MPCA News Feed

Four Michigan Community Health Centers Among Top Health Care Providers Honored by Health Plan of Michigan

MPCA — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Four Michigan Community Health Centers- Downriver Community Services, Family Health Center of Battle Creek, Hackley Community Care Center, and InterCare Community Health Network- have been named among the state's top health care providers by Health Plan of Michigan. The Detroit-based Medicaid HMO identified 19 top primary care offices based on their excellence in quality and service.

Downriver Community Services provides comprehensive primary and preventive health care services to the uninsured and medically underserved in Michigan's St. Clair and Macomb Counties. It also operates a Health Care for the Homeless program, providing clinical services and case management to various shelters, soup kitchens, and homeless settings through the two Counties.

Family Health Center of Battle Creek's two sites in Battle Creek and Albion are designated by the federal government as Community Health Centers and Health Care for the Homeless Centers. They provide a wide array of health care services to patients of all ages, from newborn to seniors.

Located in Muskegon Heights, Hackley Community Care Center serves residents of Muskegon County along the shores of Lake Michigan. They provide a complete spectrum of health care services to increase access to care for area residents that promote and support their total health.

InterCare Community Health Network operates six Community/Migrant Health Centers in Allegan, Berrien, Kent, Ottawa, and VanBuren Counties. It served over 46,000 patients in 2008, 81% of whom were below poverty level and 49% who were uninsured.

Downriver Community Services, Family Health Center of Battle Creek, Hackley Community Care Center, and InterCare Community Health Network are four of Michigan's 31 Community Health Center organizations which serve nearly 600,000 Michigan residents and operate 160 sites across the state. For 45 years, Community Health Centers have been providing quality, comprehensive, accessible health care to individuals and families regardless of income or insurance status.

More Patients Gain Access to Health Care at Health Centers Thanks to Stimulus Funding

MPCA — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:00:00 GMT

As Community Health Centers across the country prepare to celebrate National Health Center Week, which kicks off on August 8, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) has released a report showing that more patients have gained access to health care through Health Centers thanks to stimulus funding.

America's Health Centers, including those in Michigan, have put funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to good use, rapidly expanding access to care and generating economic benefits for low-income communities.

Health Centers committed to reaching nearly 2.9 million new patients during ARRA's two-year funding window. The NACHC report shows that just one year later, Health Centers have nearly met that goal, already reaching 2.1 million patients, including over 1 million uninsured patients.

The stimulus funding has supported the care of 67,467 patients in Michigan Health Centers alone, including over 28,000 uninsured residents. What's more, the $46 million in ARRA funding invested in Michigan Health Centers has generated a total economic impact on the state's communities in excess of $81 million.

Click here to access the NACHC report. Click here to learn more about National Health Center Week.

Governor Granholm Visits Construction Site of New Benton Harbor Health Center

MPCA — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:00:00 GMT

While in Benton Harbor on July 20, Governor Granholm visited the construction site of InterCare Community Health Network's new Benton Harbor Health Center that is scheduled to open in 2011. The new 40,0000 square foot state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly Health Center will replace two existing sites in Benton Harbor to improve patient flow, increase efficiency, and meet demand for services that is projected to increase 35 percent in the next few years.

An official groundbreaking celebration will take place during National Health Center Week, held the second week of August each year to raise awareness of the mission and accomplishments of America's Health Centers.

Construction of the new Benton Harbor site is being funded by stimulus dollars that InterCare Community Health Network, a Bangor-based Community Health Center, received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's Facility Investment Program.

"To receive these funds and be able to serve this community in a new facility is the realization of a long-held dream," said Velma Hendershott, InterCare Community Health Network's Chief Executive Officer.

Up to 45 full-time construction jobs will be created by the project. In addition to existing staff, the new facility will house three new medical providers, at least two new dental providers, and more mental health professionals. Additional patient support jobs will also be created.

InterCare Community Health Network is one of Michigan's 31 Community Health Center organizations that provide quality, comprehensive, accessible primary and preventive health care to nearly 600,000 Michigan residents at over 160 sites across the state, regardless of income or insurance status.

To learn more about InterCare Community Health Network, go to www.intercare.org/. For more information about Michigan Community Health Centers, visit www.mpca.net.

Meaningful Use Final Rule Released: Key to Electronic Health Record Incentive Dollars and Health Care Transformation

M-CEITA — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 04:00:00 GMT

After months of anticipation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released the Meaningful Use Final Rule. Meaningful Use rules establish criteria for using electronic health records that Michigan health care providers will have to meet to claim up to $63,750 in federal stimulus dollars. More importantly, Meaningful Use provides clarity regarding how health information technology should be used to improve health care quality, increase efficiency of the care delivery system, reduce health disparities, and further engage patients and their families in health care.

