Information on how the national health care reform movement will affect free clinics.

1. Virginia Association of Free Clinics & Virginia Rural Health Association

2. Free Clinics & Health Care Reform How did free clinics fare in the Stimulus Package? The President’s proposed budget and health care. Congress and health care reform. Where do free clinics fit in the discussion?

4. NAFC encouraged members to send letters to their House and Senate representatives to change the language.

6. NAFC members did raise awareness of the free clinic community but no money was specifically set aside for free clinics.

8. Non-Profits Focus on: Public or not-for-profit hospitals or critical access hospitals; FQHCs; rural and other areas that serve medically underserved individuals; and Individual or small group practices focused on primary care

9. After year 2, a regional center may receive additional funding for positive results

10. 4 year limit on funding

14. President’s Proposed Budget and Health Care 3. Aim for Universality.The plan must put the United States on a clear path to cover all Americans. 4. Provide Portability of Coverage. People should not be locked into their job just to secure health coverage, and no American should be denied coverage because of preexisting conditions. 5. Guarantee Choice.The plan should provide Americans a choice of health plans and physicians. They should have the option of keeping their employer-based health plan. 6. Invest in Prevention and Wellness. The plan must invest in public health measures proven to reduce cost drivers in our system-such as sedentary lifestyles and smoking- as well as guarantee access to proven preventive treatments.

15. President’s Proposed Budget and Health Care 7. Improve Patient Safety and Quality Care.The plan must ensure the implementation of proven patient safety measures and provide incentives for changes in the delivery system to reduce unnecessary variability in patient care. It must support the widespread use of health information technology and the development of data on the effectiveness of medical interventions to improve the quality of care delivered. 8. Maintain Long-Term Fiscal Sustainability. The plan must pay for itself by reducing the level of cost growth, improving productivity, and dedicating additional sources of revenue

16. President’s Health Care Forum and Free Clinics In early March, the President brought together a Health Care Forum to discuss reforms. Free Clinics were not invited. NAFC started a letter writing campaign to the White House. The NAFC has not heard from the White House at all. If you have not written a letter please take time to do so. You can use the NAFC letter, or write you own and send it to the President by visiting http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

17. Congress and Health Care Reform The House of Representatives passed HR 3200 on Nov. 7th. There was no reference to free clinics in the bill. HR 3200 has no reference to expansion of FTCA, 340B pricing or inclusion of free clinics under the medical home provision in the bill NAFC members asked for the inclusion of free clinics in the bill, but it did not happen. The bill has been sent to the Senate for vote.

19. Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Health Education Labor and Pension Committee.

20. In the Finance Committee bill , free clinics would like to be included as a cost savings organization.

21. In the HELP legislation, the free clinics are requesting inclusion under the “Essential Provider “ title.

23. Funding for Health Information Technology implementation money for free clinics

25. The question being asked most commonly is what happens to our patients if this bill goes through?

26. We know the legislation will not fully go into effect until 2019

27. We know that in 2019 there will still be 25 million uninsured

28. We know that our patients consider our clinics medical homes

29. We also know that across the country our clinics are seeing a 20% decrease in funding, which many are saying is because of health care reform.