The U.S. House Energy and Commerce (E&C) committee released its draft language for its section of the COVID Rescue/ Reconciliation bill. The draft includes $7.6 billion for FQHCs, as well as $800 million for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). There is also a significant funding boost for Teaching Health Centers ($330 million), an incentive for the 12 remaining states to expand Medicaid and a provision that could potentially expand FQHC 340B savings on Medicaid drugs. An overview of these provisions was included in the summary of Wednesday’s weekly PACHC call. FQHC Look-alikes are included in the $7.6 billion in FQHC funding. More details will follow as the reconciliation bill is finalized.

The Biden-Harris Administration announced efforts to ensure that the nation’s hardest-hit populations are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Starting the week of Feb. 15, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) will begin directly receiving vaccine supply. This program is part of a broader effort to ensure all communities are being reached in the national push to get people vaccinated. Community vaccination centers in underserved areas, the retail pharmacy program, mobile clinics, and efforts to increase vaccine confidence are also key tools to help states and communities vaccinate their most vulnerable populations. According to the administration, the program to directly distribute vaccine to FQHCs will be slowly phased in, with limited supply. Initially, only 25 health centers across the country will receive direct distribution of vaccine, and none of these health centers is in Pennsylvania. The following several weeks, vaccine will be sent directly to 250 of the nation’s 1,400 FQHCs. The Administration will increase overall, weekly vaccine supply to states, Tribes, and territories to 11 million doses nationwide, a 28 percent increase since taking office on Jan. 20.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health launched a new tool called Your Turn to help Pennsylvanians understand where they fall in the vaccine prioritization effort and to be alerted when it is their turn to schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine. If an individual does not have internet access or is unable to use the Your Turn tool, they can call 877-PA-HEALTH and speak with a representative to determine eligibility. If an individual is eligible, the representative will help the individual locate nearby vaccine providers and provide contact information so the individual can make a vaccine appointment directly with a provider. Your Turn will be used for the sole purpose of determining eligibility for receiving a COVID-19 vaccination in Pennsylvania and will replace the current eligibility quiz on pa.gov. Click here to learn more.