What's New
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in Response to Executive Order 13937
Last week, HHS released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in response to Executive Order 13937: Access to Affordable Life-Saving Medications.
On Friday, July 24, the President signed a series of new Executive Orders (EO 13937, EO 13938, EO 13939) to lower the price of prescription drugs. The NPRM is to increase access to affordable insulin and injectable epinephrine for low-income Americans in health centers nationwide. See the related fact sheet.
The NPRM is available for public comment for 30 days. Interested parties can submit comments electronically to the Federal eRulemaking Portal by following the instructions. Comments must be identified by HHS Docket No. HRSA-2020-0004.
National Advisory Council on Migrant Health to Meet in October
The National Advisory Council on Migrant Health (NACMH) will hold a four-day virtual meeting Tuesday, October 20, through Friday, October 23. The event is open to the public. Visit the NACMH page on our website to register or see the agenda.
The Council advises and makes recommendations to the HHS Secretary on policy, program development, and other topics related to migrant health centers and other organizations that serve migratory and seasonal agricultural workers and their families.
The Council will meet to discuss COVID-19’s impact on this population, injury prevention, toxic stress in children of migratory and seasonal agricultural workers, and other topics. HRSA leadership will provide a Health Center Program update.
Quarterly 340B Program Registration
Quarterly 340B Program site registration is open from October 1 to 15. Health centers will be able to register a site that has been verified as implemented and with a site status reflected as “active” in EHBs Form 5B through Friday, November 27. After that date, the system will close to prepare for the January 1, 2021 start.
Email the 340B Prime Vendor Program or call 888-340-2787 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ET) to register a new site or ask questions. You will need to provide the following information when calling:
- Health center name.
- Site/clinic name.
- Site IDs for all sites.
- HRSA/BPHC grant number.
- Contact name and email address.
- Authorizing official name and email address.
The authorizing official will receive an email message that the account is unlocked and a registration may be submitted.
NEW Telehealth Resource for Reporting UDS Clinical Quality Measures
In response to evolving telehealth policies and broader adoption and implementation, HRSA developed a new resource to assist health centers in determining how telehealth services impact clinical quality measure reporting in UDS. This resource aligns with CMS’ Telehealth Guidance for Electronic Clinical Quality Measures.
Proposed Updates to the Service Area Needs Assessment Methodology and Unmet Need Score
Join us for a webinar to learn about proposed updates to the Service Area Needs Assessment Methodology and the Unmet Need Score (UNS). We used the initial UNS in the 2019 New Access Points funding opportunity to quantify unmet need for preventive and primary care services in proposed service areas. For more background information, visit our Strategic Initiatives webpage.
The webinar will provide an overview of the initial UNS and proposed updates for the next version of the UNS, including possible measure additions and deletions and other modifications based on feedback from stakeholders. The session will also provide stakeholders with an opportunity to ask questions and share feedback.
Wednesday, September 30
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
Call-in: 888-282-9633
Passcode: 2271888
Safely Deliver Flu Vaccines to Your Patients
Due to COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to protect patients and communities from influenza. CDC is working to make sure patients can get vaccinated in a safe setting that minimizes risk of exposure to COVID-19 or other diseases. See their “Interim Guidance For Immunization Services During The COVID-19 Pandemic.”
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recently updated its recommendations for prevention and control of seasonal flu with vaccines for the 2020-2021 flu season, recommending influenza vaccination of persons aged ≥6 months.
Final Week: 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule Open for Public Comment
CMS released the calendar year 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule. Comments are due on the proposed rule by Monday, October 5. CMS seeks public input on telehealth services that should be permanently added to the telehealth list beyond the public health emergency. Submit a comment.
Deadline This Week: STI National Strategic Plan for Public Comment
HHS coordinated development of the first-ever STI National Strategic Plan to address the nation’s sexually transmitted infections (STI) epidemic. They have published a Request for Information in the Federal Register to solicit input on the draft STI National Strategic Plan. HHS seeks input from a broad mix of stakeholders on whether the plan’s goals, objectives, and strategies appropriately address the STI epidemic and whether there are any critical gaps. Submit comments by 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 1.
Draft Viral Hepatitis National Strategic Plan 2021-2025
HHS also invites public comment on a viral hepatitis national strategic plan that provides a framework to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Comment by 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 8.
