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Health Providers Gird for DHHS Cuts
Under Compromise Deal
On Wednesday, February 8th, the Bangor Daily News featured an article noting the bipartisan deal to close the budget gap at DHHS and highlighting that health care providers are still bracing for deep cuts.
Members of the Legislature’s budget committee pushed back against Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to drop coverage and tighten eligibility for some MaineCare beneficiaries, but left intact cuts to reimbursement rates for hospitals. Under the deal passed unanimously early Wednesday morning, hospitals will lose $10.1 million over the next two years on services they provide to MaineCare patients.
To read the article in its entirety, click here.
2012 Annual Conference Theme Announced
This year's conference, "Health Reform Ready: Community Health Centers as Assets, Allies & Innovators” speaks to the evolving role of health care safety net sites as cornerstones in their communities and addresses efforts underway to reshape the access to and delivery of care.
Our 2012 event will bring together a diverse speaker panel with expertise in the emerging health care landscape resulting from the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
We look forward to carrying on our tradition of launching the event with ½ day workshops, to be followed by a social reception recognizing the recipients of our annual Clinical Excellence awards. On Thursday, October 25th, we will host a day of sessions dedicated to this year’s theme.
This year’s workshops - scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 24th - will include:
- The Path to Achieving Meaningful Use & Data Driven Quality Outcomes
- Community Board Development & Governance: Transforming Community Members
into Community Health Center Ambassadors
- Emergency Preparedness: Emphasizing the Community Health Component
of Community Health Centers
- Medical/Dental Directors Retreat
Sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities are now available online.
Early February Edition of Newsletter is Now Available
Featured articles include:
- MPCA’s 2012 Annual Conference
- Taking the Community Apgar Project Back to the Communities
- Quality Counts 2012
- PCMH Collaborative
- MPCA/MaineCDC Emergency Prophylaxis Pilot Project
- Community-based Primary Care Training in Maine
- Health Reform Highlights
To register for our newsletter and receive the latest news relating to community health centers, MPCA and Maine’s health care safety net, click here.
MPCA Issues Call to Action in Reponse to Governor’s Proposed Supplemental Budget for SFY 2012 - 2013
The Governor’s proposed supplemental budget for SFY 2012 – 2013, with its cuts to MaineCare eligibility, MaineCare services and benefits and other programs supported by the Fund for a Healthy Maine, will cause long-lasting harm to the safety net of FQHCs, the health of Maine's underserved and people in poverty, and Maine's economy.
MPCA is urging folks to reach out to their local policymakers to oppose these cuts and to protect Maine’s health care safety net.
For talking points prepared by Kevin Lewis, CEO, in response to the proposed supplemental budget, click here.
Health Access Network (Lincoln) Begins Search for CEO
Health Access Network, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Lincoln, Maine, is seeking a dynamic seasoned leader to provide overall direction and administration of health center operations, assuring the center and staff meet the goals and objectives of the health center’s mission. To see the CEO advertisement in its entirety, click here.
MPCA Releases White Paper on Opiate Use & Prescribing
MPCA is pleased to announce the release of the first white paper in the Health Care Safety Net Series. Opiate Use for Chronic, Non-Cancer Pain (CNCP), addresses the issues around treatment of prescribing for chronic pain and identifies viable options to shift the use of opiates for chronic, non-cancer pain from analgesic benefit to functionality.
For a PDF copy of the white paper, click here.
MPCA Recognizes 2011 Clinical Excellence Award Recipients
It is was with great pride on behalf of MPCA's staff and Board of Directors that we recognized the recipients of this year's Clinical Excellence Awards last night (Oct. 19). The awards ceremony was coordinated in conjunction with MPCA’s 9th annual conference. Included below are the five categories and recipients of this year’s awards:
Physician Excellence Award
Carl Flynn, MD, Pines Health Services
Excellence in Dentistry
Kimberly M. Riitano, RDH, Penobscot Community Dental Center,
Penobscot Community Health Care
Nurse Practitioner Excellence Award
Jennifer Desmond, FNP, Islands Community Medical Services, Inc.
Physician's Assistant Excellence Award
Kenneth Nadeau, PA-C, Helen Hunt Health Center,
Penobscot Community Health Care
Excellence in Behavioral Health
Serita Corey-Childs, LCSW, RPT-S, Harrington Family Health Center
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