Progress on Health Reform to Benefit Community Health Centers

According to the Community Health Centers of Arkansas, Inc. (CHCA), the Arkansas Primary Care Association, the unanimously adopted Amendment F9 included into the Senate Finance Health Care Bill yesterday, would greatly benefit Community Health Centers in Arkansas and across the US. This amendment contained the Medicare Access to Community Health Centers (MATCH) Act, which would remove the current cap on Health Center Medicare reimbursement, and provide for appropriate and predictable Medicare payments to Community Health Centers (CHCs) in the future.

The amendment was introduced by Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR). “These amendments will assure that our most vulnerable seniors and all underserved Arkansans have full access to quality and comprehensive health care services provided through Community Health Centers”, says Senator Blanche Lincoln.

The Senate Finance Committee also passed a second crucial amendment designed to strengthen Community Health Centers and expand access to care for CHC patients. This amendment, championed by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), would ensure that private insurance plans operating through the new "health insurance exchanges" provide enhanced reimbursement to CHCs similar to what Community Health Centers are reimbursed through Medicaid.

“Both amendments are a great victory for Community Health Centers. CHCs currently lose revenue when treating Medicare patients. The removal of the Medicare cap will ensure that CHCs receive appropriate reimbursement for treating Medicare patients and also ensure that CHCs receive adequate compensation for the comprehensive care they provide to all patients,” says Sip Mouden, CEO, Community Health Centers of Arkansas. “We are so excited that Arkansas’ own Senator Blanche Lincoln is such as tremendous leader and advocate for CHCs and the patients they serve.”

Community Health Centers in Arkansas are located in underserved areas and serve the most vulnerable of populations. Community Health Centers provide comprehensive continuous primary medical, dental, mental health and preventive care to nearly 18,000 Arkansans on Medicare, approximately 51,500 uninsured Arkansans and close to 29,000 Medicaid enrollees. CHCs also serve private pay patients.

“CHCA will continue to monitor this form of the Health Care Plan as it goes before the full Senate, to conference with the House, and eventually to the President’s desk. We still have challenges ahead,” says Mouden.