A Check-in with Dr. Kyu
March 2024 – Navigating the Wealth of Resources on NACHC.org: A Comprehensive Guide
“NACHC is deeply appreciative of the leadership
in Congress in securing passage of
over $1.8 billion in discretionary funding for Community Health Centers.”
This last year has been a very busy time for our Community Health Centers, Primary Care Associations and Health Center Controlled Networks. By this summer, as I mark my first full year at NACHC, I will have been fortunate enough to travel to nearly 40 states and territories across our nation. From my conversations with health center leaders, their staff and volunteers, one area of need they identified is for timely resources, data, and information; especially now as the health center community recovers from the cyberattack on Change Health Care on February 21. On a more positive note, NACHC is deeply appreciative of the leadership in Congress in securing passage of over $1.8 billion in discretionary funding for Community Health Centers. It comes at a critical time as health centers face significant challenges that include workforce shortages, reductions in Medicaid enrollment and a worsening environment for access to affordable 340B medications. The federal investment will support high-quality, comprehensive, affordable primary care for communities in need, strengthen our community-based, transdisciplinary primary care teams, deliver health outcomes, and reduce overall healthcare costs.
We look forward to working with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to build on this funding later this year. The work you have done as health centers and Primary Care Associations has also been instrumental in getting this legislation passed so we congratulate you on all your advocacy efforts. NACHC stands on its mission to promote efficient, high-quality, comprehensive healthcare that is accessible, culturally and linguistically competent, community-based, and patient-led for all. NACHC is also on the forefront of working toward our vision of having every health center in the nation be the Employer, Provider and Partner of Choice (aka, EPPOC). NACHC’s web site NACHC.org, serves as a vital hub for health care professionals, policymakers, researchers, and the general public seeking resources, information, and guidance on community health and primary care.
Highlights of These Information Resources Include:
- An Overview of Community Health Centers (CHCs):
- At the heart of NACHC.org lies an extensive collection of resources that provide insights into the establishment, operation, and significance of Community Health Centers. From introductory materials outlining health center core principles to in-depth reports, visitors can gain a comprehensive understanding of the pivotal role health centers play addressing health disparities and improving population health outcomes.
- Policy and Advocacy Resources:
- NACHC.org serves as a catalyst for policy change and advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening the healthcare safety net. Visitors can access policy briefs, legislative updates, and advocacy toolkits designed to empower stakeholders in advancing health equity and expanding the reach of health centers. From grassroots advocacy campaigns to legislative analysis, these resources equip individuals and organizations with the information and tools.
- Clinical and Operational Guidance:
- Health care professionals who need guidance on clinical best practices, operational efficiency, and quality improvement initiatives can turn to NACHC.org for a myriad of resources tailored to their needs. These include workforce strategies, financial management tools, and cutting edge webinars, training modules, and peer-to-peer forums where professionals can engage in collaborative learning and knowledge exchange.
- Workforce Development and Training:
- Recognizing the critical role of a skilled workforce in primary care, NACHC.org features a robust array of workforce development and training resources. From recruitment and retention strategies to professional development opportunities, visitors can access resources aimed at cultivating a diverse, competent, and engaged workforce.
- Data and Research Tools:
- Data-driven decision-making lies at the core of effective health care delivery and policy analysis. NACHC.org offers access to comprehensive data repositories, research publications, and health outcome reports that illuminate trends, challenges, and opportunities within the realm of community-based health care.
- Financial and Operational Resources:
- Sustainability is a cornerstone of health center viability. NACHC.org equips stakeholders with the financial and operational resources necessary to navigate complex health care landscapes. From revenue cycle management guides to grant funding opportunities, the website offers practical assistance in financial planning, reimbursement optimization, and compliance.
- Community Engagement and Outreach:
- Building strong community partnerships and engaging diverse stakeholders are integral components of success. NACHC.org provides resources and toolkits designed to facilitate community engagement, health education, and outreach initiatives.
From policymakers shaping healthcare policy to frontline healthcare providers delivering care on the ground, our website offers a wealth of resources tailored to diverse stakeholders invested in advancing the mission of accessible, quality healthcare for all. By navigating the comprehensive list of resources available on NACHC.org, NACHC’s intention is to empower our field to drive positive change and build healthier communities across the nation.
