MACHC
Weekly E-Blast:  
Voicing the latest news on Communities in Need
In This Issue

National Health Center Week winners announced!

Food for thought:
Each season, nearly 111 million workdays are lost due to the flu, which amounts to approximately $7 billion per year in sick days and lost productivity. Consider taking your flu shot this year!
Have news to share with us? Want to be featured on our next E-Digest? Want to read about something in particular? Please email us at aneeqa@machc.com. 
August 24, 2015
MACHC SPOTLIGHT
MACHC's N
ational Health Center Week 
Facebook Contest 
The winners of the Facebook Contest are
  • 1st Place: Mountain Laurel Medical Center
  • 2nd Place: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center
  • Runner Ups:Baltimore Medical Systems, Inc & 
    La Red Health Center
 
Congratulations to all the winners and those who participated. We will reach out to you individually for collection of prizes. 

Please continue being active on social media! Today, this platform helps keep our consumers engaged and helps raise awareness! 


It's been 50 Glorious Years, Health Centers! Happy 50th to ALL FQHCs!
It was 50 years ago today that President Lyndon Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act.  From that moment on Community Health Centers were launched as a fledgling program; healthcare in American was never to be the same again. "To measure how far our nation has come in terms of progress in healthcare access, it is important to look back at where Community Health Centers started 50 years ago," writes Dan Hawkins, Senior Vice President of NACHC.

MACHC HAPPENINGS

MACHC EVENTS
    
(1) Outreach & Enrollment Call 
Friday, September 11th, 2015
1-866-740-1260 Access 4319483
Who: Outreach Staff
Discuss state updates, best practices, barriers/issues that need attention and provide any support and advocacy where needed.

(2) Operations / Leadership Conference  
Dec 3rd, 2015;  8:00AM -5:00PM
Turf Valley Conference Center
2700 Turf Valley Road
Ellicott, MD 21042
The learning sessions promise to be informative and empowering for our membership, partners, and collaborators to learn from one another and leading experts in areas of:
Advanced Access, Payment Reform, Human Resources/Workforce Development, Operationalizing Fee Scales, Shared Services, Care Coordination Complexity Scale, Pathways of Communication for Referral, Making the Leap to Becoming ACO's, Maximizing Your Human Capital, Community Partnerships / Collaboration, Fostering Innovations in Your Clinic or Health Center, Leading with Laser Focus (Studer Group) and Growing Your Health Centers Footprint Strategically.
Additional info about the conference will be posted HERE

(3) SAVE THE DATE
UDS Training
Dec 4th, 2015;  8:00AM
Turf Valley Conference Center
2700 Turf Valley Road
Ellicott, MD 21042
Additional details about Training and registration will be posted HERE


----------------------------------

Board of Directors Meetings:
(Third Friday @ 11:00 a.m.)
  • OTHER EVENTS

    • (1)  NACHC's 2015 Community Health Institute (CHI)
    August 22- 25th, 2015
    Orlando, Florida
    More info HERE
    Community Health Institute (CHI) & EXPO is the largest and most important annual gathering of 2000 community health center managers, clinicians, employees, board members and leaders. Every aspect of the community health center movement is represented and fully-vested at CHI, making it an excellent networking opportunity.
    The NACHC 2015 Community Health Institute (CHI) is scheduled to kick off in Orlando as key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are being implemented and health centers continue to expand to meet growing demand for primary care services.  The vast changes in the health care environment set in motion by ACA implementation raise new issues for Community Health Centers and their patients in all areas of operations - financial, clinical and policy. The NACHC CHI will bring together the most up-to-date information about the transformation now taking shape, and give you the tools to stay strategically competitive in the new Health Insurance Marketplace.


    (2) Rescheduled: HRSA Substance Abuse Expansion Resources Webinar - Tuesday, September 8, 2015, 2:00pm - 3:00pm, ET.  HRSA, in conjunction with other federal partners, is hosting this webinar to highlight information and resources to assist health centers improve and expand the delivery of substance use disorder services, including providing medication-assisted treatment.
     Join the webinar the day of the session. For audio, dial-in to 888-603-6974, pass code 2911439.

     
    (3) Save the Date for the Maryland Chronic Disease Conference
    On September 8-9, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland, DHMH will be hosting the Inaugural Chronic Disease Conference.  The Maryland Chronic Disease Conference aims to explore challenges and opportunities in public health as well as approaches to prevent and control chronic diseases and associated risk factors. The conference will identify best practices, examine existing barriers, and develop a roadmap for future programs in Maryland. The core focus of the Conference will be the four CDC Chronic Disease Domains-Epidemiology/Surveillance; Environmental Approaches; Health Care System Interventions and Community Programs Linked to Clinical Services.
    For more information please visit: Maryland Chronic Disease Conference 

    (4) Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Risk Management Virtual Conference
    September 10, 2015
    FREE Annual Virtual Conference from ECRI Institute on behalf of HRSA
     ECRI Institute, on behalf of HRSA, will present a free one-day virtual conference for health centers, free clinics, FQHC Look-Alikes, primary care associations, and HRSA project officers on September 10, 2015, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time. Join us as our expert speakers walk you through the practical application of risk management principles in response to an adverse clinical event.
    To register, click here
                                     

