“Here in Washington, we’re engaged in another annual ritual: speculation on how long it will take the U.S. Senate to finish the job they were sent here to do, and how much business they can cram into their last few weeks. This year, it’s all about the health reform debate.” – John Sawyer, Health Centers on the Hill

A new report from Avalere Health, a highly-regarded health care research and economic analysis firm, finds that Community Health Centers (CHCs) reduce utilization and spending for other, costlier types of care, including emergency room and inpatient hospital care.

This award is given each year to a living individual in recognition of his or her exceptionally meritorious contribution to the improvement of health of the people. The award honors creativity of particular effectiveness in applying scientific knowledge or innovative organizational work to the betterment of community health.

NACHC’s 2009 Financial and Operations Management/Information Technology Conference drew hundreds of health center leaders to Las Vegas, Nevada last week and was a tremendous success. (View sessions that you missed at the NACHC LiveLearning Center.) Attention now turns to the annual State and Regional Primary Care Association Conference, getting underway in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Information on the 2010 Policy and Issues Forum is now available as well!

Downloadable one page flu essentials available in English and 10 other languages are a great way to help educate patients, staff and others on at-risk populations for H1N1, ways to avoid illness, and how to care for sick family members. – Mollie Melbourne, Health Center Emergency Management

In chronicling Maine’s efforts to provide adequate health care to its residents, the New York Times noted increased traffic at health centers, including Penobscot Community Health Care in Bangor. – Beau Boughamer, Health Center News and Happenings

• CA: Health Center Growth and Health Reform – a powerful op-ed by Naomi Fuchs, CEO of Southwest Community Health Center
• Public Radio Spotlights CA, IN Health Centers
• CA, more CA, IA, MS, WI news
   

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Did you attend the FOM/IT Conference in Nevada last week? If so, what was one important takeaway? Are you headed to the S/RPCA Conference in New Mexico this week? If so, what are you most looking forward to? Share your thoughts at www.facebook.com/nachc

@ErieFHC1701: RT @dwhughes Community Health Centers combating diabetes: http://bit.ly/1XK8hB #fqhc

“(Community Health Center) users in fact receive more disease screenings, better monitoring and treatment of chronic disease, and improved frequency and timing of well visits.” – Report on health centers from Avalere Health