COVID-19
HHS Strategy to Distribute COVID-19 Vaccine
HHS recently released its COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Strategy to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine following approval from the FDA. The documents provide a strategic distribution overview along with an interim playbook for state, tribal, territorial, and local public health programs and their partners on how to plan and operationalize a vaccination response to COVID-19 within their respective jurisdictions. The strategy directs state and local jurisdictions to work with health centers to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine supply, once available. We expect to see additional details for health centers over the weeks to come.
COVID-19 Health Center Survey – We Want to Hear from You
Have you completed this week’s survey to help us understand your needs and how we can help? Your feedback helps us understand the impact of COVID-19 on health center operations, patients, and staff, so we are better prepared to meet your needs for training, technical assistance, and funding.
Last week, 71% of health centers and 56% of Health Center Program look-alikes submitted data through the weekly COVID-19 survey. Thank you for continuing to share your invaluable insight!
The survey you received on Friday, September 25, is due by 11:59 p.m. your local time today. Questions on how to complete the survey? Check out our User Guide.
See the latest national summary reports:
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FAQs
We continually update our COVID-19 FAQs webpage. Other resources:
What Health Centers Need to Know about the CARES Act: An Interactive Resource Guide
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), passed on March 27, provides over $2 trillion in stimulus funding to combat the economic downturn due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Corporation for Supportive Housing, a HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partner (NTTAP), created an interactive resource guide for health centers. It focuses on CARES Act funding directed to states, local governments, and community organizations through the Department of Housing and Urban Development to support people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness.
Community Partnerships to Address the Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Residents of Public Housing
The National Nurse-Led Care Consortium (NNCC) and the National Center for Health in Public Housing, both HRSA-funded NTTTAPs, invite health centers to join a four-part learning collaborative to address the negative health impacts of COVID-19 in vulnerable populations.
The pandemic and its associated mitigation strategies are having significant psychosocial, behavioral, socioeconomic, and health impacts, which are exacerbated in populations that experience health disparities and other vulnerable groups. Those experiencing health disparities prior to the pandemic are at increased risk of infection and other COVID-19 related consequences, such as job loss, unpaid leave, and lost wages. Given the urgent need for prevention and mitigation strategies, there is also a need to leverage and scale existing partnerships, resources and platforms, and ongoing mitigation efforts within communities to attenuate adverse outcomes. Up to 4 CME/CNE credits are available for participation in this learning collaborative. Get more information or register now.
Identifying the Enabling Services Workforce for Social Determinants of Health Screening and Documentation
The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO), Health Outreach Partners, MHP Salud, and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) (all HRSA-funded NTTAPs) invite you to join this webinar and explore strategies to screen special and vulnerable populations for social determinants of health (SDOH) and build effective practices to begin addressing SDOH through enabling services. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, this training will highlight the critical importance for enabling service providers to collect social risk data among health center patients.
Wednesday, September 30
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Substance Use Disorder & Mental Health
Management of Alcohol Use Disorder
The HRSA-funded National Clinician Consultation Center presents an interactive webinar for health center clinicians. Unhealthy alcohol use remains a growing public health issue in the U.S., contributing significantly to the global burden of disease and posing challenges to the everyday practice of primary care. In this webinar, speakers will define the spectrum of unhealthy alcohol use and compare therapeutic approaches, focusing on pharmacological treatment options. They will also provide strategies for managing withdrawal, an especially important issue during COVID-19. Participants will be able to more confidently assess and care for patients with unhealthy alcohol use.
Thursday, October 22
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
HIV
Telehealth for HIV Care: A Follow-Up Discussion
This webinar is part of HRSA’s Telehealth Learning Webinar Series. The series’ goal is to highlight successful projects/best practices as well as resources to promote and further the use of telehealth technologies for health care delivery, education, and health information services.
Tuesday, September 29
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
**1.0 CME available**
Participants in this webinar will:
- Understand how telehealth is transforming access to quality care and treatment for people with HIV during COVID-19.
- Gain a deeper understanding of the telehealth technical resources available to care for HIV.
- Identify opportunities to leverage existing resources and infrastructure development to support the extension of telehealth services.
