| |
"Despite being separated by more than 300 miles, PCDC has assembled an excellent team to assist our practices and provides substantial expertise tailored to fit the needs of providers." Corey Zeigler, Project Manager, North Country Health Information Partnership.
Funded through a New York State HEAL 10 grant, the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO) is working with PCDC to help practices implement Electronic Health Records (EHR); achieve NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognition; achieve "meaningful use" of EHR certification; and exchange health information across provider settings. PCDC is providing technical assistance to all practices, which are at varying levels of PCMH readiness and health information technology adoption.
Through the two-year, $6.7 million project, the North Country Health Information Partnership (NCHIP) brings together more than 109 providers from 15 practices and five hospitals to coordinate care for underserved patients throughout the rural communities of Northern New York. The project's clinical area of focus is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), because of its high incidence rate and impact on hospitalizations and mortality rates.
Learn more about PCDC's medical home and meaningful use services.
|
|
Bassett Enlists PCDC for Central New York
Medical Home Project
|
PCDC has been engaged by Bassett to assist with all phases of the multi-site application process, from self-assessment, data gathering and reporting, to technical expertise on application submission. The project is expected to help further enhance quality outcomes and care coordination for Bassett's patients. Achievement of medical home recognition for Bassett's primary care physicians and advanced practice clinicians would make Bassett eligible for state and federal financial incentives.
Bassett Healthcare Network is an integrated health care system that provides care and services to people living in an eight-county region covering 5,600 square miles in Central New York.
Click here for more information about PCDC's medical home consulting services. |
| PCDC Honored at Bronx Special Needs Facility Opening | |
"It is only through partnerships like these that the YAI Network is able to ensure that people with disabilities can receive the highest quality health care they deserve within their community." Dr. Philip H. Levy, President & CEO, YAI Network.
 On November 5th, more than 100 local officials, community residents, providers and supporters gathered to celebrate the expansion of Premier HealthCare's East Tremont practice in the Bronx. PCDC and medical equipment supplier Henry Schein, were honored at the celebration. PCDC provided $1.5 million in low-cost financing and a $164,500 grant to complete the renovation, and Henry Schein donated over $100,000 in medical equipment.
The renovated site has doubled its space to expand essential medical, dental and rehabilitation services for Bronx residents, including those with developmental and learning disabilities. Premier Healthcare, the YAI Network health agency, provides comprehensive and coordinated medical, dental, mental health, rehabilitation and specialty care to 10,000 patients throughout New York City, and was recently designated a Patient-Centered Medical Home by the NCQA.
Click here for press release.
Click here for more information on PCDC's Capital Financing services.
|
"When Medical Home Meets Meaningful Use" PCDC and CHCANYS Share Findings in 3-Part Series
| 
In a three-part series sponsored by the New York Association for Ambulatory Care, PCDC and the Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS) are discussing their work helping primary care providers achieve PCMH recognition and prepare for EHR Meaningful Use certification.
PCDC and CHCANYS recently launched a two-year Medical Home/Meaningful Use Collaborative that is helping 12 New York City community health centers achieve these important standards of care. The initiative, is being supported with $750,000 in total grant funding from The Altman Foundation, The Baisley Powell Elebash Fund, The New York Community Trust, and the RCHN Community Health Foundation.
The last session is scheduled for January 27, 2011, 5:45 pm. (The first two sessions were held November 4th and December 9th).
Location:
Beth Israel Medical Center, Phillips Ambulatory Care Center
10 Union Square East, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10003
Click here to register and for more information.
Click here for presentations from sessions one and two. |
PCDC Testifies at NYC Council Electronic Health Records Hearing
|
 PCDC recently testified at a joint hearing sponsored by the New York City Council Technology and Health Committees on New York City's efforts to implement electronic health records (EHR). PCDC emphasized the City's responsibility to ensure that providers have the resources to move forward on building a coordinated healthcare system. PCDC's recommendations included:
Additional capital funds - There is a continued need for capital funding to purchase and upgrade equipment, invest in data warehousing, and ensure that all practices have the bandwidth to fully support EHR.
Technical assistance - While the federal government has provided some financial support for EHR adoption, the City should leverage this with its own resources to support effective technical assistance.
