For those who were anxiously watching the health center funding cliff approach, here is what to expect now that we have gone over...
Funding Cliff: Community Health Centers at Risk of a 70% Funding Cut
In 1965, the Community Health Center (CHC) Program began with two clinics. Over 52 years, this number has increased to nearly 1,400 health centers, with 10,400 delivery sites. Obviously, with that number of delivery locations, health centers have a vast impact on the health of our nation’s communities.
Baby Boomers All Grown Up - The Impact of the Aging Population on Healthcare
The United States is experiencing a wave of an aging population. Warmly referred to as the Silver Tsunami, the population of seniors (65 and over) in the US has passed 50 million for the first time in history and is projected to reach over 70 million in the next 25 years[1].
MACRA for Me?
Unusual Hospital-FQHC Partnerships Address Payment and Access Issues
Teaching hospitals and FQHCs can partner to alleviate community healthcare provider shortages and reduce training costs.
Innovative healthcare leaders sometimes need to make unorthodox connections. Such is the case with a partnership that some organizations have been part of since the 1970s—a connection between teaching hospitals and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) that offers financial advantages to both.
The Healthcare Landscape through a Financial Lens: What's next for CHCs?
Since the 2016 presidential election, the US healthcare industry has been bracing for some significant changes. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), while certainly not perfect, has helped move the US toward universal health coverage. As part of the Obama Administration's healthcare strategy, Community Health Center (CHC) funding was increased and moved under the ACA. This year’s initial ACA replacement proposal, the American Health Care Act (AHCA), was unable to gain traction in Congress and was withdrawn. While the ACA is still the law of the land, it clearly has a target painted on it. Amidst all of this uncertainty, how can health centers plan and prepare for continued financial stability?
340B FQHC Extended Registration
The 340B Program will be accepting Health Center Program grantee registrations beyond the standard two-week registration period (April 1-15). Health centers will be able to register a site that has been verified as implemented and the site status is reflected as “active” in EHBs Form 5B through June 9, after which the system will close to prepare for the July 1 start. A similar quarterly registration timeframe will be employed each quarter.
340B Mega Guidance Withdrawn and Sent Back to HHS
In a move that should surprise no one, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) announced that the 340B Program Omnibus Guidelines, aka the 340B Mega Guidance, was withdrawn on January 30th. The proposed rule, which was released in draft form in August 2015, was widely expected to be finalized last December. As a unit of OMB, OIRA speaks directly for President Trump's executive branch.