    (5) PACHC 2015 Annual Conference and Clinical Summit: October 6 - 8 Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square

    (6) 2015 Rural Health Conference
    Navigating the Present and Building the Future of Rural Health 
    October 29-30, 2015
    Emergency Preparedness Events: 

      Barrier Precautions and Controls for Highly Infectious Disease
                    Target Audience/Disciplines
                    The target audience for this course is emergency medical services, healthcare, and public health professionals with a requirement to triage, transport, and treat persons with a highly           infectious disease.
                    Overview
    The Barrier Precautions and Controls for Highly Infectious Disease (BPCHID) course is a 3 day course which provides the student with the best practice knowledge and skill for triaging, transporting, transferring, treating, and managing persons with highly infectious diseases. Students participate in a guided discussion of best practices for managing and treating persons with a highly infectious disease from identification or presentation through conclusion and final outcome of treatment. Students receive demonstrations and practical experience in the proper donning and doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE) required to prevent provider and other patient contamination. At the conclusion students conduct a series of patient management and treatment exercises in a realistic healthcare setting to include presentation at an emergency room and treatment in a hospital isolation ward using best practice barrier precautions and infection control procedures.
     
                    Week Offered
    ·  Dec 13-18
     
    The online application process is now available.
    You'll need your FEMA SID and password to apply.

    There is a possible Measles Outbreak being investigated in Maryland. 
    The Baltimore County Department of Health, Baltimore City Health Department, and DHMH are currently investigating a possible case of measles in a Baltimore County resident.  The patient presented with a febrile rash illness that was clinically diagnosed as measles.  Specimens tested at the DHMH Laboratories Administration were IgM positive but PCR negative. Given the discrepant laboratory results, we consulted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Specimens will be forwarded to CDC for additional testing that may help confirm or rule out measles, but CDC recommended proceeding as if this is confirmed measles while test results are pending.
    Baltimore County and Baltimore City are identifying and managing contacts, including persons who were in the Sinai Hospital ED on Thursday, August 6.  However it is possible that other local health departments might get questions about possible exposures to measles.  The case patient would have been potentially infectious from August 1 to August 9. 
    Key messages to the public:
    • The measles virus is highly contagious to susceptible persons. It is spread through the air when someone with measles coughs or sneezes (and by direct contact with infected nose or throat secretions). The virus can remain contagious in the environment for up to 2 hours
    • Symptoms to look for include:
      • o   Rash that starts on the face and neck and then spreads. The rash fades in the order which it appears.
      • o   High fever
      • o   Runny nose
      • o   Red, watery eyes
      • o   Cough (sometimes like croup)
      • o   Small red spots, with blue and white centers inside the mouth (Koplik spots)
    • Infants, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of measles complications.
    • Measles immunization may be effective as prophylaxis for contacts if given within 72 hours of exposure.  If vaccine cannot be given, immune globulin may be administered to high risk susceptible persons within 6 days of exposure.   If outside the window for prophylaxis, contacts should be monitored for the development of symptoms consistent with measles.
    • Measles is considered a serious health risk to those who have NOT been fully vaccinated with two doses of MMR administered on or after the first birthday, do not have physician-diagnosed history of measles, or a titer indicating immunity.
    • Unvaccinated individuals should consult their healthcare providers or their local health department if they do not have a healthcare provider.
    • Person with a rash, fever and symptoms consistent with measles should first notify their doctor or a hospital emergency department prior to presenting, so appropriate infection control measures can be implemented.
    Suspect measles cases should be reported to DHMH immediately at (410)767-6679 or after hours by calling 410-795-7365.

         Do you have a personal preparedness kit yet? Sign up ASAP for this free workshop taught by Hopkins to learn about preparedness planning and to walk away with supplies and resources for your kit: http://1.usa.gov/1HVe1SZ

    How Prepared Is Your Community for an Emergency? 

    Download the kit checklist: 

    Family communication and evacuation plan: 


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    ATTENTION MD FQHCS 
     
    1. MACHC's Table Top Exercise (see slides attached) After Action Report Improvement Plan (AARIP). Please find AARIP attached here. Additionally, the Situational Manual discussed during the discussion is attached here. 

    2. DHMH Satellite Phone Recall FQHCs that still have the satellite phones distributed by DHMH 4 years ago, please send them back to: 
    L. Kay Webster, MPH
    Office of Preparedness & Response
    Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
    300 W. Preston Street, Ste. 202
    Baltimore, MD  21201 
    3. Please get in touch with your Regional Coordinators if you have not already done so and be more active in your Regional Coalition. You should already have their contacts in emails I have sent within this year numerous times. Please find them below: 
     
    Regions I and II Health Care Coalition 
    [Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington Counties]
    Alison Robinson
    Allegany County Health Department
    12501 Willowbrook Road
    Cumberland, MD  21502
    301-759-5238 (Office)
    443-934-2232 (Mobile)
    301-777-2069 (Fax)
    alison.robinson@maryland.gov 

