It’s National Health Center Week, COVID-19 Survey Update, HHS Secretary Visits Health Center

HRSA Health Center Program Primary Health Care Digest

August 6, 2024

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Thank You for Your Dedication and Hard Work!

Jim Macrae

Happy National Health Center Week! Your dedication, tireless efforts, and compassionate care make an incredible difference in the lives of individuals and families in your communities nationwide.

We commend your commitment to providing high-quality health care, even in the face of seemingly ceaseless challenges. From ensuring access to essential primary health care to offering support and comfort to those in need, you embody the core values of our mission every day. Your collective efforts improve health outcomes and foster a sense of belonging and trust within your communities.

The Biden-Harris Administration recently recognized and celebrated your work in a proclamation (read it on the White House website). We’ve also created a new video showcasing examples of the positive impact you all make. Please take a moment to watch it on HRSAtube.

In 2023, a record-breaking 31+ million people relied on HRSA-funded health centers for care.

NHCW 2024

Of these patients, 90% were at or below 200% of the poverty line. We announced the release of 2023 Uniform Data System (UDS) data yesterday. Read the press release. Learn more about the data in our 2023 UDS Data Trends Brief (PDF).

Be sure to visit HRSA social media (Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram) this week for data and stories of HRSA-supported health centers that are making great strides in providing high quality, primary health care.

Health centers are the crown jewel of the nation’s health care system. On behalf of BPHC, we’re so proud to work with you! Be sure to take some time — between all the things you must do — to enjoy this week’s celebrations! You deserve it!

With deepest gratitude,
Jim Macrae
BPHC Associate Administrator


Health Center COVID-19 Survey Ending Next Month

Megaphone

Our bulletin last Thursday announced the conclusion of this survey in September.

DUE THURSDAY! Health centers using HRSA COVID-19 Bridge funds are still required to complete the survey this and next month. The August 2 survey is due by 11:59 p.m. your local time on Thursday, August 8. Please ONLY report July data in this survey.

Our COVID-19 Data Collection Survey Tool User Guide can help you understand how to report. If you still have questions, use the BPHC Contact Form (COVID-19 > COVID-19 Surveys).


HHS Secretary Visits Pennsylvania Health Center

Becerra at Union Community Care Health Center

Last week, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra visited HRSA-funded Union Community Care Health Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He met with the staff and community leaders, who told him how vital the health center and the services it provides are to low-income residents. Health center leaders shared insights on what it’s like to be the sole source of medical care and pharmacy services for much of the community.

Read more in the LebTown newspaper coverage of the visit.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra (far left) greets (left to right) HHS Regional Director Melissa Herd, Union Community Care CEO Alisa Jones, and Union Community Care Chief Community Impact Officer James Reichenbach.


Did You Miss It?

Here are a few of our most popular items from July. Visit the online archive for recent Digest issues and bulletins:


Jump To: Workforce | Training Calendar


HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partners (NTTAPs) host or developed many of these events and resources. For more from the NTTAPs, visit the Health Center Resource Clearinghouse.


What's New

NAP NOFO Changes and Deadline Extension

New Access Points (NAP) funding supports new health center service delivery sites that expand primary health care for underserved communities. We plan to make NAP awards in fiscal year (FY) 2025, if funding is available. In last week’s Digest, we announced a modification to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and an extension of the Grants.gov deadline (now it’s 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, August 30). Access resources on the NAP TA webpage.


Are You Scheduled for a FTCA Site Visit?

Heart and Hands in Shield

Check out our updated Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Site Visit Protocol webpage to:

  • Learn about the FTCA site visit process (it differs from an operational site visit) and action plan
  • See a FTCA sample agenda and site visit report
  • Find out which documents reviewers will request
  • Learn how to access ECRI resources

Questions? Submit via the BPHC Contact Form (FTCA > FTCA Site Visit) or contact Health Center Program Support at (877) 464-4772, Option 1.


Tracking Health Center Program Supplemental Awards

Tracking Health Center Program Supplemental Awards: New Video Tutorial

Our six-minute video tutorial will improve your understanding of the requirements for tracking and monitoring supplemental awards. Watch it on HRSAtube. It lays out the key federal financial management requirements as well as best practices to ensure accurate accounting and tracking of multiple awards.


Deadline Reminder: FY 2025 BPR Non-Competing Continuation for January 1 Budget Period Starts

Budget Period Progress Report (BPR) submissions for Health Center Program award recipients with a January 1 budget period start date are due in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) by 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, August 16. TA materials are available on the BPR TA webpage.


In Recognition of Farmworker Appreciation Day, Health Center Story Showcases Wildfire Preparation for Agricultural Workers

Visit our Health Center Stories webpage to learn how Vista Community Clinic of California launched a wildfire preparation program to protect agricultural workers and their families. 

VCC presenting on wildfire preparedness

Staff from Vista Community Clinic in California present
information about wildfire preparation to agricultural workers.

