Roughly 16 to 17 million people in the United States call community health centers across the country their medical home and The National Association of Community Health Centers hopes to increase this number to 30 million patients by 2015. It could save the health care system as much as $40 billion annually.
Lougene Marsh, executive director of the Flint Hills Community Health Center, which serves Lyon County as well as surrounding counties, went to Washington, D.C., last week with representatives of health centers around the country to meet with leaders on Capitol Hill to discuss health care initiatives. The association holds a conference every year and while there, representatives of the health centers take advantage of being in D.C.
Marsh said representatives from community health care centers visit with members of Congress about what the legislative issues are.
“Every year the National Association of Community Health Centers has a policy and issues forum,” Marsh said. “... It’s really about education and identifying issues that are important to us.”
In the National Association of Community Health Center’s 2008 Federal Legislative Agenda, Marsh identified three key issues. The first one is the re-authorization of the community health care program bill, the Vitality of Health Centers Program. The program is up for re-authorization, Marsh said. The program provides for patient majority governance; openness to all regardless of ability to pay; access to comprehensive primary and preventive care; and targets resources to communities with pressing health care needs.
The second issue Marsh talked about was appropriations to community health care centers. Marsh said President George Bush had a major initiative to expand the number of community health centers across the nation.
“In his fiscal year ’09 budget there was a very small increase for community health centers,” Marsh said. That increase doesn’t allow for more expansion.
What the National Association of Community Health Centers is seeking is an increase of $248 million.
“To continue to expand access ... and to expand services, particularly dental and behavioral health services,” Marsh said.
Medicare access to community health centers was the last key issue Marsh talked about. She said the Medicare cap hasn’t been adjusted for 15 years and it’s time for an adjustment.
Also on her trip, Marsh presented Rep. Jerry Moran with a “Super Hero” award for his work with community health centers.
“Clearly Rep. Moran is very supportive of community health centers,” she said.
Sen. Pat Roberts also was presented with an award for his support of community health centers.