Primary News for Primary Care, March 2018

CEO Hallway Conversations with John McDonald

This month we visited Washington D.C. with AACHC members for NACHC’s annual Policy and Issues Forum. This is an impactful conference where we meet with our colleagues from across the country to share best practices, learn of innovative projects they are spearheading and have the opportunity to educate, inform and work with our Members of Congress.

AACHC and its members participated in Hill Day and met with all 10 of our Members of Congress and their staff. The issues discussed included the 340B program, behavioral health integration, tackling substance abuse disorder and the continuation of federal funding for Community Health Centers. One recurring theme, and a point of great interest during our meeting, was the conversation around telehealth and how it helps us reach a larger number of patients in remote communities or to reach those who can’t access transportation as easily.

I, along with our advocacy and policy team, appreciate those who joined us at the NACHC P&I Hill visits. The staff, patients and board members of our health centers did a great job of discussing key issues in the NACHC agenda, sharing their personal stories and experiences. They painted the picture for our legislators on the importance of Community Health Centers in their districts and why the programs being provided are essential to keep our families healthy. We will continue to work with our Members of Congress to highlight the work being done by community health centers as well as the importance of ensuring the stability and viability of the services Community Health Centers provide.

We also had the opportunity to present Congressman O’Halleran (Congressional District 1) with the 2018 Distinguished Community Health Champion Award, NACHC’s highest award for elected officials. The Congressman and 19 of his colleagues received the award for their leadership on health center issues. Representative McSally, Representative Sinema and Representative Grijalva were awarded with the 2018 Distinguished Community Health Advocate Award, also for their support of CHCs and the patients we serve. These awards are given to Members based on their participation, so please make sure to report back to AACHC regarding any visits or meetings with your members so we may honor that work in the future.

All the best,

John

Program Highlight - Health Center Development

Required reading: HRSA’s recently released Compliance Manual and Operational Site Visit Protocol

They’re finally here and effective immediately. Many of our Arizona Health Centers are preparing for Operational Site Visits (OSVs) in the coming months, sometimes provoking excitement, sometimes a bit of anxiety, and always a flurry of preparation to make sure that no details are missed.

The requirements of being a grantee or Look Alike have not changed but there is a new structure and objectivity in the process when reviewers are on site. There are some changes with regard to how you will demonstrate compliance, some elements will be assessed off-site by HRSA prior to the OSV, but the majority will still be assessed on-site by your OSV review team. Reviewers will not only be looking at whether or not you have established the required policies and procedures, but that you have implemented them as well. That means they will be reviewing documents, charts, files, etc. to show that you have actually implemented the written policies and procedures. There will still be interviews with Board members, and review of Board minutes and Board related documents, to assure that the Board exercises its appropriate authority and functions. Related to Board Authority, a Health Center will now be asked to provide one or two examples of actions taken as a result of the Board’s periodic evaluation of policies. Board members should be prepared but not scared.

HRSA also recently released the Progressive Actions Conditions Library, which directly corresponds to elements within the Compliance Manual. These are the exact conditions that will be placed on a Notice of Award/Look-Alike Designation, if a Health Center does not demonstrate compliance at the OSV.

As you familiarize yourselves with the Compliance Manual, OSV Protocols, and related tools, please contact me at any time if you have questions. If you are preparing for an Operational Site Visit, please let me know if I, or any AACHC staff can be of assistance in your process. If you need to prepare your Board or Staff for an upcoming OSV, I would be happy to provide an overview and let them know what to expect.

If you haven’t already, please let us know when your OSV is scheduled so that we can get the dates on our calendar and plan on being there to support you.

I know reviewers will be leaving Arizona Operational Site Visits with many highlights and examples of best practices to share. Best of luck!

For more information, please contact:

Role of Structural Competency in the Treatment and Prevention of Diabetes in a Vulnerable Agricultural Worker Population
April 4, 2018 | Webinar
Scholars and clinicians have encouraged those in practice or health professions training to focus not only on the behaviors and beliefs of cultural groups but more importantly to consider the structural determinants, prejudices, injustices and blind spots, the “pathologies of social systems” that affect health outcomes and the stigma experienced by patients. The session will introduce participants to the broad framework of structural competency and the five core structural competencies. Particular attention will be paid to the impact of structural issues on the treatment and management of diabetes for vulnerable populations. Click here to register.

Arizona Geriatrics Spring Mental Health and Aging Conference
April 6, 2018 | Tucson, AZ
Medical education conference offering CEUs. For more information and to register, click here.

Together for Tomorrow: Protecting Arizona's Children
April 11, 2018 | Phoenix, AZ
Together for Tomorrow: Protecting Arizona’s Children will explore opportunities for Arizona to prevent child mortality. We’ll showcase interventions and best practices currently underway, and spark further dialogue about programs and policies that provide nurturing conditions in which children can thrive. The day will focus on 3 core areas that are essential to children’s well-being: preconception health, injury prevention, and mental health. For more information and to register, click here.

Beyond Shelter: Domestic Violence Advocacy and Housing
April 11, 2018 | Phoenix, AZ
This training is for advocates and others who support victims of domestic violence who are working towards permanent housing. As advocacy expands beyond shelter, please join us for this important discussion and training. Click here for more information and to register.

Law Enforcement & Homelessness: Forging Fruitful Partnerships
April 12, 2018 | Webinar
Through this webinar, we will provide an introduction to the causes of homelessness and its rise across the United States, highlight one city doing promising work in this area, and offer recommendations for communities to collaborate between law enforcement and service providers. In addition to the national perspective of two leading advocacy organizations, the presentation will highlight the unique experience of a former police officer who now provides legal services for people without homes. Click here to register.

2018 Spring Primary Care Conference: Population Health Management Track
May 20-21, 2018 | Portland, OR
The Population Health Management track aims to engage participants in an in-depth dialogue about, and provide useful tools and strategies for, effective population health management. Day 1 is designed to provide an introduction to community health development principles tested over the past several decades, then dive into the social determinants of health, develop sophisticated team-based workforce models, and explore value-based purchasing through strong care coordination. Day 2, under the guidance of national expert Andy Principe, will use Day 1 as a springboard into critical population health skill sets related to patient attribution, risk stratification, care management, data analytics, and accountable care partnering. Click here for more details and to register.

45th Annual Arizona Rural Health Conference
July 26-27, 2018 | Flagstaff, AZ
Save the dates! The 45th Annual Arizona Rural Health Conference at the High Country Conference Center, Flagstaff, Arizona. Full details here.

2018 STD Prevention Conference
August 27-30, 2018 | Washington D.C.
Save the Date! More details coming soon.

Health Justice: Empowering Public Health and Advancing Health Equity
October 4-6, 2018 | Phoenix, AZ
Join more than 600 practitioners, policymakers, lawyers, advocates and researchers in public health and other sectors at the 2018 Public Health Law Conference to learn about, and connect on the critical issues that impact the health of our communities. Click here for full details and to register.

Telemedicine & Telehealth Service Provide Summit (SPS)
October 8-9, 2018 | Glendale, AZ
SPS is a national conference focusing on linking telemedicine and telehealth service provider companies with hospitals,healthcare systems, clinics and others who need their services. SPS is about bringing better healthcare to patients, communities, and populations; improving outcomes; and reducing costs. It is about helping hospitals and healthcare systems to thrive through partnerships with telemedicine providers. Click here for details and to register.

CEO Hallway Conversations with John McDonald

Program Highlight - Health Center Development

Key Health Center Guidance

Upcoming AACHC Trainings & Events