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CCV News Digest - March 2007

(31 Mar 2007)

By Sue Dormanen, CCV Community Manager

The Community Clinic Voice News Digest highlights a selection of recent news, resources and events from our online community.

Visit the Community Clinic Voice Online Community for daily updates, lively discussions and more: http://www.communityclinicvoice.org.

Please help build participation on the CCV by forwarding or printing this Digest for your colleagues.

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CCV NEWS DIGEST FOR March, 2007 ** BUILDING CAPACITIES
** CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS & PREVENTION
** COMMUNITY CLINIC VOICE NEWS
** DISPARITIES
** FUNDING
** GREEN BUILDINGS
** HEALTH POLICY & TRENDS
** IT & HEALTHCARE
** LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
** MEDICAID
** PATIENT CARE
** PRIVACY POLICIES
** QUALITY & SAFETY
** THE UNINSURED & ACCESS TO CARE
** UPCOMING EVENTS

** BUILDING CAPACITIES:

TEN CA COUNTIES WIN FEDERAL FUNDING TO TREAT UNINSURED RESIDENTS - $540 Million to provide health care services to 180,000 low-income, uninsured residents who are not eligible for public health insurance. The funding will be directed to provide services for individuals who generally seek care at emergency departments. Counties will use the funding for programs to provide preventive care services to these individuals and follow-up treatment for chronic conditions.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

** CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS & PREVENTION:

APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH - The Child Welfare League of America has ideas to help you get involved in your hometown, and resources for Children's Memorial Flag Day, April 27. The Avon Foundation's Helping Children of Domestic Violence grant program is seeking proposals from nonprofits that assist children who have been exposed to domestic violence.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

PROMOTING HEALTHY FAMILIES IN YOUR COMMUNITY: 2007 RESOURCE PACKET - Developed for service providers, this packet highlights strategies for fostering protective factors that prevent child abuse and neglect. It also includes tip sheets for parents, in English and Spanish.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea58e5

** COMMUNITY CLINIC VOICE NEWS:

CCV PLATFORM TRANSITION UPDATE - The Community Clinic Voice site is moving to a new platform at the end of May! The increased functionality and flexibility of the new platform will help you find information and connect with colleagues more easily. For more information please see Community Clinic Voice Platform Transition topic in the CCV Discussion area.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/.eea4951/4

** DISPARITIES:

REDUCING RACIAL HEALTH DISPARITIES THROUGH COMMUNITY INTERVENTIONS - A report from Center for American Progress emphasizes the effectiveness of community health programs that work directly to modify risky health behaviors in reducing disparities.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

ASTHMA IN CALIFORNIA - Low-income Californians, as well as those from racial and ethnic minority groups, are hardest hit, reports UCLA.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

HISPANIC HEALTH PORTAL LAUNCHED - HispanicHealth.info aims to become a one-stop resource for health care professionals seeking to obtain and share information on Hispanic health care. Launched this month by the not-for-profit National Hispanic Medical Association, the portal is focusing on two core issues: diabetes and obesity. The interactive site eventually will include other health topics.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

HELPING PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS COMMUNICATE - Two recent reports from The California Endowment examine both language access issues and ways Medicare could fund programs to assist Limited English Proficient populations.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

** FUNDING:

HRSA NEW ACCESS POINTS AND PLANNING GRANTS IN HIGH POVERTY COUNTIES - Fiscal year 2007 represents the first year of a new five year Presidential Initiative to establish health centers in poor counties under the Consolidated Health Center comprehensive primary and preventive health services (including mental health, substance abuse and oral health services) and supplemental services to populations currently without access to such services, and to improve their health status. Applications due May 23 for New Access Points and May 16 for Planning Grants. HRSA offers technical assistance conference calls on both funding opportunities.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

SERVICE AREA OVERLAP: HRSA POLICY AND PROCESS - As the number of health center and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike sites grows, so does the potential that service areas will overlap. A March 2007 Policy Information Notice (PIN) describes the Health Resources and Services Administration's policies and processes for health center service area overlap.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

ROUTES TO COMMUNITY HEALTH - A program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation supports collaborations to improve the health of immigrants through locally focused media and community-engagement strategies. Funded projects must focus on improving health outcomes through attention to one or more of the following issues: family, work, cultural competence, or integration. Applications due May 17, 2007.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