MPCA Community HealthCorps Receives AmeriCorps Funding for Coming Year

MPCA — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 04:00:00 GMT

The Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) Community HealthCorps program is among 25 organizations in Michigan to receive AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service for fiscal year 2011. It will receive $233,992 to place 18 members at Community Health Centers across the state in the coming year, as it moves in a new direction by providing support for Patient and Community Navigation.

Governor Granholm Proclaims August 8-14 National Health Center Week in Michigan

MPCA — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 04:00:00 GMT

On behalf of the residents of Michigan, Governor Jennifer Granholm has proclaimed the week of August 8, 2010, as Health Center Week in Michigan.

Whereas, Community Health Centers are nonprofit, community-owned and operated health care providers serving uninsured and medically underserved people in the state of Michigan; and,

Whereas, Expanding access to quality care, Health Centers contain costs by fostering prevention and integrating the delivery of primary care with aggressive outreach, patient education, translation and other enabling services; and,

Whereas, Community Health Centers are staffed by doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals who have chosen to serve in communities in need, helping to expand the reach of primary care and preventive health services; and,

Whereas, Michigan's Community Health Centers have made great strides in the health care system by maintaining high standards of accountability, demonstrating cost effectiveness and efficiency, and empowering communities to address unmet health care needs in order to reduce health disparities, preventable deaths, costly disabilities, and communicable diseases;

"I encourage the residents of this state to recognize the important contributions of Community Health Centers in safeguarding health and improving the quality of life for all," said Governor Granholm.

Mark Your Calendar for National Health Center Week, August 8-14

MPCA — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Each year, the second week in August is a time to recognize the highly-effective and efficient Health Center model of care. Health Centers are community-owned and operated providers of comprehensive, quality primary and preventive care that is open to all regardless of income or insurance status.

This year's theme of "Celebrating America's Health Centers: Turning Vision into Reality" will be the focus of National Health Center Week events held nationwide the week of August 8-14, 2010. This year's celebration is extra special because 2010 marks the 45th anniversary of the creation of the Health Centers program. Today, Community Health Centers are the health care home for over 20 million people across the country, including nearly 600,000 Michigan residents.

We invite you to attend a National Health Center Week event in your community. There are 31 Health Centers in Michigan, which operate over 160 delivery sites. To find a Health Center near you, go to www.mpca.net and use the Health Center locater and type in your zip code. For a list of National Health Center Week events, go to www.healthcenterweek.org - events are continually being added.

Michigan Health Centers Applaud Passage of Historic Health Reform Legislation

MPCA — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

During the late hours of Sunday, March 21, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Senate's historic health care bill, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," by a vote of 219-212, as well as amendments to that bill made by House members and President Obama by a vote of 220-211.

During the vote, Michigan's Rep. John Dingell (D-Dearborn) was given a standing ovation by his colleagues in recognition of his 55-year fight for health care for all.

Michigan's House members voted along party lines, with all Democrats (Conyers, Dingell, Kildee, Kilpatrick, Levin, Peters, Schauer, and Stupak) voting yes. All Republicans in Michigan's delegation voted no (Camp, Ehlers, Hoekstra, McCotter, Miller, Rogers, and Upton).

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which will provide health care coverage to 32 million Americans, contains many provisions for expanding Health Centers and strengthening their ability to provide care to more people in medically underserved communities and shortage areas. It invests $11 billion in new funding to grow the Health Centers program over the next five years to provide care to 20-25 million more individuals.

MPCA Hosting Children's Health Enrollment Events During Cover the Uninsured Week

MPCA — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

This week, March 14-20, marks Cover the Uninsured Week 2010. Each year the number of uninsured increases across the country and in Michigan, making efforts to provide health care coverage to all a more pressing need.

Today, 46 million Americans are uninsured, including over 1 million Michigan residents. More than 9 million children living in the United States lack health insurance, as do over 150,000 Michigan children. The percentage of uninsured children in our state rose from 4.7% to 6.2% from 2006 to 2007, and among the youngest children age 0 to 5 years, the rated jumped from 4.6% to 7.8%.

To combat this growing trend, Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) in partnership with the Michigan Association of United Ways has launched a 2-year grassroots initiative to reach out to and enroll children across the state of Michigan in two free and low-cost health insurance programs, HealthyKids and MIChild.

During Cover the Uninsured Week next week and beyond, MPCA in partnership with Community Health Centers and other community organizations is hosting outreach enrollment events in communities across the state. Go to www.mpca.net/enrollmentevents.html for a complete list of the events.

Cover the Uninsured, a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is a nationwide effort to raise awareness that too many Americans are living without health insurance, and to demand solutions. To learn more, go to www.covertheuninsured.org.