     
    [Baltimore City; Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard Counties]
    Edward Johnson
    Harford County Health Department
    120 S. Hays Street, Suite 230
    Bel Air, MD  21014 
    410-877-1031 (Office)
    443-388-6290 (Mobile)
          
    Region IV -
    [Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester Counties]
    Kristin McMenamin
    Kent County Health Department
    A.F. Whitsitt Center
    300 Scheeler Road, P.O. Box 229
    Chestertown, MD  21620
    410-778-4861 (Office)
    443-690-3091 (Mobile)
    410-778-4862 (Fax)

     
    NEW REGION V COORDINATOR
    Region V  Emergency Preparedness Coalition
    [Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George's and St. Mary's Counties]
    Casey Owens
    Office of Preparedness & Response
    Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
    300 W. Preston Street, Ste. 202
    Baltimore, MD  21201 
    casey.owens@maryland.gov

     
    4. Find ATTACHED (Please click here) the guide was developed to provide hospitals in California with a useful tool for developing and implementing effective respiratory protection programs, with an emphasis on protecting health care workers from aerosol transmissible diseases. It was prepared by the Occupational Health Branch (OHB) of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) with funding from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOS H) National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL).  It sure looks like something that we can perhaps modify for Maryland.   
    , you will find the template for setting up a respiratory protection program in hospitals.  

    5. MACHC conducted two FQHCs with Planning for Onsite Drill/Exercise in February 5th & 6th, 2015. The follow up call with ALL MACHC member health centers and partners was held Thursday, March 12th. Due to the large file size of Active Shooter documents, an email to all attendees and FQHC POIs was sent out. Please alert Aneeqa Chowdhury (aneeqa@machc.com) if you have not received the link.

    6. MACHC provided support to all Baltimore Health Centers during the Baltimore Riots end of April-May 2015. We thank all of our member FQHCs and partners for the support and seamless communication which created transparency and effective communication of needs during the pressing time. Please email us at MACHC if you have any comments regarding the events that occurred. 

     
    *** Look for the latest EP related updates RIGHT HERE!
    Policy, Advocacy and Legislation
    National News
    Million Hearts is a national initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. Million Hearts brings together communities, health systems, nonprofit organizations, federal agencies, and private-sector partners from across the country to fight heart disease and stroke.
    Applications are currently being accepted for the Hypertension Control Challenge which identifies and recognizes even more Hypertension Control Champions. Clinicians, practices, and health systems that provide continuing care and have achieved hypertension control rates greater than 70% are eligible to enter.
    Health centers that have been named as Hypertension Control Champions are recognized with a badge on their Health Center Program UDS profile.  

    New Health Center Program National Cooperative Agreements 
    Today, HRSA awarded approximately $3 million for 3 new National Cooperative Agreements (NCA) to provide technical assistance under the Health Center Program. The awardees receiving funding are as follows:
    o   Health IT/Data NCA: John Snow, Inc. (JSI) will use this funding to disseminate health center best practices based on Uniform Data System (UDS) data.
    o   Oral Health NCA: The National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) will use this funding to provide training to health centers to increase access to primary oral health care services for underserved populations.  
    o   Workforce Development NCA: Community Health Center, Inc. (CHCI) will use this funding to increase the number of health centers engaged in health professions training and team-based practice models.

    New Health Center and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Program Dual Locator Tool 
    HRSA launched a "Find a Health Center and Find a Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Center" dual locator widget that allows health care providers, migratory and seasonal agricultural workers, and other mobile populations to find their nearest health center and/or nearest head start program by simply entering a city, state, or ZIP code into the widget. To use:
    1. Go to the HRSA's Data Warehouse webpage.
    2. Go to "Data by Tool" box and select "Widgets". 
    3. Select the "Find a Health Center" and "Find Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Center" widgets one at the time.
    4. Download the "Widgets" and save in my favorites list on your mobile phone or computer website list for quick access. 

    Lawmakers Examine Whether Antiabortion Videos Broke Laws
    Congressional Democrats are examining whether the antiabortion group that released videos of Planned Parenthood Federation of America officials discussing fetal tissue broke state or federal laws. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D., Md.) on Thursday sent a letter to the antiabortion group the Center for Medical Progress. Mr. Cummings, the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is looking into whether the organization sought charitable donations by posing as a nonprofit and whether the group secretly recorded Planned Parenthood employees without their consent. 

