The tough two-year journey to achieve the reauthorization of the health center program reached its final destination in Congress today. After the Senate unanimously passed H.R. 1343, the Health Care Safety Net Act of 2008, yesterday, the House did the same this evening.
Considering Congress’s task-at-hand in regard to the critical economic situation the nation is facing, along with the tight time frame, the victory that took place in both chambers is quite remarkable. Grassroots across the country convinced Congress members that passage of this bill was important and necessary. The Alaska Primary Care Association wishes to thank the advocates who made contacts to Washington, D.C. to encourage support of the bill these past few days as well as previously.
The Alaska Primary Care Association (APCA) was in touch with the Alaska delegation throughout the long process these many months, including these past few days. Congressional staff contacted APCA staff shortly after the bill passed each body to report the good news. The APCA appreciates Senator Murkowski’s, Senator Stevens' and Congressman Young’s strong support of the legislation.
The Health Care Safety Net Act of 2008 not only reauthorizes the Community Health Center (CHC) program through FY2012, it slated increases in funding ranging from 12% in FY09 to 13.5% in FY12. The bill also authorized a number of studies relating to CHCs. Below is a brief overview of those studies:
· School-based Health Centers – A GAO Study examining the impact of federal funding for school-based health centers on costs, access, and other federal programs. Timeline: 2 years.
· Quality – a HRSA/AHRQ Study on quality improvement activities at CHCs: successful models, data collection practices, performance evaluation and technical assistance. Timeline: 1 year.
· Integrated Health Systems – A GAO Study on 15 public or non-profit entities that integrate primary, specialty, and acute care for the uninsured and underserved. Timeline: 1 year.
· Volunteer Enhancement – a GAO Study on the impact of extending FTCA coverage to volunteer practitioners at CHCs on access and costs, and obstacles to implementation. Timeline: 6 months.
In addition, the bill allows the Secretary to recognize the unique needs of high-poverty areas in awarding CHC planning grants. In regard to emergency response coordination, the bill directs the Secretary to provide guidance and coordination between CHCs and other federal emergency response programs, and to utilize existing authority for CHCs to maintain FTCA coverage when travelling across state lines in public health emergencies.
Another important reauthorization included in the bill was that of the National Health Service Corps Program. It reauthorized the NHSC through FY2012, beginning with $131.5 million for Scholarships and Loan Repayment in FY08 with an increase of 9% annually through FY2012. H.R.1343 also removes the 6-year limit on automatic designation of CHCs as being in Health Professional Shortage Areas, while at the same time encouraging entities to support mentorship, professional development and training opportunities for NHSC members.
Also, the bill reauthorizes the Public Health Service Act Rural Health Programs at $45 million annually through FY2012, and reauthorizes the Primary Dental Health Workforce Programs authorized under PHS Sec. 340G at $25 million for the 5-year period beginning in FY2008.
Now that the Congress has completed its work to reauthorize health centers and make other provisions for the primary care safety net, the bill heads to the President who is expected to sign it.