FOSTER G. MCGAW PRIZE FOR HEALTH DELIVERY ORGANIZATIONS - $100,000 award honors exceptional commitment to community service. Application Deadline: April 6, 2007.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

UNITED WAY OF GREATER LOS ANGELES ANNOUNCES ACTION PLAN TO TACKLE NEW FACE OF POVERTY - RFP to advance the plan’s goals of meeting basic needs, including coordinated primary care, dental and vision, mental health, and access to substance abuse treatment. The deadline for applications is April 23.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

** GREEN BUILDINGS:

BANKS ANNOUNCE "GREEN BUSINESS" INITIATIVES - San Francisco’s New Resource Bank calls itself the country's first commercial bank aimed at "green business" -- they offer green building loans and incentives to help developers and investors profit more from building green. Bank of America is donating $50 million to support nonprofit organizations in innovative energy conservation and other environmentally progressive activities.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

** HEALTH POLICY & TRENDS:

HEALTH CENTER FUNDING LETTERS CIRCULATE IN CONGRESS - As of the March 30th deadline, 165 Representatives and 48 Senators have signed a letter in support of a $200 million increase in funding for health centers, reports NACHC. Although Congress will be in recess next week, the deadline may be extended.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

BIPARTISAN BILL TO REAUTHORIZE FEDERAL HEALTH CENTERS PROGRAM - The “Health Centers Renewal Act,” (H.R. 1343), introduced this month by U.S. Rep. Gene Green (D-TX) and Rep. Charles W. “Chip” Pickering (R-MS), provides for a straight reauthorization of Community Health Centers and maintains the key underpinnings of its success.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

REFORMING THE PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR PRIMARY CARE - While high-quality, readily available primary care is critical to keeping America healthy and productive, the number of practicing primary care physicians is likely to decline sharply in coming years, as medical school graduates increasingly choose specialty fields. A new payment model proposes Incentives to deliver coordinated, well-organized primary care. The percentage of medical students choosing careers in primary care or family medicine over specialties has dropped significantly in recent years, according to a UCSF study, which finds the situation is largely caused by a growing income gap between primary care physicians and specialists
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

TRANSFORMING THE U.S. CHILD HEALTH SYSTEM - More than half those under age 18 do not have a primary care physician or medical home, according to UCLA researchers, who say that incremental reform will not solve the problem. They recommend: establishing a federal agency to consolidate existing funding and planning for children's health initiatives, improving early childhood services and systems, using health information technology to coordinate care among health care providers, and organizing local child health development systems to manage care delivery.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

FACT SHEET: CONGRESS CAN EXTEND HEALTH COVERAGE TO MORE KIDS - There is growing consensus that reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) should do more to cover all of the 6 million uninsured U.S. children. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities identifies potential offsets to cover the cost.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

HEALTH COMMITTEE HEARS BILLS TO CLARIFY REIMBURSABLE SERVICES RENDERED OFF-SITE - CPCA-sponsored bills would ensure FQHC patients have access to medically necessary specialty care services, dental hygienists. Other CPCA-supported bills to be heard would create the Public School Health Center Support Program, and allow reimbursement for mental health visits provided on the same day as a medical visit
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

STRICTER ELIGIBILITY POLICY FOR INDIAN HEALTH CLINICS - Some taxpayer-funded tribal clinics in urban areas say they recently have been instructed not to admit people who cannot document their federal tribal status.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS: A MOVEMENT AND THE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT HAPPEN - New book traces the early history of health centers, through its evolution to a national network currently serving more than 16 million people.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/.eea58e1

** IT & HEALTHCARE:

LEGISLATION WOULD EASE COST, RISK OF IT ADOPTION FOR SMALL PROVIDERS - Small medical practices need tax credits, deductions, grants or loans to help cover the expensive initial and ongoing costs to use health IT systems, according to a panel at a House Small Business Regulations. Subcommittee Chair Charlie Gonzalez (D-Texas) is sponsoring a bill, supported by the American College of Physicians, that would include Medicare payment incentives to make EHR and other IT systems affordable for small physician practices.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

GOVERNOR SIGNS HEALTH IT MANDATE - Governor Schwarzenegger on March 14, 2007, signed an executive order mandating health IT adoption, increased transparency of health care cost and quality information and improved accountability of public and private health systems. The California Medical Association called the executive order "another unfunded mandate" that some physicians will not be able to afford.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

