Message from the CEO
Welcome to the summer issue of our Access newsletter! It’s hard to believe that we are more than halfway through 2023 and we have some very exciting updates to share with all of you.
CPCA Conferences: Learn and Engage with Community Health Center Experts
Highlights from the 2023 Financial Conference for CFOs and Billing Managers
On May 31-June 2, 2023, California Primary Care Association (CPCA) hosted the 2023 Financial Conference for CFOs and Billing Managers in La Jolla, CA at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine. More than 350 community health center (CHC) professionals gathered to learn and share strategies to improve the financial strength and sustainability of California’s CHCs.
Disaster and Emergency Readiness for Health Centers: Training Materials and Resources
Thanks to the participation and input from community health center (CHC) members of California Primary Care Association’s (CPCA) Emergency Management Peer Network, the association has completed two projects to support CHCs in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from certain emergency/disaster incidents.
SUPPORTING HEALTH CENTERS IN NAVIGATING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY UNWINDING PROCESS AND A HISTORIC LEVEL OF MEDI-CAL REDETERMINATIONS
The federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) officially ended on May 11, 2023, but many of the policies enacted during the pandemic to allow necessary flexibility and resources for community health centers (CHC) to serve their patients and communities have since been “de-linked” from the PHE. To support CHCs in navigating the PHE unwinding process and ensure they can continue to provide high-quality, equitable care to their communities, California Primary Care Association (CPCA) continues to engage with state and federal agencies and provide members with forthcoming guidance related to the PHE unwinding.
Empowering Health Centers to Lead Climate Change Resilience Efforts
The California Primary Care Association (CPCA) is committed to supporting health centers in building capacity to become resilient to the impacts of climate change, ensure the continuity of essential healthcare services, and protect the health and wellbeing of communities in the face of environmental challenges.
Influencing State Budget Investment & Regulations to Enhance Oral Health Care at Community Health Centers
The California Primary Care Association (CPCA) recognizes the importance of ensuring health centers have the financial resources and regulatory flexibility to provide and enhance comprehensive, accessible oral health care. Our continued work encompasses both policy and programmatic efforts, focusing on influencing regulatory flexibilities and budget investment, as well as providing training and educational resources to health centers.
SDOH Learning Cohort: Advancing Patient-Centered Data Collection at Health Centers
The SDOH Learning Cohort is a comprehensive online training program designed to assist community health centers (CHCs) in initiating or advancing their journey towards collecting Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) data. Specifically tailored for CHCs with varied resources, workforce, and engagement, this training is designed to equip health centers with the knowledge, tools, and best practices needed to collect SDOH data effectively.
Capitalizing on California’s Community Health Center Workforce Investment
On September 29, 2022, Governor Newsom signed the health omnibus bill, AB 204, which included a $75 million investment in the community health center (CHC) workforce. This was a significant investment given the unprecedented combination of labor market disruptions that required CHCs to focus more heavily on training and retaining their workforce. Given the unique opportunity, CPCA actively engaged the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) on program implementation.
CPCA Welcomes Additions to the Team!
Data Exchange Framework Initiative Grant Funding and Trainings
AB 133 established the Data Exchange Framework (DxF), a statewide health and human services data exchange framework for most health care providers. On or before January 31, 2024, as specified by California Health and Human Services’ Data Sharing Agreement (DSA), most signatories will be required to start exchanging health information or provide access to health information for treatment, payment, or health care operations.
CPCA’s New Member Engagement Site Visit Program
California Primary Care Association (CPCA) has developed a Health Center Site Visit Program, which was launched in August during National Health Center Week (NHCW - August 6-12, 2023). The program kick-off includes 23 health center visits during NHCW, with continued outreach and visit coordination throughout the year. Through the program, CPCA aims to increase visibility of the community health center (CHC) impact in California and increase opportunities for CHCs to connect with CPCA staff, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and relationship-building.
Administrative Advocacy through CPCA’s DHCS PPS Workgroup
Earlier this year, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) responded to requests from California Primary Care Association (CPCA) staff to communicate that it is ready to resume our conversations around administrative efforts to reform and improve the Medi-Cal prospective payment system (PPS) policy.