Give A Care Indy » health center advocacy

Health Centers: Two Studies and an Idea

giveacareindy — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:01:55 +0000

An article released yesterday on Newswise about two George Washington University reports covered two very important things – health center expansion and Medicaid’s role in strengthening health center operations.

The past few weeks, we have been asking health center patients, community supporters, and YOU (our online community) to sign a petition supporting community health center expansion and continued funding for Medicaid.

(You can believe our reaction when seeing this article now, can’t you?)

If you want to get a good take on the who, what, when, where, why and how of community health centers, then the article titled – “Community Health Centers: The Challenge of Growing to Meet the Need for Primary Care in Medically Underserved Communities” is a great start.

The two most important findings (both on page 8.) reported in this article are…

“Patients receiving a majority of their ambulatory care in CHC settings had 25 percent lower ambulatory care expenditures, and 24 percent lower total annual medical expenditures, compared with patients who receive most of their care in other primary care settings.
“Economic analyses indicate that, in terms of the employment and the economic activity they generate, health centers produce an 8:1 return on investment”

The second article, titled – “Medicaid and Community Health Centers: the Relationship between Coverage for Adults and Primary Care Capacity in Medically Underserved Communities” – compares the status of community health centers in states with expanded Medicaid coverage to health centers in states with limited coverage.

Three takeaways from this article?

“Health centers in expansion states had more patient care sites and saw more patients than health centers in more limited states.”
“Health centers in expansion states received more total revenue and a greater proportion of revenue from Medicaid than health centers in more limited states.”
“Health centers in expansion states employ more medical staff, across almost all specialties, than health centers in more limited states.”

But, we can’t just leave you with that. You could’ve had read that yourself. (and we really appreciate the studies done by those at George Washington University).

From the studies done, health centers ARE cost-effective. Health centers do save individuals money because of the preventative and wide array of care they receive. Health centers do have a great economic impact on the neighborhoods where they are located.

Our new People's Health & Dental Center when it was under construction.

But, health centers are more than that. Health centers are run BY the community. In case you didn’t read the first article yet, in order to be a Federally Qualified Health Center, you need 51% of your board to be made up of patients from your health center. In most cases, the entire reason a community health center is built is because community groups see a need in their OWN neighborhood.

So, not only do health centers save the country money, generate money for the community and individuals, but they also take on the personality of the community and are there for the residents in any situation that occurs in their life.

Help to save community health centers. Sign our petition asking our legislators to not only prevent cuts in funding but increase the appropriated funds for community health centers as well as prevent ANY cuts in Medicaid, the key to strengthening the capacity and operations of community health centers.

(and don’t forget to ask your friends and family to join you in signing! Share this on your Facebook and Twitter pages)

Sign our Petition & Help our Health Center Colors Shine Through in Indianapolis!

giveacareindy — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:46:12 +0000

Our petition drive starts TODAY!!

Did you know? Health centers throughout the nation are the health care homes for over 20 million Americans.

Did you know? There are STILL almost 60 million Americans, even those with insurance, who do NOT have access to health care.

Did you know? Health centers’ average cost runs $1 less per patient per day compared to ALL physician settings.

Please join us in advocating the need for community health center expansion. Amidst all of the different opinions and debates regarding health care, the Health Centers program has always been something that all sides can agree on.

The need for SHOWING SUPPORT is always a must, and as the campaign trail heats up, then budget talks will get more specific.

YOU CAN HELP THE HEALTH CENTERS PROGRAM!

By signing our petition, you will show our legislators just how important the Health Centers program is to our Indianapolis community. The petition, located on our Facebook page, is calling our legislators to

1) Protect existing Health Center operations and increase Health Centers’ funding to the highest amount possible in fiscal year 2013 to allow health centers to serve an additional 2.5 million patients; and

2) Oppose cuts in the Medicaid program that would undermine Health Centers like ours.

Head over to our Advocacy Page on Facebook, sign the petition and share with friends and family! Every signature counts and will help to let our health center colors shine through!

Ending 2011 on an Advocacy High-Note for ALL Community Health Centers!

giveacareindy — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:05:30 +0000

At a time when health centers are seeing ever increasing demand for their services in rural and urban communities across the country, we are grateful that Congress has responded with this bipartisan bill which begins to address that need!
– Tom Van Coverden, President & CEO of NACHC.

Congress passed the
2012 Omnibus Appropriations Act!

But what is even more exciting than them actually passing it, is that the Health Centers Program will be funded at $2.78 billion! Totaling an increase of $200 million.

With only 12 days left until 2012, this is great news to hear. Not only will all current federal funding be kept for current health centers, but the funding increase will allow greater access to health care for more than 1.5 million additional Americans.

Outside look of NEW Barrington... set to open - March 2012

An interesting tidbit from NACHC’s press release – An estimated 60 million Americans — many of whom have health insurance — do not have access to primary medical care because of a shortage of providers in their communities.

HealthNet has benefitted from federal funding in the past, as we have been able to open doors to a new Southwest Health & Dental Center, a new People’s Health & Dental Center, and our Eastside Health Center, as well as build a new Barrington set to open early in 2012.

This maintaining of federal funding ensures us the ability to continue to provide primary and preventative care to Hoosiers in Marion County and look to the future of possible expansion into areas where health care is still a need. As said above and in NACHC’s statement, many citizens HAVE health insurance but are simply UNABLE to access care.

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Grassroots advocacy DOES WORK, even with a down economy and political tension in the air.
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Enjoy your holiday season, but be sure to join us in picking up where we left off once we turn the corner into 2012 and an electoral year!

Advocating during an election year will be tough! So let’s get started…

giveacareindy — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:05:12 +0000

flickr photo by wilhei55

By the November 22^nddeadline, the Super Committee had not come to terms on a plan to cut the $1.2 trillion as proposed by the Budget Control Act of 2011.

Health center advocates have been hard at work expressing the importance of keeping health center funding, but with this deadline passing, there is still no clear view as to what will happen. If no deal happens, automatic cuts equaling the $1.2 trillion will occur to defense and domestic program funding.

President Obama has urged Congress to come up with a new way to carry out these budget cuts, but as everyone knows – 2012 is almost here, and 2012 is a campaign year. Signs of any bipartisan deal happening soon are just not there.

As health center advocates, we have an important role to not only push for a deal, but also a deal that includes full funding for health centers.

Our patients depend on it.

No deal has been agreed upon, which means our job is not over. Stay in touch with what you can do to advocate for Indiana’s health centers by
1) Signing up for our Advocacy eNewsletter; and
2) Contacting Indiana’s legislators on Capitol Hill.