FREE WEB-BASED EHRS SUPPORTED BY ADVERTISING - Practice Fusion, a San Francisco startup, plans to offer a free Web-based electronic health record system to physicians and medical groups.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

REPORT FROM HIMSS 2007: At Close of Conference, Health IT Leaders Poised To Turn Strategy into Action - The next round of contracts from HHS will focus on applying what’s been learned in the first round of prototype contracts.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

HIMSS SURVEYS NATIONAL PROVIDER IDENTIFIER COMPLIANCE - Two in five health IT professionals say their billing software and practice management systems are ready for May 23 deadline. HIMSS has compiled an overview of the NPI, tips from CMS, and other resources.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

AND SEE: THE NATIONAL PROVIDER IDENTIFICATION (NPI) NUMBERS Topic in the CCV Discussion area, where members are talking about requirements to inform the various health plans and insurance companies that they bill of their new NPI numbers.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea494f

CalRHIO ANNOUNCES VENDORS FOR STATEWIDE HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE - CalRHIO has selected Medicity, Inc., teamed with Perot Systems to build a statewide health information exchange that will offer California health care providers secure electronic access to patient medical records. CalRHIO says the health information exchange utility service to be developed supports the Governor’s Executive Order and will enable electronic medical records to be shared confidentially among providers across California and through the National Health Information Network, currently under development by HHS.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

CCHIT APPROVES SECIND SET OF EHR CERTIFICATION CRITERIA FOR AMBULATORY CARE - A teleconference on the 2007 criteria is scheduled for April 5.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

WikiHIT: COLLABORATIVE FORUM FOR ADVANCING HEALTHCARE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - WikiHIT provides comprehensive, insightful and up-to-date information on interoperable archetypes. Community input is encouraged for the definition of any number of archetypes, thus providing a comprehensive library of archetypes as a freely available resource that anyone can edit.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea58e8

ASK DR. WIKI - Wikipedia-style Web site for medical information started by physicians at the Cleveland Clinic enables health care professionals to submit content that other providers and the public can access.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

NEXT GENERATION HEALTHCARE DELIVERY: PREPARING FOR THE NOT-SO-DISTANT FUTURE - First Consulting Group's new report, Facing the Future, which is geared toward providers, is intended to help people prepare to make strategic IT investments.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

SIX TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL EHR IMPLEMENTATION - The list from a recent HealthLeaders Media Webcast includes: Be firm, Create buzz, Don’t call it an IT project, Create a multidisciplinary team, Survey physician willingness, and Use more than one type of training.
http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/viewcontent/88249.html

TECH-SAVVY COMMUNICATIONS FOR NONPROFITS - Free toolkit from NPower Seattle, provides an overview of how to develop an effective message for your nonprofit, as well as a survey of communication tools (such as RSS feeds, blogs, and podcasts) you can use to deliver that message.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?14@@.eea58e3

TOOLKIT: HEALTHY & SECURE COMPUTING - CompuMentor provides resources to support your core technology infrastructure, so that your organization can maximize the impact it makes in your communities.
http://www.techsoup.org/toolkits/hsc

** LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT:

HEALTH CARE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM - Applications due May 15 for California HealthCare Foundation's two-year executive leadership training program.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

** MEDICAID:

CMS REVERSES STAND ON MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY FOR NEWBORNS - All babies born in the U.S. whose deliveries are covered by Medicaid will continue to receive Medicaid coverage for a year following their birth, before being required to document their eligibility. The announced new policy is a striking reversal of CMS' previous rule, published in July 2006, that all newborns would have to document their eligibility for Medicaid before being covered.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

GOVERNOR GAINS HHS SUPPORT OF ADDITIONAL MEDI-CAL FUNDS - HHS has pledged to support Governor Schwarzenegger's request for $3.45 billion of the $3.7 billion in additional Medi-Cal funding to help finance his health care reform proposal. California would have to increase its Medi-Cal reimbursements to medical providers before it could receive an increase in federal matching funds, something the governor has proposed doing in part by using new fees on health care providers.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

** PATIENT CARE:

IMPROVING THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC DISEASE AT COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS - HRSA's Health Disparities Collaboratives has been successful in addressing some chronic diseases among underserved populations, according to a new report. According to the study, clinics participating in the program showed improvements in screening and disease prevention among patients with diabetes and asthma.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