Check out other new stories:

  • Yakima Neighborhood Health Services in Washington developed a digital literacy program to help patients take advantage of telehealth services.
  • Staff retention helps Community Care of West Virginia continue its remarkable growth in a rural service area.
  • SWLA Center for Health Services tackles heat-related illnesses, especially among the elderly and agricultural workers, in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
  • The Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska spearheaded a statewide effort to give personal hygiene kits to those who need them.
  • Access Community Health Centers in Madison, Wisconsin, boasts remarkable integration of mental health and primary care services.

Have a story to share? Contact us at HealthCenterStories@hrsa.gov.


Uniting Voices, Saving Lives: Empowering Minority Communities through Organ Donation Education

Join HRSA’s National Minority Donor Awareness Month webinar. Speakers will discuss how to address cultural barriers and share effective donation outreach strategies. Hear from experts and personal stories that highlight the impact of donation and transplantation. Live translation will be available in Spanish and English.

Tuesday, August 20
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page


Comments Requested: Proposed Changes to Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

CMS invites public comments on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule for Calendar Year 2025. They’ll use the input to develop the final rule. Submit comments on the Federal Register website by Monday, September 9.

CMS’ website lists key proposed changes for 2025. Your health center may be most interested in commenting on proposed changes in these areas:

  • Temporarily allowing FQHCS to bill for non-behavioral health visits furnished via telehealth through December 31, 2025.
  • The idea of redefining a “visit” to include live video to allow FQHCs to provide all services via telehealth at their applicable rates.
  • Reporting care coordination services by FQHCs.
  • Billing and payment for Part B preventive vaccines and their administration by FQHCs.

Workforce

Workforce Well-being Survey: TA and Dashboards

We continue expanding the TA we’ve created in response to the national results of the Health Center Workforce Well-being Survey. Experts provide guidance, tools, and strategies to help you meet your goals. Whether you're seeking to optimize staff morale, implement new programs, or enhance organizational culture, our TA can support your program. Check out our TA site for opportunities and resources including slides and recordings from past webinars. All HRSA-supported health centers are welcome to participate, regardless of whether you took the survey.

If your health center participated, don’t forget to visit your final dashboards in EHBs.


Adopting Robust Compensation and Benefits for Workforce Well-being

Join us to hear how Primary Health Network implemented creative benefits that reduced burnout and turnover among their providers and staff. Learn how your health center can create a robust compensation program that meets your workforce's diverse needs. Don't miss this case study presentation to gain valuable insights from this health center's experience building staff benefits!

Tuesday, August 20
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page


Weaving the PCMH Model of Care into Your Operations

In this learning collaborative, Renaye James Healthcare Advisors focuses on the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model as a way to organize health care delivery, ensure the patients' needs are identified, coordinate care for patients, and optimize health care outcomes. Despite various certifications, some people feel that a true PCMH is not attainable. Learn how to communicate about PCMH to your health care teams and incorporate PCMH standards into everyday operations. Visit the application page for details.


Incorporating Workforce Well-being into Your Strategic Plan

Join us as we launch our three-video series overviewing actionable strategies for leadership, board members, and employees to commit to and incorporate workforce well-being initiatives into their health center's strategic plan. We’ll introduce the process and its components and give examples of integration.

Thursday, August 15
2:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Registration page


Health Care Professionals: Find Your Dream Job at the HRSA Virtual Job Fair

Join us and connect with representatives from 50 health care facilities serving high-need communities across the country. Speak directly to health center recruiters, learn about the community, and learn how you can apply to hundreds of open positions.

Wednesday, August 7
6:00-9:00 p.m. ET
Registration page


In case you missed it:
Visit the Primary Health Care Digest archive.

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Training Calendar

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Visit our online calendar for details on these and all scheduled events.

Through August 13

Million Hearts Hypertension in Pregnancy Action Forum
Hosted by Million Hearts (CDC)
Tuesday, August 6
11:00 a.m.-noon ET
Registration page

Whole Person Care: Interdisciplinary Medical and Oral Health
Tuesday, August 6
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Health Center Program GeoCare Navigator Live Training
Wednesday, August 7
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

HRSA Virtual Job Fair (for job seekers)
Wednesday, August 7
6:00-9:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Engaging Families in Early Childhood Development with CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Program
Hosted by CDC
Thursday, August 8
4:00-5:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Addressing the Impact of Climate Change on LGBTQIA+ Patients at Health Centers
Hosted by the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center
Tuesday, August 13
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Evaluating and Ensuring the Success of Your Quality Improvement Program
Hosted by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care
Tuesday, August 13
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page – sign up for a free account to register

Through the Al Lens: Exploring the Impact of Artificial and Augmented Intelligence on Dental Public Health
Hosted by the National Network for Oral Health Access
Tuesday, August 13
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
**1.0 CDE provided**


Upcoming

UDS Office Hours: Using Data/Reports for Quality Improvement
Wednesday, August 14
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Incorporating Workforce Well-being into Your Strategic Plan
Thursday, August 15
2:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Uniting Voices, Saving Lives: Empowering Minority Communities through Organ Donation Education (with live translation in English and Spanish)
Tuesday, August 20
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Adopting Robust Compensation and Benefits for Workforce Well-being
Tuesday, August 20
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Webinars are hosted by HRSA unless otherwise noted.