More cross-collaboration - There must be more collaboration and sharing of knowledge across these large consortia of providers. Otherwise, we could face more fragmentation issues, even as providers ramp up EHRs.
Patient education - So far, most of the education focus has been for providers. What will also drive EHR adoption is when patients demand it. New York City should consider supporting advocacy aimed at educating patients to request that their health care providers use EHRs.
Click here for PCDC's testimony to the NYC Council.
|
About PCDC
|
Since 1993, PCDC has been transforming healthcare in underserved communities by providing high-impact financing, innovative services, and policy leadership that helps providers expand access to high-quality, patient-centered primary care. Our mission is driven by three key strategies:
Investing... We provide the capital to build new facilities, expand practices, and upgrade outmoded equipment, leading to better services for more patients. Strengthening...We guide providers to develop patient-centered approaches that strengthen their practices and transform the delivery of care.
Leading... We promote policies that increase access to quality primary care in order to lower costs and improve the health of communities. |
|
|
|
|
| Michael Dowling and Elizabeth Swain to Receive Primary Care Excellence Award | |
We are delighted to announce that on May 18th at PCDC's 6th Annual Spring Gala, Michael J. Dowling, President & CEO of North Shore-LIJ Health System and Elizabeth Swain, CEO of the Community Health Care Association of New York State will receive PCDC's Primary Care Excellence Award. The award recognizes their outstanding contributions to primary care and community health.
Additional honorees will be announced as they are confirmed in coming months.
Click here for more information. |
| Cuomo Agenda Calls for Primary Care Expansion | |
In a policy agenda released in October, Governor-elect Cuomo called for investing in primary care because of its ability to contain costs and improve health.
In the agenda, Mr. Cuomo calls for New York to seize federal healthcare reform opportunities, and emphasizes support for the community health center and school-based health center models. The agenda also recognizes the need for more access to capital and technical assistance to help build and modernize primary care capacity.
Click here for Cuomo's report (health starts on pp. 125.)
Click here for a report by the NYS Primary Care Coalition referenced in the Cuomo agenda.
|
| Foundations Convene Experts on Health Center Capital Financing | |
While healthcare reform has allocated funding to expand health center services to millions more patients, a lack of capital to expand health center infrastructure could undermine these efforts.
The Kresge Foundation and the Calvert Foundation recently convened the Health Center Finance Solutions Forum in Detroit to explore solutions for ensuring access to affordable capital for health centers. Tom Manning, PCDC's Director of Capital Financing participated and issued a paper titled "Recommendations for Effective Primary Care Capital Expansion." Tom was joined at the forum by Elizabeth Swain, CEO of CHCANYS, plus community health and lending experts from around the country.
|
| Family Health Network Celebrates Grand Opening of Expanded Cortland Facility | |
 The Family Health Network (FHN) recently celebrated the grand opening of its expanded 7,500 sq. ft facility in Cortland, New York. The practice has added space for six additional exam rooms.
PCDC provided a $325,000 bridge loan for the state-funded HEAL 6 project, which was used to provide additional space, and improve accessibility for patients.
Click here for press release.
Click here for information on PCDC's financing services.
|
Video: In Search of an Accountable Care Organization
| 
Click here for a video from Centura Health, where a clueless healthcare executive searches for an Accountable Care Organization.
|
Staff Announcements
|
|
Congratulations to Tom Manning, who was appointed by Mayor Bloomberg to the Board of the NYC Residential Mortgage Insurance Corporation (REMIC). REMIC provides credit enhancement to enable increased investment in affordable housing in NYC. Since 1993, REMIC has insured over 19,000 units of affordable housing.
Welcome to Kate Masuch, who has joined PCDC as Development & External Affairs Coordinator. She most recently worked as Program Manager for the Center for International Studies (CIS), coordinating university study abroad programs. Kate also interned for North Shore-LIJ's Community Health Education Dept.
Office Space Available: PCDC is seeking a subtenant in its office, including 20 desks and 4 offices, starting June 2011. If you are interested, please contact Dane Ligoure at (212) 437-3926. |
|
|
|
The 
