Project Access NOW’s Post

I want to highlight the role of Community Health Workers and how they navigate many of our most challenging health and social intersections. They are not providers, but they are well-versed in translating the why and how of health care. They fill an important role in our network of care and know just how deeply social determinants of health affect communities and we should absolutely make it sustainable. https://lnkd.in/e5-JQmyq

Advocates for Community Health led over 550 health care organizations in urging Congress to reauthorize the Community Health Center Fund (CHCF) in an end-of-year funding package, at a minimum of $5.8 billion per year for at least three years. In a letter delivered to Congressional leaders today, national, state, and local organizations representing all 50 U.S. states and territories outlined the critical need for a robust funding increase for the CHCF, which is set to expire on December 31, 2024, to meet the record-breaking patient volumes and unprecedented financial challenges that health centers are facing. The signers of the letter expressed concerns about the insufficient federal funding to address the increasing needs of communities amidst mental health, substance abuse, and maternal health crises, as well as local emergencies like hurricanes, wildfires, and tornadoes. While acknowledging a recent short-term funding increase, the group emphasized the importance of a long-term reauthorization, which has not been enacted since 2019. “Health centers simply can no longer do more with less and cannot operate in legislative cycles of uncertainty,” said ACH Chief Executive Officer Amanda Pears Kelly. “These actions have a severe and long-term impact on our nation’s communities, the hundreds of thousands of employees working in health centers, and the health and wellbeing of the patients they serve.” Read the press release: https://hubs.li/Q02QjQNK0 📑 Senator Alex Padilla Laphonza Butler Scott Peters Darrell Issa #CHCs #ValueCHCs #communityhealth #healthcenters #primarycare #healthpolicy #Congress #healthcare #healthequity #FQHC #healthcarefunding #healthfunding #advocacy #SanYsidroHealth #SYHealth #CHCs4CA

Understanding the social determinants of health can lead to better identifying and addressing the non-medical issues facing communities. Additionally, community health advocates can better target solutions that address the short and long-term impacts the determinant has – which can help improve the quality and outcomes of a hospital or clinic visit – leading to more equitable health outcomes. 

Research shows that 80% of health is determined by factors such as homelessness, food insecurity, and exposure to intimate partner violence. The Commonwealth Fund's recent research sheds light on Drivers of Health policy and essential aspects of implementation and measurement. They highlight ways that federal programs support adoption, which Civitas wholeheartedly supports. Learn more https://lnkd.in/eBnfV-bi

Health care workforce is a top priority for states – with states executing a number of different strategies. As part of our work with many states across the country, I am excited to share an updated tracker on how states are building and sustaining community health workers. Expansion of the CHW workforce is a part of state strategies to center communities in decision making and connect people in need to vital services and supports. Tracker topics include Medicaid coverage, definitions, training and certification and how states are engaging CHWs in these policy decisions. I hope you’ll check it out: https://lnkd.in/edWw8Mr5

In this morning's article by Dr. Drew Altman, President & CEO of KFF, his focus is on how health care institutions and public health programs are broadening their horizons to tackle socio-economic issues affecting health outcomes. This expansion includes initiatives like addressing gun violence and homelessness, reflecting a shift from traditional health care priorities. However, there's debate over whether this "healthification" of socio-economic problems is effective and warranted, raising questions about the appropriate role of health systems in addressing such issues. One approach involves hospitals, health systems, and Medicaid programs extending their reach to address social determinants of health. While some argue for caution, suggesting that these efforts may divert resources from their intended purpose, others advocate for targeted interventions, particularly for high-risk groups or chronic conditions. Additionally, Medicaid initiatives supporting transitional housing and partnerships between health systems and social services organizations demonstrate efforts to address broader community needs. Yet, the broader socio-economic challenges require solutions beyond the health system's scope, emphasizing the need for collaboration with experts in other fields and the implementation of broader social policies. #healthcare #publichealth #socioeconomicissues #Medicaid #socialdeterminants #communityhealth #SDOH https://lnkd.in/gtBPSidF