    Health Outreach Partners (HOP) is hosting a series of 10-15 minute "Coffee Break" pre-recorded webinars.  These mini webinars provide information on topics such as: "Leveraging Outreach to Support the Patient-Centered Medical Home" and "Common Mistakes When Planning Health Outreach Programs."
    As heroin overdoses and deaths soar in many parts of the nation, the White House plans to announce on Monday an initiative that will for the first time pair public health and law enforcement in an effort to shift the emphasis from punishment to the treatment of addicts.The experiment, initially funded for one year in 15 states from New England to the Washington, D.C., area, will pair drug intelligence officers with public health coordinators to trace where heroin is coming from, how and where it is being laced with a deadly additive, and who is distributing it to street-level dealers." 
    When Congress debated the Affordable Care Act back in 2009, the legislation included a provision that would have allowed Medicare to reimburse doctors when they meet with patients to talk about end-of-life care. Amid the ensuing political uproar, Congress deleted the provision. Right now, Medicare pays for this sort of advanced care planning only if it happens during the first visit for new Medicare enrollees. But now the government is proposing that Medicare reimburse doctors for including these conversations in their practice, whenever they occur.
     An unprecedented House lawsuit against President Obama that was once derided as a certain loser looks stronger now and may soon deliver an early legal round to Republican lawmakers complaining of executive branch overreach. A federal judge is expected to decide shortly whether to dismiss the suit, but thanks to an amended complaint and a recent Supreme Court ruling, the Republican-backed case has a much better chance of proceeding, attorneys agree. At issue is whether the House may sue in court to defend its constitutionally granted "power of the purse" if the president spends money that was not appropriated by Congress. The lawsuit alleges that Obama's top aides quietly claimed the power to spend $178 billion over the next decade to reimburse health insurers for covering the cost of co-payments for low-income people who buy subsidized insurance under the Affordable Care Act. 
    The release of videos about Planned Parenthood is spurring state legislative efforts to ban or restrict use of fetal tissue for medical studies and treatments. Republicans in Arizona, California, Ohio, New Jersey and Wisconsin have introduced bills or taken action to restrict or oversee fetal tissue-pitting antiabortion advocates who say the practice of using it in research is immoral against scientists who say it is vital for breakthroughs that save lives
    Scott Walker Unveils Health-Care Plan  
    Republican presidential candidate Scott Walker proposed replacing President Barack Obama's signature health-care law with a system that eliminates many federal mandates and provides tax credits for the uninsured based on age-not income or family status. The centerpiece of the Wisconsin governor's plan is an annual tax credit that would help people pay for policies on the private market if they don't have employer-provided health insurance and want to be covered. 
    State News
    DELAWARE
    Next Delaware Healthcare Comission Meeting is on September 3rd at 9am --- DelTech Terry Campus
    Imates in the Delaware County jail will continue to receive mental health services under the provisions of a new contract.
    The county commissioners this week approved a contract with Muncie counselor Bobby Hatfield for "administering, managing and supervising" mental health care to inmates at the jail.
    Hatfield - who had earlier been awarded a contract for jail mental health services in 2014 - will also train jail intake and correctional officers, Sheriff Ray Dudley told the commissioners.
    MARYLAND
     For the first time this year, a person in the Baltimore area has West Nile virus. Now health officials have issued a warning about mosquito-borne illnesses.
    Meghan McCorkell explains how they're fighting those risks.
    Health officials aren't saying much about the person who contracted West Nile virus, just that it's an adult living in the Baltimore region.
    As more people are getting outside in these last weeks of summer, more mosquitoes are also out.
    "They always bite you. They get red and all kinds of stuff. It's very nasty," said Michelle Corn.
    Now a person in the Baltimore area has contracted West Nile virus, which is spread by mosquitoes.
    Finance & Business
    Americans Favor Government Action On Drug Prices  
    Just over half of Americans (54 percent) are currently taking a prescription drug. While most say their drugs are easy to afford, consumers in general (72 percent) believe drug costs are unreasonable, according to the poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent part of the foundation.) More people (51 percent) think competition would do a better job of controlling prices than federal regulation (40 percent). But large majorities said they would favor allowing Medicare to negotiate with companies on prices and allowing people to buy medicines imported from Canada. 

     
    Samsung will make its first entry into U.S. stock markets with an anticipated $1 billion listing of its biotechnology affiliate, according to people familiar with the matter, marking a major step in the South Korean conglomerate's foray into a new industry outside its better-known electronics business. The listing of Samsung Bioepis Co. on the Nasdaq Stock Market will allow the company to raise money as it pours billions of dollars into research and development and production facilities to tap into the nascent and fast-growing field of biosimilars. Biosimilars are biotechnology drugs analogous to generic drugs. 
     
    Scott Walker, Marco Rubio and others are competing for the best plan to replace Obamacare, a unified theme among Republican presidential contenders. But there is growing evidence that even GOP voters are more concerned about curbing drug prices than dislodging the president's signature health program. In April, the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation was surprised by a poll showing more Republicans view drug prices as the No. 1 health care priority than repealing Obamacare. So the foundation looked further, asking Americans what steps they would back to reduce drug costs. 
    The
    Latest News on ACA
    OUR WORK CONTINUES

    Best Practices in ACA Outreach and Enrollment
    Learn from faith leaders who have conducted successful outreach and enrollment campaigns before and during open enrollment. On September 16, we will hear from Rev. Jeanette Salguero from the National Latino Evangelical Coalition. Rev. Salguero conducted successful outreach and enrollment using a one-stop-shop model. Rev. Salguero also specializes in reaching Latino populations. On October 8, we will hear from Abrar Quader from the Compassionate Care Network (CCN) which helped enroll people who are Muslim, Hindu and Sikh. CCN received a navigator grant from the Illinois state marketplace

    CMS has released a report on the number of consumers who signed up for coverage on HealthCare.gov using a special enrollment period (SEP) between February 23 and June 30, 2015. This report shows that individuals and families experience changes throughout the year that make them eligible for Marketplace coverage, and that SEPs are an important tool for helping consumers avoid coverage gaps. Additionally, assisters can use the report's "Glossary" to review the different types of SEPs available to consumers.