CULTURE-SPECIFIC DIABETES MANAGEMENT COST EFFECTIVE - Taking a patient's specific culture into consideration can help increase life expectancy and decrease diabetes complications, finds a study from the University of California, San Diego. Diabetes case management may be particularly cost effective for low-income populations.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

WORLDLY ROOTS AND LOCAL HEALERS: BOTÁNICAS AND HERBAL MEDICINE - A new educational installation at The California Endowment's Center for Healthy Communities in Los Angeles aims to foster dialogue and potential collaboration between conventional and traditional health practitioners who serve clients with a range of spiritual beliefs.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

HALF OF PATIENTS FAIL TO TAKE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AS DIRECTED - Decreased social support, memory problems, fear of the drugs and side effects, depression, and a daily regimen of multiple pills are among primary reasons patients stop taking their medication, according to researchers, who say patients should be provided with written as well as oral instructions for medication and that doctors should inform family members of the prescribed regimen to ensure that patient follow it.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

Rx EXPRESS: BUS OFFERS PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE IN CALIFORNIA - Partnership for Prescription Assistance's big orange bus, as well as a Web site (www.pparx.org) and a toll-free telephone number (888-477-2669), helps people find assistance to pay for prescriptions.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

AND SEE: The "Water Cooler" Topic in the CCV Discussion area, where members are talking about other Medication Assistance Programs.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/.eea4791/251

** PRIVACY POLICIES:

REPORT: U.S. LAGS IN EHR PRIVACY POLICIES - Canada, the Netherlands and the UK are not only well ahead of the U.S. in setting privacy policies in favor of more patient control, but also in implementing systems that empower patients to restrict the flow of their information. In related news, the Santa Barbara County Care Data Exchange cited privacy concerns in its recent closure, and privacy advocate Paul Feldman resigned from the federal AHIC privacy work group due to lack of progress in developing a privacy policy. And one of only two consumer representatives on the Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel board of directors has resigned, adding her voice to those criticizing federal efforts to promote HIT without first firmly establishing a foundation of a national healthcare privacy policy.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

FEDERAL IT STANDARDS PANEL DEVELOPS POSSIBLE PRIVACY REQUIREMENTS - The Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel's new security and privacy work group has compiled a list of possible privacy requirements to match three HHS-chosen "use cases," which seek to facilitate movement of patient demographics, laboratory values and medication lists to promote consumer use of personal health records, physician adoption of electronic medical-records systems and public health benefits from electronically enhanced biosurveillance tracking systems. A public comment period will be open April 13 - May 3. A Dissenting Statement on a Proposed PHR Certification Process from members of the AHIC Consumer Empowerment Workgroup says that it is premature for AHIC to adopt a recommendation on certification of PHRs, and urges the Committee to reject this recommendation.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

POLL FINDS MANY CONCERNED ABOUT HEALTH RECORD PRIVACY - As many as half of consumers feel they have lost control over how their medical records are used, and 17% said they withheld information from health care providers due to concerns about the information being disclosed, according to a new poll by Harris Interactive.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

** QUALITY & SAFETY:

REPORT RECOMMENDS WAYS TO CURB MEDICATION ERRORS IN CALIFORNIA - The CA Medication Errors Panel calls for physicians to use electronic prescribing technology and for legislators to adopt other strategies to reduce errors. Lack of comprehensive oversight and a fragmented system increase the risk of medication errors throughout the surgery process, according to another report released this month.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

CAMPAIGN TO REDUCE MEDICAL ERRORS - HHS's Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) is encouraging patients to become more involved with their own health care so they can help improve quality of care and reduce the likelihood of medical errors. A newly launched web site provides fact sheets and other materials aimed at helping patients achieve safer health care.
http://www.ahrq.gov/questionsaretheanswer/index.html

THE UNINSURED AND ACCESS TO CARE:

SHIFTING FOCUS OF HEALTH REFORM: CARE, NOT COVERAGE - Maybe the focus on insurance is wrong, says an opinion piece in Hospitals & Health Networks. Giving people an insurance card helps only if a provider accepts both them and the card, notes the author. We might be better off training a whole cadre of nurse practitioners to create universal prenatal and well-baby care as a government-funded service, like K-12 education.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