Webinar Recording Available: Ending the HIV Epidemic: USPSTF HIV Recommendations and PrEP Resources for Health Centers
Missed this recent webinar? Watch the recording to learn about the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s (USPSTF’s) Final Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Recommendations and PrEP implementation guidelines, as well as resources from The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, a HRSA-funded NTTAP. Experts shared the latest guidelines and recommendations for HIV screening and PrEP prescribing practices for HIV-negative patients that may be at risk for contracting HIV.
STI National Strategic Plan for Public Comment
See the announcement above.
Diabetes
Call for Applications: Integrating Diabetes and Oral Health Learning Collaborative
The National Network for Oral Health Access, a HRSA-funded NTTAP, invites health centers to participate in a virtual learning collaborative on integrating diabetes and oral health. The goal is to improve outcomes for people with diabetes by increasing the number of dual users of medical and dental services. Health center staff and dental care providers may benefit from this opportunity. Learn more or apply by noon Friday, October 9.
Workforce
HRSA's Virtual Job Fair
HRSA’s Virtual Job Fairs are free online recruitment events that connect students and clinicians with health care delivery organizations. Employer registration is closed, but job seekers may still register.
Wednesday, October 7
6:45-10:15 p.m. ET
Job seeker registration – If you are a health care professional seeking a career helping rural and underserved communities.
Oral Health
Updated Recommendations about the Use of Dental Amalgam
The FDA recently provided updated recommendations about the use of dental amalgam. This information has potentially a very large impact on dentistry, particularly public health dental programs.
Call for Applications: Integrating Diabetes and Oral Health Learning Collaborative
See the announcement above.
Telehealth
Patient Confidentiality and Telehealth Package for Health Centers
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), a HRSA-funded NTTAP, has produced a packet containing guidance on immediate and long-term telehealth/patient confidentiality questions relevant to health centers across the country. The resources provide risk management considerations for a sustainable telehealth program.
NEW Telehealth Resource for Reporting UDS Clinical Quality Measures
See the announcement above.
Telehealth for HIV Care: A Follow-Up Discussion
See the announcement above.
Additional Resources
Million Hearts® 2nd Edition Hypertension Control Change Package is Available
Million Hearts® 2022, a national initiative co-led by CDC and CMS, strives to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes within five years by focusing on undiagnosed hypertension, cholesterol management, and tobacco use.
CDC recently updated the Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Change Package (originally published in 2015) to include:
- Tested tools and resources used by Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Champions.
- More self-measured blood pressure (SMBP)-focused content, with tools and resources.
- More tools to find patients with potentially undiagnosed hypertension.
- New strategies that focus on chronic kidney disease testing and identification.
For additional resources from Million Hearts® 2022 and information on how your health center can become a partner, visit the Million Hearts® website.
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Culturally Competent Care Learning Collaborative
The National Center for Health in Public Housing, a HRSA-funded NTTAP, invites health centers to join a four-part learning collaborative to learn about the adoption of culturally and linguistically appropriate services. Participants will gain competencies to treat an increasingly diverse population. The interactive sessions will cover the fundamentals of cultural competency, language access, and building community partnerships through a combination of case studies and didactic learning.
Supporting Family Caregivers of Older Adults with Dementia
A learning collaborative from the National Center for Equitable Care for Elders will focus on skill-building in supportive care approaches for older adult patients with dementia and their caregivers. Participants will also have access to a one-year membership to the Center to Advance Palliative Care’s full library of online training courses at no charge, including free continuing education credit. Sessions begin in October. Learn more and apply today.
Early Bird Deadline Approaching: Possibilities, Probabilities and Creative Solutions Training
This training opportunity from NACHC is in partnership with the American College of Healthcare Executives. This highly interactive seminar (presented over three consecutive Mondays in October and November) will offer non-traditional approaches to health center leadership that can help spur the innovative thought needed to achieve better organizational results. Participants will learn approaches for overcoming staff member objections and techniques for stopping problems before they become even bigger ones.
Continuing education credit is available. NACHC offers a discounted registration fee for health center staff. Register by Friday, October 9, for an additional $100 discount.
Health Centers Are Ahead of the Game: How Patient-Centered Medical Home Aligns With HRSA Requirements
HRSA-funded health centers are ahead in the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognition process: Many PCMH procedures are included in the HRSA statutory and regulatory requirements. The PCMH model is integral to ensuring the highest quality health care! To find out more about PCMH and HRSA alignment, check out the National Committee for Quality Assurance PCMH Toolkit for Health Centers.
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