TFAH President and CEO, Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, Dr. David Blumenthal, former president of The Commonwealth Fund, and Rachel Nuzum Senior VP for Policy of The Commonwealth Fund, discuss the impact of the serious mismatch between the nation's #publichealth #funding and needs in a new article published this week in Health Affairs Forefront. Chronic public health underfunding not only made the U.S. more susceptible to COVID-19 deaths and disruptions it has also hampered programs intended to address the leading causes of chronic disease, death, and disability in the U.S. Drs. Gracia and Blumenthal argue that Congress must continuously invest in the public health system including by providing at least $4.5 billion per year to rebuild the nation's public health infrastructure. Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/ewjw_pge

The King's Fund responds to Liberal Democrat pledge to provide £1 billion a year to restore the local Public Health : Commenting on a pledge from the Liberal Democrats to provide £1 billion a year to restore the local Public Health Grant, Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive of The King’s Fund, said : ‘We warmly welcome this commitment from the Liberal Democrats to restore the Public Health Grant to previous funding levels. Prevention is better than cure and that has never been truer than at a time when NHS services are full to bursting point.  ‘The evidence shows that investing in public health at a local level is a highly cost-effective use of public spending and reduces use of higher acuity health services. Cuts made to the Public Health Grant since 2015/16 have had a major impact on local services – such as sexual health clinics, smoking cessation services and children’s health visitors – which play a key role in protecting and improving people’s health. ‘While this injection of funds would be welcome, we would like to see all of the major political parties commit to bold government action1 on the biggest risk factors in our communities - smoking, obesity, clean air, alcohol - that lead to ill health and early death.  ‘Although local government leaders will welcome this increase to an individual funding grant, local authorities provide a huge range of services that support health and wellbeing in our local communities. It is therefore crucial that all parties present a credible plan to properly fund local government.’ https://lnkd.in/ea7UBpDP

Recent independent investigation into the NHS by Professor Lord Darzi of Denham, reveals the shortcomings of the UK healthcare system and highlights the impact felt by homeless people. People experiencing homelessness are more likely to have health conditions that require treatment. It’s no secret that accessing NHS services is complicated and patients face long-waiting times; and for homeless people who are 4x more likely to attend A&E than the general population, many do not receive the care they require. It’s shocking that despite it not being a legal requirement, only 31% of people without an ID/address were able to register with a GP. As the numbers of people in temporary accommodation continue to grow, the relationship between societal health and an increase in homelessness can’t be ignored and limited access to community and primary care places a costly burden on emergency services and urgent care. Whilst improving community services outside of hospitals is an important part of ending homelessness, fighting homelessness is ALSO itself an important part of improving the state of the NHS. Improving the spending of the NHS budget, making care more accessible, and investing in community services outside of hospitals is imperative for improving the quality of the NHS across the UK. As poor health precipitates homelessness, addressing homelessness requires improving access to healthcare. 

Back in July, I contributed my lived experience and co-authored this article, part of the Health Affairs Forefront series on Medicare and Medicaid Integration! As an Amplify Speaker and a seat on the Consumer Scholars Round Table, I advocated for health plans to include peer specialists in Enrollee Advisory Committees (EACs). Our group emphasized the importance of community health workers, peer specialists, and plan members as EAC leaders. They bring invaluable perspectives, foster inclusive and representative spaces, and bridge the differences in language, culture, and experience. Let's champion diverse voices in shaping the future of integrated care! Check out our other insights in the latest article, discussing recommendations for D-SNPs to navigate misalignments with Enrollee Advisory Committees. Best Practice? Peers should be at the tables where the decisions about them are being made. My absolute favorite (and most challenging) role of being a Peer Specialist, is being a change agent. 💪🏼 #HealthEquity #HealthCare #Medicare #Medicaid #PeerSpecialist #CamdenCoalition #OaksintegratedCare #systemsofcare