Call To Action - NACHC Steps Up, Advocates for LALs in Compromise Bill
The Democratic House proposed the Heroes Act, the Republican Senate answered with the Heals Act, and here we are. Today, NACHC’s Advocacy Center called on their large network of subscribers to contact their representatives in the Senate and Congress, to request they work together in drafting a compromise bill to:
Include Look-Alikes in those able to access the $7.6 billion in emergency COVID relief funds marked for DHHS;
Request an extension of the PPP, allowing health centers with over 500 employees to be eligible for the program; and,
Request equal reimbursement for health centers’ for Medicare telehealth visits.
NACHC has published an easy to use template email and form for submission of these requests to your representatives. Click the link below and forward to your staff, your community members, anyone and everyone who can lend their voice.
BUT DON’T STOP HERE. CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES.
LET THEM HEAR YOUR VOICE!
If you are able to make a connection with your representatives, consider the following advocacy email we used as a script to communicate the uniqueness of Look-Alikes:
The CARES and CPRSAA Acts were kind enough to push $1.9 billion to community health centers (CHCs). But only to CHCs who fall under the Public Health Service (PHS) Act. “Look Alikes” fall under the Social Security Act. Look-Alikes were created in 1990 as a way to expand the CHC program without congressional funding. However, Look-Alikes must adhere to all the same requirements that CHCs under the PHS do, without grant funding. Prior to COVID, they were on a shoestring budget. Now, they face closing their doors when people need them most. There are 85 Look-Alikes in the US who serve just over 1 million lives.
The Heroes Act proposed an additional $7.6 billion in funds for CHCs, but again, Look-Alikes were not included. Will you support an amendment to include them in a compromise bill? They are in desperate need of funding for PPE, testing supplies, and funds for a continuation of services through this harsh pandemic. CHCs are mentioned on page 66 of the draft Heroes Act legislation, under the DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. This can be done by adding "Section 1905(l)(2)(B)" for Look-Alikes, beside mention of 1861(aa)(4)(B), which applies to Rural Health Centers.
I know you support the community health center program. This is just a strange situation where there are 85 of them who fall under Social Security, not Public Health Services, and most of our representatives don't understand this. Feel free to call or email me to speak more about this. It would be wonderful if we could get a group of representatives to bring this up. CHCs have been bipartisan supported since their inception and they are the safety net for individuals losing their employer-based insurance, as well as those transferring to Public Insurances during this pandemic.
