In a significant win for Community Health Centers and Medicaid recipients, the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled in favor of the right of people in safety net programs to seek federal court protection if their health care and other essential benefits are jeopardized. The Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling in Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County v. Talevski that curbed the rights of Medicaid beneficiaries to sue states. This landmark ruling has far-reaching implications for Community Health Centers and the millions of Medicaid patients who rely on them for medical care. The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) played a key role in the case, filing an amicus brief urging the Court to uphold section 1983 and recognize its significance for the nation’s health centers.

The telemedicine bill was recently introduced and referred to the Banking and Insurance Committee. Senate Bill 739 has had many changes included since the version that was considered during the last legislative session. FQHCs are encouraged to review the newly introduced bill and provide PACHC with any concerns. The committee could potentially consider this bill in the later part of June. Contact Eric Kiehl, PACHC Director of Policy and Partnership with any feedback or concerns.

Legislation to extend a cost-of-living moratorium keeping thousands of senior citizens eligible for state prescription drug benefits despite increases in Social Security payments was approved Monday by a House committee. Read more.

 This edition of Grants in Motion focuses on a recipient of the Community Based Division’s Rural Health Care Coordination Program (RHCC). The RHCC Program supports rural health consortiums/networks aiming to achieve the overall goals of improving access, delivery, and quality of care through the application of care coordination strategies in rural communities.

This study from the Southwest Rural Health Research Center is a companion piece to the Healthy People 2030 initiative with a focus on the health priorities of rural people.

The Government Accountability Office discusses challenges rural communities face related to healthcare access, such as limited healthcare providers, travel distance and transportation issues, insurance coverage, and access to broadband.

Research in this section is provided by the HRSA/FORHP-supported Rural Health Research Gateway.  Sign up to receive alerts when new publications become available. 

  The nonprofit Commonwealth Fund takes a closer look at how Critical Access Hospitals and other rural providers partner to overcome challenges. The report profiles six regional partnerships that address staffing, quality improvement, contracts with payers, value-based payment, and community development.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is recruiting health centers with colorectal cancer screening rates less than 40% for the 2023-2024 Screening Interventions Project. This project leverages quality improvement (QI) strategies and resources to support public health agencies, healthcare providers, and screening advocates across the nation to promote and deliver cancer screening appropriately, safely, and equitably. Quality improvement projects are based on previous structured intervention projects done through shared learning. Healthcare systems will have the opportunity to engage with national partners to share best practices, challenges, and celebrations. ACS staff will provide strategy, materials, training and technical assistance, data and measurement tools, and the latest research to maximize project outcomes. Depending on availability, funding may be available to support health centers participating in this project. Please join PACHC and ACS for a project preview on July 18, 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm; register here. If you are unable to attend and would like to learn more, contact Kacie Jankoski at ACS.