As I close out this edition, I want to once again say THANK YOU to the nearly 1,500 CHCs around the country for providing whole-person care to your communities, regardless of patients’ ability to pay. Health centers reach beyond the exam room every day to prevent illness and address the social and economic drivers that affect patient health and well-being. CHCs are innovators and problem-solvers who do whatever it takes to meet whole health needs.
Associated Press: Community Health Centers Serve 1 in 11 Americans.
They’re a Safety Net Under Stress
Leading up to NACHC’s fight to secure a funding increase for Community Health Centers, we worked with Associated Press to showcase the pivotal role they play as a safety net for underserved communities.
The article was published in multiple news outlets across the country, in both Spanish and English and helped build the case for the importance of federal investment in primary care as Congress debated the future of health center funding. We’re grateful that before breaking for recess Republican and Democratic lawmakers came together and approved the first funding increase for health centers in 10 years.
New York Times: As Medicaid Shrinks, Clinics for the Poor Are Trying to Survive
As of April 1, we are marking one year since Medicaid redeterminations began and forced more than 18 million people from coverage – including many of whom who are eligible. Community Health Centers are reckoning with these disruptions to the continuity of care and to fiscal operations – with an average of at least $500,000 in financial losses, as NACHC noted in a front-page story of the New York Times. The health center community knows all too well the long-term implications of churn – that good health depends on having both coverage AND access to affordable primary care at the front door of the U.S. health care delivery system – at a Community Health Center. Medicaid disenrollment extends beyond financial constraints, exacerbating existing health disparities and hindering efforts to improve health outcomes for underserved populations. Vulnerable individuals, including those with chronic conditions and mental health disorders, face heightened barriers to accessing timely and comprehensive care, leading to worsening health outcomes, increased reliance on costly emergency rooms for care and preventable hospitalizations.
Update
Recent Cyberattack on Change Healthcare
In a recent cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a major healthcare technology company, significant disruptions occurred, raising concerns about data security and the potential impact on healthcare providers, including Community Health Centers (CHCs). NACHC has swiftly responded to support CHCs affected by the incident and is actively working on several fronts to mitigate the fallout within the community health sector.
Summary of the Cyberattack on Change Healthcare:
The cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a leading provider of revenue cycle management and data analytics solutions for the healthcare industry, resulted in system outages and potential exposure of sensitive data. The attack, characterized by ransomware targeting the company’s systems, has raised alarm bells within the healthcare community regarding the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the growing threat of cyber threats to patient privacy and healthcare operations.
NACHC’s Response and Support for CHCs:
In response to the cyberattack, NACHC has shared resources and initiatives from UnitedHealth Group (UHG) to support CHCs affected by the incident and bolster cybersecurity preparedness across the community health sector.
Health centers report disruptive and costly challenges with unpaid claims, staff spending long hours troubleshooting problems, filling patient prescriptions, and, in some cases, concerns about meeting payroll due to extensive cash crunches – as highlighted in a recent article by Reuters. NACHC has swiftly responded to support affected health centers and is actively working on several fronts to mitigate the fallout with a focus on delays in claims processing and payment. UHG has set up multiple Temporary Funding Assistance Programs to help providers with short-term cash flow needs. NACHC staff members are also in direct and regular communications with federal stakeholders– the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and relaying information. NACHC also raised concerns about the impact on health centers in a recent letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. As these developments continue, we’ll continue to update the health center community through communications channels and the NACHC web site.
NACHC encourages health centers to continue to work through the process set up by UHG but welcomes ongoing feedback or requests for assistance from health centers to aid in this process.
NACHC will continue to coordinate with UHG and Change Healthcare in their response to the incident and will assist health centers in finding answers to questions and solutions to unaddressed problems.
CEO Goals & Priorities
NACHC continues to be focused on several goals that support our strategic pillars and will better enable us to help you in expanding your impact in the communities you serve, including but not limited to:
- Advocacy: Creating more ACES…learn how your community health center can become one!
- Communications: Increasing engagements and information sharing on social media…we encourage you to join the movement by following NACHC and Dr. Rhee!
- Membership: Enhancing our membership structure…we encourage you to become a member or persuade a nonmember to become a member to support our advocacy and programs.