To learn more about the MPCA Children's Health Insurance Enrollment Initiative, or to contact a MPCA Community Outreach Specialist, go to www.mpca.net/enroll.html.

Michigan Primary Care Association Communication Director honored with national advocacy award

NACHC — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:00:00 GMT

Dana Hughes, Communications Director at the Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA), was awarded the Elizabeth K. Cooke Grassroots Advocacy Award at the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) Policy & Issues Forum held last week in Washington, DC.
Hughes was among 15 recipients honored for legislative and grassroots advocacy work supporting Community Health Centers.

As Communications Director at MPCA, Hughes works closely with Michigan Health Centers helping them spread the word about community involvement and their commitment to excellence in heath care. She is also heavily involved with NACHC and works tirelessly to educate the public about the need for and benefit of Community Health Centers as well as fostering relationships with legislators and key policy makers on a state and national level.
Hughes said the award is validation of her mission and passion to educate and advance awareness of Community Health Centers.

"Receiving this award is such an honor," she said. "Spreading the word that Community Health Centers are THE model for ensuring those most in need have access to quality health care is something I feel very passionate about, and helping people connect with their legislators to voice their opinions and see that they can actually make a difference is so rewarding."

Hughes began her work at MPCA in July 2003 and in that time has developed a wealth of resources Health Centers can utilize to promote their mission. She facilitates regular discussions on marketing and effective communications and is a leader in shaping a united and consistent communication strategy for both MPCA and Michigan's Community Health Centers.
MPCA Executive Director Kim Sibilsky said that Hughes' commitment to Health Center Advocacy is apparent in everything she does.

"It was a real thrill to see Dana receive this well deserved award," Sibilsky said. "Not only is she creative and hard working, she is a critical driver of change and innovation in communications in Michigan and the nation.

Members of Michigan Congressional Delegation Honored with National Health Care Awards

MPCA — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT

At the National Association of Community Health Centers' (NACHC) Policy & Issues Forum held March 23-28 in Washington, DC, Michigan's U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, and Congressmen John Conyers, John Dingell, Vernon Ehlers, Dale Kildee, Gary Peters, Mike Rogers, Mark Schauer, Bart Stupak, and Fred Upton were recognized for their strong support of Health Centers in Michigan and across the country.

Senator Stabenow was named a Distinguished Community Health Champion for her leadership on behalf of those who rely on America's Health Centers for their health care. She has worked tirelessly as a member of the Senate Finance Committee throughout health reform to ensure that low-income communities are guaranteed access to primary care and a Health Center home.

Congressman Dingell was named a Distinguished Community Health Defender for his long-time commitment to Community Health Center initiatives. He understands that Health Centers provide a network of quality, affordable, primary and preventive health care for this state's and this nation's most vulnerable residents. His actions affirm that he is committed to preserving, strengthening, and expanding the Health Center program, which will save money and lead to a healthier nation.

ARRA and Health Centers: One Year Later

NACHC — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:15:00 GMT

Community Health Centers provide quality health care to 20 million people.

MPCA, Michigan Health Centers Help Get Health Insurance for Children

MPCA — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Community Health Centers Mark Progress At One-Year Stimulus Anniversary

MPCA — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

People and communities are healthier thanks to the investment in America's Community Health Centers from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), also known as the "economic stimulus."

The law, enacted one year ago this week, provided funds that helped Health Centers expand care to the growing numbers of unemployed and uninsured people who were quickly filling up their waiting rooms. To increase capacity and serve more people, many Health Centers were able to keep or recruit new staff, such as nurses, doctors and dentists, and renovate or even build new facilities.

"The economic stimulus investment has made a substantial difference at Michigan Community Health Centers and in communities across the state," said Kim Sibilsky, Executive Director, Michigan Primary Care Association. "Michigan Health Centers have been able to reach more patients who need care, but the numbers alone don't tell the whole success story. Health Centers are seeing families who are struggling because of the recession. Many of them had health insurance before and now don't. The stimulus has made it possible for Health Centers in our state to reach out to these new patients and show them the comprehensive, quality, accessible, affordable care provided at Community Health Centers can meet all of their health care needs under one roof so they can stay healthy during this challenging time."

MPCA Joins in Celebrating One-Year Anniversary of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act

MPCA — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) joins the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA).

Under this historic legislation MPCA received $915,079 in grant funding to launch a community-based initiative to enroll children in two health insurance programs recently expanded through CHIPRA. Both HealthyKids and MIChild offer families comprehensive health coverage including regular check‐ups, dental care, immunizations and prescription drugs.