STUDY: AWARENESS OF AFFORDABLE SOURCES OF MEDICAL CARE - A survey reported on in Health Services Research examines the use and awareness of lower priced providers, focusing especially on the effects of safety-net capacity, measured by safety-net hospitals, community health centers, physicians' charity care, and Community Access Program (CAP) grants. Less than half of the uninsured surveyed reported that they used or were aware of a lower priced provider in their community. Greater outreach may be needed in order to increase the effectiveness of safety-net providers in improving access to care for the uninsured.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

CENSUS BUREAU REVISES HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE ESTIMATES -The Census Bureau this month issued revised figures on health insurance coverage showing that more Americans have health insurance coverage than previously reported. The revised estimates show that, in 2005, 44.8 million people, 15.3 percent of the population, were without health insurance – about 1.8 million fewer than the Census Bureau reported in August 2006. Commonwealth Fund President Karen Davis says few could argue that 44.8 million people living without insurance is an acceptable number, particularly in a nation that spends nearly twice as much per capita on health care as any other country.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

UNINSURED IN AMERICA: PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS - Commonwealth Fund president Karen Davis suggests an alternative approach to financing expanded coverage: reinvest savings gained through increased efficiency. One strategy for achieving this is to reform provider payment systems to reward high-quality, patient-centered, and efficient care.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

PRESIDENT BUSH REJECTS RECOMMENDATIONS OF CITIZENS' HEALTH CARE WORKING GROUp - HHS said the administration does not favor approach based on government intervention. The working group, established under the 2003 Medicare law, sought to promote a nationwide public debate to develop an "action plan for Congress and the president to consider as they work to make health care that works for all Americans." It held almost 100 community meetings, hosted online surveys, and received written views from citizens and organizations.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

NEW STUDY: 56 MILLION AMERICANS LACK ACCESS TO BASIC MEDICAL CARE - ACCESS DENIED: a comprehensive new report finds startling numbers of “medically disenfranchised” Americans. Nearly one in five Americans – of all income levels, racial and ethnic groups, and insurance status – are at great risk of not having a “medical home” to address their basic health needs from the common cold to migraines or high blood sugar, finds a joint study by National Association of Community Health Centers and the Robert Graham Center of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx/News%2C%20Trends%20%26%20Healthcare%20Policy/March%202007/

** UPCOMING EVENTS:

For information on all events, and to post your own announcements, see the CCV Calendar:
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?dispCal@@.eea464e!m=9&y=2007

April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month!

National Public Health Week - April 2-8
CPCA National Provider Identifier (NPI) 2-part Teleconference - April 3 - 4
HRSA Planning Grants in High Poverty Counties Technical Assistance Call - April 3
HRSA High Poverty Counties Initiative Special Populations Question & Answer Session - April 5
CCHIT Town Call: 2007 Ambulatory EHR Certification Criteria - April 5
CalRHIO Safety Net Forum II - April 5, San Francisco
Regional Flu Preparedness Workshops - April 9, Sacramento
CPCA Day at the Capitol - April 11-13, Sacramento
Western CFO Network Conference – Is Your Health Center Healthy? - April 11-13, Las Vegas
Cover the Uninsured Week - April 23-29
CPCA Tele-Training #4: Clinic Licensing - April 24
Nursing Informatics - April 27-29, Las Vegas
1st National Asthma Conference & Awareness Day on Capitol Hill - April 30 - May 2, Washington, DC
Women's Health Month - May, 2007
Billing and Compliance Workshop - May 1-3, Reno, NV
Regional Flu Preparedness Workshops - May 1 in Fresno, May 3 in Riverside, May 7 in Chico, May 15 East Bay, Los Angeles date TBA
Core Privileging Essentials - May 2, Las Vegas
Farmworkers Health Conference - May 9-11, Newport Beach, CA
HIMSS Virtual Conference & Expo - May 16-17
Collaborating for Success National Conference - May 16-18, San Francisco
Transforming the Health Center - May 17-18, Sacramento
TEPR '07 (Towards the Electronic Patient Record) - May 19-23, Dallas, TX
2007 CPCA Tele-Training #5: Staffing Regs - May 22
2007 CPCA Tele-Training #6: Billing Compliance - June 19
Johnson & Johnson/UCLA Health Care Executive Program - Session 1 runs June 18 – 29; Session 2 is: July 22 – August 3, Los Angeles
Engaging with Physicians in a Shared Quality Agenda - July 12-14, San Francisco
For information on all events, and to post your own announcements, see the CCV Calendar:
http://www.communityclinicvoice.org/webx?dispCal@@.eea464e!m=9&y=2007

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