    NEW CMS Guidance Re-Establishes Same Timing for Renewal and Discontinuation of Coverage Notices
    Last year, CMS required health insurance companies planning to discontinue a health coverage product to send notice to consumers who had this coverage at the same time that they sent renewal notices for plans that would continue. This guidance also applies to the 2015-16 Open Enrollment Period.  Assisters can help consumers understand and act on the renewal or discontinuation notices starting on November 1, 2015.

    Assister Summer Webinar Schedule
    Please note that starting Friday, September 11, our summer schedule will end and assister webinars will resume taking place once a week. The schedule below reflects this change.
    • Friday, August 28, 2015
    • Friday, September 11, 2015
    • Friday, September 18, 2015
    • Friday, September 25, 2015
    Marketplace Call Center and SHOP Call Center Hours
    Health Insurance Marketplace Call Center: For customer service support, to start or finish an application, compare plans, enroll or ask a question. 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).  Available 24/7. Closed Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
    SHOP Call Center: For customer service support, including assisting employers and employees apply for and enroll in SHOP. 1-800-706-7893 (TTY: 711).  Available M-F 9:00 am-7:00 pm EST. 
    MACHC Conference Call Updates
    The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange is distributing a Request for Information (RFI) 
    to help determine how the current Connector program should change and improve for the future.
    The Exchange seeks input from a wide range of stakeholders, including existing Connector Entities and certified staff. We welcome detailed input into how the Exchange can best operationalize future Navigator functions and meet the requirements outlined in the Affordable Care Act and State law.
    The information collected through the RFI will be used to develop the requirements for the future Connector program. The RFI is composed of an online survey, which can be accessed here: Connector Program Survey.
    Comments and additional materials can be submitted by email at connector.mhbe@maryland.gov. Please use "Stakeholder Feedback" as the subject.
    Responses must be received by 5 PM Eastern time on Tuesday, September 8, 2015.

    Join MACHC's next O/E Call on September 11th!  (see events section for full details)
    As you are aware, there have been some changes for the 2016 ACA Open Enrollment Period. With these changes come the need for client recertification through the MD Healthcare Exchange. This mandate presents opportunities for the FQHC's to get a head start on their enrollment counseling. For this year's campaign, MACHC is working with Patrice Wallace again on a new broadcast and print creative; and, a new radio format that will not only reach our target demos but will enhance the diversity of the demos. Please attend the call for some more details.

    The application period for new ACSE's has been extended! 
    The new dead-line is August 15, 2015. If you have questions regarding your application, please contact Jody Hartzell at jody.hartzell@maryland.gov
    In addition the application is now a Word Document that will be sent to the email acse.cac@maryland.gov. As we were experiencing website application problems, this new submission process will allow the submitter to know the application was received.
    ACSE Application for new entities:

    CAC Application for new application counselors: http://www.marylandhbe.com/certified-application-counselor-application/


    CAC Training Steps:
    Please see the attached instructions for the HUB.
    CREATE ACCOUNT IN THE HUB - All certified staff, including new applicants and returning application counselors and certified application counselors must create or re-activate an account on THE HUB Learning Management System.  THE HUB will deliver all web-based training, including the updated policy training (available in August 2015) which is mandatory for all certified staff.  Certified staff will also use THE HUB to register for any non-mandatory training and to register to take the on-site proctored exam. 


     
    Maryland--Call Center Note:
    Direct Line for Navigators and CAC to MHBE Call Center--Regarding the Call Center # 844-224-6762 It should be noted that: If you need customer assistance from the call center, CAC's should call this number.
    Grants & Funding Opportunities



    BPHC released the FY 2016 SAC funding opportunity announcement (HRSA-16-005) for service areas with a March 1, 2016 project period start date. 
    Application Deadline:  due in Grants.gov by 11:59 pm, ET, August 17; EHB by 5:00 pm, Sept 1
    The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) released the FY 2016 SAC Funding Opportunity Announcement (HRSA-10-003) for service areas with a January 1, 2016 project period start date. Technical assistance materials for applicants, including frequently asked questions, are available on the SAC webpage.

    CMS Million Hearts Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk Reduction Model Test
    Application Deadline:  September 10, 2015
    The Million Hearts® model supports both the Million Hearts' goal to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes and CMS' objective to identify and spread better models of care delivery and payment.  This model aims to improve quality while maintaining budget neutrality for Medicare beneficiaries ages 18-79 who have not had a previous heart attack or stroke.  For more information, click here.

    HRSA is pleased to announce the release of the Fiscal Year 2016 Substance Abuse Service Expansion Funding Opportunity Announcement (HRSA-16-074). This funding opportunity will provide approximately $100 million through competitive supplements to support an estimated 300 existing health centersto improve and expand the delivery of substance use disorder services, with a focus on medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.
    Applications are due in Grants.gov by September 28, 2015 at 11:59pm, ET. Required supplemental information must be submitted via HRSA EHBs by October 14, 2015, 5:00pm, ET. 