"Over 140,000 Michigan children lack health insurance coverage because their parents have lost their jobs, employer-sponsored coverage has been eliminated, or it simply costs too much," said Phillip Bergquist, CHIPRA Program Manager. "An overwhelming number of families think they can't get health insurance coverage because they make too much money when, in reality, the majority of children covered by MIChild, the state's Children's Health Insurance Program, come from working families."

To help identify eligible children and get them enrolled, MPCA, working through the Community HealthCorps program, is bringing enrollment specialists to Community Health Centers, schools, migrant camps, churches, homeless shelters, and other community organizations from Marquette to Detroit to get children covered.

"We want to impact the lives of 12,000 children in the next two years, and ultimately reduce the number of uninsured children in our state to zero," said Bergquist.

Since CHIPRA was signed into law one year ago, 2.6 million more children have been served by Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program at some point during the past 12 months. Nearly five million children, however, are still eligible for Medicaid or CHIP but not enrolled.

To read more about the one-year anniversary as highlighted in "The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act One Year Later: Connecting Kids to Coverage" released this week by HHS, click here.

MPCA Honors Sen. Cherry, Rep. McDowell as Champions for the Medically Underserved

MPCA — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

At its Legislative Forum held February 2, 2010, Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) presented Senator Deborah Cherry (D-District 26) and Representative Gary McDowell (D-District 107) with the Champion for the Medically Underserved Award.

MPCA Launches 2010 Legislative Priorities Aimed at Protecting the Health of the State's Medically Underserved Residents

MPCA — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA), the voice for Community Health Centers across the state, held its annual Legislative Forum on February 2, 2010, to educate state legislators about the comprehensive primary and preventive care they provide to nearly 600,000 state residents.

"For over 30 years, Michigan Community Health Centers have been delivering comprehensive primary care to the medically underserved communities of our state," said Kim Sibilsky, Executive Director, MPCA. "These organizations are on the front lines of health care serving the most vulnerable populations in rural and inner city communities. Nearly 33% of Health Center patients are uninsured; 70% have family incomes at or below poverty level; and nearly 45% receive public insurance benefits."

In order to continue the mission of promoting, supporting, and developing comprehensive, accessible, and affordable community-based health care services for everyone in Michigan, Michigan Primary Care Association has outlined five legislative priorities it would like to partner with the State of Michigan in achieving during 2010:

Health Centers Stand Ready to Care for Millions More Under Reformed Health Care System

MPCA — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

With the number of uninsured residents in Michigan and across the country continuing to rise, and as more and more people have difficulty accessing quality health care they can afford, NOW is the time for Congress to reform the American health care system. And NOW is the time for U.S. lawmakers to recognize that Community Health Centers stand ready to serve as the health care home for 60 million Americans in the years ahead.

Please contact your Members of Congress TODAY using the NACHC Advocacy hotline at 1.866.456.3949 and let them know that you want them to continue on the path toward health care reform that includes a renewed commitment to strengthening and expanding the Health Center program. Today, Community Health Centers provide comprehensive primary and preventive health care for 20 million Americans, including nearly 600,000 Michigan residents.

Or, you can send an e-mail to your Members - click the Read More button below to log into the NACHC online advocacy center and send your message.

Registration for 2010 MPCA Legislative Forum Now Open

MPCA — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Registration for Michigan Primary Care Association's 2010 Legislative Forum is now open. This year is sure to be an action-packed, life-changing legislative year, with the majority of State Senate seats and the governorship up for election, the continuation of Michigan's economic crisis, and landmark efforts to reform the U.S. health care system forging ahead.Educating our elected officials is critical to ensure that Community Health Centers and the issues that most affect them, their patients, and their communities remain top-of-mind, namely developing Michigan's health care workforce; providing health coverage for all of the state's low-income residents; modernizing Michigan's outdated revenue structure; maintaining the integrity of Medicaid; and reinstating the Medicaid adult dental benefit.So please join us in Lansing on February 2 for the annual Legislative Forum to learn how together we can impact the future and to nurture relationships with your state legislators through one-on-one visits - they need to hear from you! Click the Read More button below to access the registration packet, which includes the agenda and registration forms.

Senate Health Reform Bill Clears Another Hurdle

MPCA — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

In today's early hours, the U.S. Senate approved a procedural motion by a vote of 60-40 setting the stage for passage of its health care bill later this week. Please contact your U.S. Senator today to ask him/her to vote yes on the Senate health reform bill - click the Read More button below for contact information. Included in this version of the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act is a $10 billion investment in Community Health Centers, thanks to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). In a statement posted on his web site, Sen. Sanders said the additional resources "will help bring about a revolution in primary health care in America and create new or expanded Health Centers in an additional 10,000 communities." It will also provide loan repayments and scholarships through the National Health Service Corps to create an additional 20,000 primary care doctors, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and mental health professionals.