HRSA AWARDS MORE THAN $2 MILLION
TO TENNESSEE HEALTH CENTERS
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On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced more than $117 million in quality improvement awards to 1,318 health centers across all U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia.
25 health centers in Tennessee received awards totaling $2,086,524.
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Clinical Quality Improvers: 12 health centers received awards totaling $254,354
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Health Center Quality Leaders: 9 health centers received awards totaling $377,596
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National Quality Leaders: 3 health centers received awards totaling $178,074
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Access Enhancers: 3 health centers received awards totaling $23,000
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Value Enhancers: 2 health centers received awards totaling $69,000
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Health Disparities Reducers: 1 health centers received awards totaling $17,250
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Advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) for Quality: 24 health centers received awards totaling $207,250
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Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition: 19 health centers received awards totaling $960,000
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The WITH Foundation and the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry seek to address the challenges primary care providers experience in serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities during pandemic or emergency situations.
The deadline for submissions is September 3, 2020.
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Additional COVID-19 Resources |
COVID-19 Update Call
TPCA held a COVID-19 update call on Friday, July 24, 2020 with Dr. Fiscus from the Tennessee Department of Health to discuss the state response and COVID-19 testing. Below are the links to the recording and resources mentioned during the call.
COVID-19 Resources Page
TPCA created a COVID-19 Resources page that contains information and tools for health centers and the general public on a variety of COVID-19 related topics including TPCA’s COVID-19 Updates, human resources & operations, telehealth, and PPE. |
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Three Ways Lifespan Health Is Leveraging Technology to Improve Patient Care
With technology more integrated into the delivery of high-quality patient care than ever before, it is essential that healthcare providers realize the full power of the technological solutions available to them.
That’s why ENA would like to share this story about the successful innovations of Lifespan Health, a healthcare provider in rural Tennessee. This story recounts how Lifespan Health deployed ENA’s solutions to improve patient care and promote patient data security—all while easing the organization’s administrative burden.
ENA’s commitment to helping your community navigate our changing circumstances is ongoing. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
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Federal Funding
Negotiations over another comprehensive COVID-19 relief package stalled near the beginning of August and both the House and Senate are currently on recess. In response to the impasse in Congress, the Senate is expected to introduce a new, smaller version of the HEALS Act. The pared down bill is expected to include funding for the postal service, additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, and a boost to unemployment benefits. The House briefly returned to D.C. last weekend to vote on legislation regarding funding and policy changes to the U.S. Postal Service. The House is not set to return to D.C. until September 14, while the Senate is slated to return on September 8. In the meantime, members are on 24 hour notice to return to Washington if there is movement on COVID-19 related legislation.
340B
There continue to be developments regarding 340B, including a recent statement from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). HRSA recently told Inside Health Policy that drug makers that curb 340B discounts at contract pharmacies might prevent vulnerable people from getting affordable drugs and the agency is encouraging drug makers to continue the discounts -- but it cautions the agency can only take enforcement action if there is a violation of the statute.
As a reminder, NACHC has released a 340B Toolkit with more detailed information on each of these developments. If you would like to receive a copy of the template, please contact Emily Waitt at [email protected]. |
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HRSA RFI: HPSA Scoring Criteria and Maternity Care Health Professional Target Areas
HRSA is seeking feedback on Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) scoring and to inform policy on criteria for Maternity Care Health Professional Target Areas (MCTAs). HRSA is seeking feedback on how HPSA’s are being scored and which data sources to use to ensure accuracy and suitability of HPSA scoring methodology. While many sources of data are available for shortage designation, HRSA is open to using any additional data sources that will help fulfill the statutory mandate to distribute resources and providers to the areas of the greatest need.
Comments will be received up until September 18, 2020 at 7:30 PM EST.
“Catch-Up to Get Ahead” Campaign to Promote Childhood Immunizations
In support of National Immunization Awareness Month, HRSA urges health centers and health care providers to “catch-up to get ahead” on childhood immunizations. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to alarming declines in well-child visits and routine immunization rates. This raises the risk for outbreaks and further strain on our nation’s health care system. To increase childhood immunization rates, HHS is coordinating the “Catch-Up to Get Ahead” effort.
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TennCare Telehealth Guidance Extension
This week, TennCare released a memo announcing Amerigroup, BlueCare, and UnitedHealthCare are all extending current telehealth coverage policies through December 31, 2020.
Learn more by visiting TennCare MCOs’s websites:
Rate of Drug Overdoses Increase During Pandemic
The Tennessee Department of Health Office of Information and Analytics recently released this article about increased overdose deaths in Tennessee and the importance of reporting to the Tennessee Drug Overdose Reporting System
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Willeen W. Hastings Retires |
In July 2020, we celebrated the retirement of Willeen W. Hastings from Memphis Health Center. Willeen joined MHC 10 years prior, during a tumultuous time for the organization. Under her leadership the organization not only recovered, but thrived!
Her background as an experienced healthcare executive and registered nurse made her an intelligent, thoughtful, and compassionate leader for an organization mission driven to serve a community in need. Today she departs an community health center that is recognized as a vibrant leader in the Memphis/Shelby County safety net community.
We all owe Willeen a debt of gratitude for her commitment and service. She will be missed!
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Lifespan Health Builds New Clinic Facility |
Lifespan Health is currently developing a 19,500 sq. ft. new clinic facility in Savanah, TN. Once complete, Lifespan will consolidate two of its existing clinics that total roughly 10,000 sq. ft. The new building will better support the new team-based health care model through its design and features.
The new clinic will consist of three primary care medical pods providing family practice, pediatrics and OB/GYN services. Additionally, the care model will integrate behavioral health services.
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Tennessee’s Community Health Centers
Need Stable Funding
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ADDITIONAL NEWS & RESOURCES |
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THANK YOU TO OUR
2020 CONFERENCE SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS!
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Share your news!
We want to help spread the word about what's going on at Tennessee's health centers.
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This publication is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,830,669, with 15 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
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