    Application Deadline: None  
    Eligible state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations, including health centers, can obtain property that the federal government no longer needs through the Federal Surplus Personal Property Donation Program.

    Application Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
    Funding for hunger prevention, self-sufficiency, healthcare, and education to those who are underserved. 

    Application Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
    Provides seed funding to emerging nonprofits, or to new projects of established organizations in the areas of education; environment; health and human services; and hunger and nutrition. Pennsylvania is one of 13 eligible states.

    Application Deadline:  Applications Accepted on an Ongoing Basis
    The Community Response Fund supports organizations, activities, and events that address access to needed oral health care and community resources that improve oral health. Programs that address an immediate response to an urgent issue that impacts access to clinical care, provide short-term access to needed care for the underserved, or sustain organizations experiencing short-term challenges are the focus. A limited number of program concepts that provide longer term solutions or essential services for particularly underserved populations will also be considered. The program will also support Missions of Mercy clinics.

     
    National Training and Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement (NCA) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) (HRSA-15-140) - HRSA released Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 NCA FOA (HRSA-15-140)  which will provide approximately $3 million  to support 3-4 awards to national organizations that will provide training and technical assistance to potential and existing Health Center Program grantees and look-alikes. The organizations will provide training in the areas of oral health services, health information technology and data, and clinical workforce development.
    Applications are due to Grants.gov by Monday, June 1, 2015. This NCA funding opportunity is a Grants.gov only application. 

    Rural Health Funding Opportunities

    Wrigley Company Foundation Community Service Grant
    Application deadline: Oct 1, 2015
    Provides funding to dental hygienists for projects aimed at improving oral health or providing oral health education.
     
    Walmart Foundation Community Grant Program
    Application deadline: Dec 31, 2015
    Grants to support the needs of local communities in the areas of hunger, nutrition, women's economic empowerment, career opportunities, and sustainability.

    Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grants to community collaborations and initiatives that have used shared data and information to increase their capacity for planning, implementing, and evaluating health improvement activities. These community collaborations would be part of a nationwide learning collaborative that would create a cadre of lessons learned and promising practices.

    Community Response Fund
    The Community Response Fund supports organizations, activities, and events that address access to needed oral healthcare and community resources that improve oral health. Programs that address an immediate response to an urgent issue that impacts access to clinical care, provide short-term access to needed care for the underserved, or sustain organizations experiencing short-term challenges are the focus. A limited number of program concepts that provide longer term solutions or essential services for particularly underserved populations will also be considered. The program will also support Missions of Mercy clinics.
    DEADLINE: ongoing basis
    ELIGABILITY: The DentaQuest Foundation makes grants to a variety of organizations that are engaged improving oral health. Grants are not made to individuals.
    CONTACT: Matthew Bond, Grants and Programs Manager: Matthew.Bond@DentaQuestFoundation.org 

    Substance Abuse Service Expansion
    Funds to support the improvement or expansion of substance abuse services in existing Health Centers, with a specific focus on treatment of opioid use disorders in underserved populations. Programs should establish a new, or enhance an existing, integrated primary care/behavioral health model of care in order to coordinate the services necessary for patients to achieve and sustain recovery.
    Total funding available: $100,000,000
    Number of awards: Up to 310 awards
    Award amount: Up to $325,000 per year for 2 years
    DEADLINE: Sep. 28, 2015
    ELIGABILITY: Existing Health Center Program award recipients that currently receive funding under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. Health Centers that received new start/new award funding in FY 2015 are not eligible to apply.
    CONTACT: For business, administrative, or fiscal questions:
    Joi Grymes-Johnson
    jgrymes@hrsa.gov
    301.443-2632
    For programmatic or technical assistance questions:
    Shannon McDevitt
    bphcsa@hrsa.gov
    301.594.4300

    340B Peer-to-Peer Program
    The purpose of the 340B Peer-to-Peer Network is to connect 340B entities and stakeholders with high performing sites, called leading practice sites that have exemplary 340B pharmacy service offerings. These sites serve as guides for covered entities that are interested in improving patient care. This approach provides the opportunity for practice sites to reach their peers and strengthen the 340B program from inventory management to quality care initiatives.
    Sites that receive the status of a 340B Peer-to-Peer recognized site will be asked to dedicate two members of their team to share their expertise and leading practices - for a limited amount of time per month - with other safety-net organizations to help these organizations achieve results and establish sound business practices.
    FUNDING AVALIABLE: Peer-to-Peer annual stipends of $10,000/year
    ELIGABILITY: Applications must be submitted by a 340B entity listed on the Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) 340B database as a participating 340B entity.
    Healthcare Connect Fund
    The Healthcare Connect Fund provides funding to healthcare providers for telecommunications and internet access services, as well as network equipment, at a flat discounted rate of 65%. Participants can apply as a member of the consortium or a stand-alone entity.
     
