The President's FY2016 Budget Request Released

President Obama released his FY2016 budget proposal this week. The proposal includes $2.7 billion per year for three years in mandatory funding for the Health Centers Program in addition to $1.5 billion in discretionary funding and reserve funding from the existing Health Center Fund. For additional details, see NACHC's statement on the budget request. For those interested in the President's budget request for other programs under HRSA, see the FY2016 HHS Budget in Brief. Release of the President's proposal marks the beginning of the budget debate.

CMS Clarifies PQRS Questions for FQHCs

Over the last several weeks, NACHC has heard from many Health Centers with questions about thePhysician Quality Reporting System letters that Health Center providers may have received inquiring about the impact on FQHCs. Last week CMS issued a clarification on how the PQRS penalties apply to Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers, noting that the penalty applies only to those services provided on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and not to FQHC services. You can read the FAQ and more information on the Policy Shop blog. Please do not hesitate to contact NACHC should you have any further questions.

UDS Reports Due February 15:  What Will Your Public Profile Say About Your Health Center?

App Helps Residents Pick Health Insurance

 ACA Cuts Nation's Uninsured By 20 Million

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy urges parents to vaccinate children against measles 

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced today another flu fatality, bringing the total to 21 so far this season.  This is the largest number of flu fatalities in recent memory. 

There are also now 1,998 lab-confirmed cases which exceed the total number of cases for any full flu season of the past decade (except for the H1N1 outbreak in 2009-2010).  All but two of the deceased are over age 65 (the other fatalities were in their early 50s) and all 21 had underlying medical conditions. DPH urges people to check in daily with their loved ones and neighbors if they are seniors or have medical conditions.  Over half of the flu deaths were in people who lived at home and likely received medical care too late.

Each year, multiple flu strains will circulate.  This flu season, a mutated strain has impacted the effectiveness of the flu vaccine.  CDC initial evidence shows the 2014-15 flu vaccine's effectiveness is particularly low in protecting seniors who contract the mutated strain.

Persons with emerging flu symptoms should call - not visit - their medical providers, who may be able to prescribe anti-viral medication.  Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.

DPH also recommends these actions to protect seniors and vulnerable populations, including the very young, pregnant women, and those who recently gave birth, and people with underlying medical conditions, such as lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, and individuals with weak immune systems:

• If you begin to show symptoms of the flu, contact a medical provider immediately.

• If you are receiving treatment in a long-term care facility or in-home care, ask if the staff is vaccinated against the flu and, if not, the staff person should wear a mask at all times.
• Visits at home or in a facility should be limited if the visitor is under age 16, or has the flu or is at risk of exposure to the flu. The illness can be transmitted prior to someone showing symptoms.
• If living with a senior and a family member contracts the flu, keep the two separate as much as possible and ensure everyone in the home follows sanitary precautions.
• Wash hands frequently with soap or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after you cough, sneeze, or touch your face.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and dispose of the tissue immediately. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your inner elbow. Droplets from a sneeze can travel up to six feet.
• Stay home when sick and do not return to work or school until 24 hours after a fever is gone.
• Ensure all your loved ones are vaccinated against the illness. Even if the amount of protection is reduced in one strain this year, the vaccination can help make the illness milder and prevent the illnesses due to the other strains circulating in the community. Vaccines are available from DPH clinics, physicians, pharmacies, and many grocery stores. 

TO: Maryland Health Care For All! Supporters

FROM: Vinny DeMarco

            We are thrilled that today we are launching a new radio ad featuring Orioles Superstar Adam Jones to help people enroll in affordable health care through the Affordable Care Act. You can check out the ad at http://healthcareforall.com/2015/01/media-advisory-3/ .  The ad urges people to call 211 or go to MarylandHealthConnection.gov to find out about their eligibility for health care coverage.  We will be announcing the ad at a press conference today with Adam Jones, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Attorney General Brian Frosh, Health Benefit Exchange Director Carolyn Quattrocki, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen, and HealthCare Access Maryland Director Kathleen Westcoat.  We thank HCAM for hosting the event.

Please help us spread the word! Feel free to send out the radio ad through your networks and please do all you can to urge people to call 211 or go to MarylandHealthConnection.gov to find out about their eligibility for health care coverage.

            Together we will make sure that as many Marylanders as possible enroll in ACA health care prior to the February 15 open enrollment deadline.