    FUNDING AVAILABLE: Participants will receive a flat rate discount of 65%. There is an annual spending cap of $400,000,000.
    ELIGIBLITY: Rural public or nonprofit healthcare providers (HCPs) are eligible. Consortia may be comprised of both rural and non-rural HCPs. All consortia must consist of more than 50% rural participation within three years of receipt of the first funding commitment obtained through the HCF Program. Connections to, and equipment located at, eligible off-site data centers and administrative offices are eligible for support.
    CONTACT: rhc-assist@usac.org

    USAC Rural Health Care Telecommunications Program
    Health care providers are permitted to apply to receive reduced rates for a variety of telecommunications services under the Rural Health Care Program. Health care providers may seek support for multiple telecommunications services of any bandwidth and for monthly Internet service charges.
     
    FUNDING AVALIABLE: The level of support depends on the HCP's location and the type of service chosen. Health Care Providers are permitted to apply to receive reduced rates for a variety of telecommunication services under the RHCD program. HCPs may seek support for multiple telecommunications services of any bandwidth.

    As a result of recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) action, health care participants may be eligible to receive a 25% discount on their monthly Internet service charges. These services are limited to the monthly Internet net access charge, monthly charges for web hosting and web addresses.
    ELIGIBILITY: Community health centers or health centers providing health care to migrants
    CONTACT: rhc-admin@universalservice.org

    Wells Fargo Corporate Giving Programs
    Wells Fargo supports nonprofit organizations that work on a community level in the areas of human services, arts and culture, community development, civic responsibility, education, environmental consciousness, and volunteerism.
    CONTACT: Ashley Williams -- Community Support Rep -- Wells Fargo
    ashley.l.williams@wellsfargo.com   

    Anthem Foundation Grants
    Anthem Foundation Grants (formerly known as WellPoint Foundation grants) support health and wellness programs in 25 states. MARYLAND!
    DEADLINE: August 28, 2015
    Priority areas include programs that promote:
    *Healthy hearts, including prevention and wellness programs that address  cardiovascular diseases and  strokes, smoking, obesity, hypertension, and stressful and sedentary lifestyles
    *Cancer prevention and early detection
    *Diabetes prevention
    *Healthy maternal practices
    *Healthy, active lifestyles
     
    Maryland Small Grants Program
    The Maryland Small Grants Program awards funding to nonprofit organizations that provide direct services to poor and vulnerable populations.
    FUNDING AVALIABLE: Award Ceiling: $50,000
    CONTACT: Amy Kleine, Program Director, Basic Human Needs
    410-654-8500, ext. 268
    Email: akleine@hjweinberg.org

    Delaware Collaborative Grants
    Delaware Collaborative Grants will offer funding for programs involving a collaboration of two or more nonprofits within a single county.
    A broad range of projects have been supported including:
    *Sexual abuse prevention
    *Financial empowerment programs
    *Anti-hunger coalitions
    *Aging networks
    *Homelessness prevention services offered through a community health center
    DEADLINE: Sep. 15, 2015
    AVALIABLE FUNDING: Award Ceiling: $100,000
    CONTACT: Beth Bouchelle
    302.504.5239
    bbouchelle@delcf.org

    Accelerating Community-Centered Approaches in Health
    Accelerating Community-Centered Approaches in Health will support innovative population health programs and policies that work to improve health at the community level, including the use of new financial models to achieve cost effective solutions.
    CONTACT: Phone: 248.643.9630
     

    Commonwealth Fund Health Grants
    The Commonwealth Fund promotes a high performing healthcare system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for society's most vulnerable, including people with low-incomes, the uninsured, minority Americans, young children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.
    The Fund supports independent research on healthcare issues and makes grants to improve healthcare practice and policy. The Commonwealth Fund actively seeks to support projects on innovative approaches to addressing problems within its areas of focus.
    CONTACT: Email: grants@cmwf.org
    Phone: 212.606.3800

    USDA Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program
    The USDA Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program provides loans, grants, and loan guarantees for essential community facilities in rural areas. Priority is given to healthcare, education, and public safety projects. Funds may be used to construct, enlarge, or improve facilities.
    AVALIABLE FUNDING: Amount varies. Grants are authorized on a graduated scale. Applicants located in small communities with low populations and low incomes will receive a higher percentage of grants.
    CONTACT: Bill McGowan, State Director
    1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200
    Dover, DE  19904
    Voice: (302) 857-3580 www.rd.usda.gov/de
    www.rd.usda.gov/md
    Shared Services Corner 
    Check out the comprehensive Credentialing Checklist. This can help your health center adhere to all the regulations,receive the payments at the appropriate time and forecast any financial constraints due to credentialing early.

    MACHC now offers  a myriad of Shared Services for member convenience. 
    Please check out the attached flier for additional details on the services  offered.
    Clinical Quality 
    The overall quality and safety of health care are improving. But which states are showing the most improvement in which areas of care? AHRQ's annual State Snapshots provide easy-to-read charts on the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for improvement in each state and the District of Columbia. The State Snapshots allow users to analyze data from their state in various ways, including types and settings of care, or by select clinical conditions, insurance status, access to care and priority populations. Data are drawn from the 2014 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report, which is compiled from more than 200 quality measures and represents the nation's most complete source of data on the use and cost of health care and health insurance coverage. Trend data for most measures span from 2000-2002 to 2010-2012. 

    According to New Study Plain-language descriptions can help uninsured adults make informed decisions on selecting health insurance coverage, according to an AHRQ-funded study published in Medical Decision Making. In one of the first studies to test such strategies among uninsured Americans, many of whom are now choosing among insurance plans offered through state and federal health exchanges, researchers surveyed 343 participants from urban, suburban and rural areas on their knowledge and preferences for health plan features and plan choices after viewing sample plans. They reviewed one of three tools: (1) a plain-language table, (2) a plain-language table with graphics that allowed participants to choose which information to view and in what order or (3) a plain-language table with five vignettes on how others used and rated the health plans. Participants across groups selected health plans that matched their preferences for key insurance features. Researchers suggested that health plan materials include plain-language tables and definitions of health insurance terms while being formatted to allow participants to compare health plan features

    Cleaning of hard surfaces in hospital rooms is a critical step to reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections, but there is little evidence about what cleaning methods work best, according to a new AHRQ-funded report. The report, "Environmental Cleaning for the Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections," includes a review of 80 clinical studies from the last 25 years that address environmental cleaning of high-touch surfaces in hospital rooms to reduce Clostridium difficile, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). The researchers found limited studies that directly compare disinfection methods, monitoring strategies or implementation efforts. To advance research in this area, recommendations for future areas of study include examination and comparison of emerging strategies, inclusion of patient colonization and infection rates as outcomes and identification of surfaces posing the greatest risk of pathogen transmission. 
    Health Observances This Week

     
    What is psoriasis?
    Psoriasis isn't contagious, but awareness is. 
    Psoriasis is a chronic, noncontagious, genetic autoimmune disease that appears on the skin in red, scaly patches that itch, crack and bleed. It is the most common autoimmune disease in the country, affecting approximately 7.5 million Americans.
    Up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory type of arthritis that causes pain and swelling of the joints and tendons. People with mild psoriasis are just as likely to develop psoriatic arthritis as those with moderate to severe psoriasis.

    What causes psoriasis?
    Genetics and the immune system play a major role in the disease. In people with psoriasis, the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth of skin cells.
    To develop psoriasis, a person must have a combination of the genes that cause psoriasis and be exposed to external "triggers." Triggers include stress; injury to the skin, such as a tattoo or a scrape; smoking; and certain infections.
    There is no cure for psoriasis, but many treatment options are available. Treatment is individualized for each person and depends on the severity of the disease, the type of psoriasis and how the person reacts to certain treatments.
    Psoriasis takes an emotional, physical toll
    Despite its prevalence, psoriasis is widely misunderstood. People with psoriasis often face discrimination because others incorrectly fear it is contagious. Studies show that people with psoriasis report higher levels of anxiety, embarrassment and depression. In a National Psoriasis Foundation study, more than half the respondents said psoriasis impacts with their ability to enjoy life.
    In addition to the psychological and social impact of psoriasis, psoriasis increases risk for other serious health conditions. These include heart disease, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, Crohn's disease, hypertension, obesity and depression.
    National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board urges people with psoriasis to work with their doctors to watch for the potential onset of any health issues related to psoriasis.
    Learn more about psoriasis, its associated health risks, treatment options and ways to effectively manage the disease athttp://www.psoriasis.org/.

    Get involved for Psoriasis Awareness Month
    If you have psoriasis or love someone who does, show us your life with psoriasis-with its challenges, breakthroughs, frustrations and achievements-by submitting a photo to our Life with Psoriasis Photo Contest for Psoriasis Awareness Month. To participate, visit:http://www.psoriasisawarenessmonth.org/.

    Research to find a cure
    National Psoriasis Foundation has grown to be the world's largest nonprofit patient advocacy organization serving people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and the largest charitable funder of psoriatic disease research worldwide. Finding a cure for psoriatic diseases is the Foundation's highest priority. In 2012, the Psoriasis Foundation awarded more than $2 million in research grants and medical research fellowships to scientists studying psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis-the most dollars and grants in the organization's history.
    In addition to its grant program, the Psoriasis Foundation hosts the National Psoriasis Victor Henschel BioBank, the world's largest collection of psoriasis DNA used by scientists for genetic research into psoriatic diseases.
    Learn more about the NPF and its investment in cutting-edge research at www.psoriasis.org/research.
    Has your FQHC joined the National Branding Campaign?

     

    With more than 43 billion people  eligible to enroll in private insurance starting this October 1, FQHCs strive to create an identifiable unifying identity for themselves. This is where the National Branding Campaign for Our Health Centers comes into place. 

    The campaign is a national branding effort to strengthen recognition of our Health Centers as a unified and nationwide network of quality community-based primary care providers.  Initially created at the state level by the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) and its membership, the National Association of Community Health Centers has expanded the campaign nationwide.

     

    The FQHC Brand Components  

    MACHC recently hosted a Branding Webinar for MD and DE Health Centers with CEO of PACHC, Cheri Reinhart and Event and Communications Coordinator, Kirsten Keyes, as guest speakers. If you missed the webinar and would like access, please click here.

    Mid-Atlantic Association of Community Health Centers | | aneeqa@machc.com |
    4319 Forbes Blvd. Lanham, MD 20706    |    www.machc.com    |    301.577.0097
     

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