Federal Update
Below is a selection of recent health policy and regulatory news and information relevant to health centers and PCAs. For regular updates, subscribe to Capital Link’s blog, or access NACHC’s blogs and the HRSA’s health center webpage.
Health Center Funding Cliff Updates
October 1st was the deadline to continue mandatory funding for health centers and other critical programs such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), but the funding cliff has not been addressed by Congress as of yet. To learn more, updates on the latest developments are continuously being posted on NACHC’s blog.
New Tax Reform Framework Omits NMTC
September 27, 2017 – The Republican Tax Framework does not include the federal New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program, an invaluable tool for revitalization and job creation in low-income communities that has helped many health centers cost-effectively finance their capital projects. Read more on the NMTC Coalition’s blog.
Capital Fund Receives $1.1 Million Award from the CDFI Fund
September 19, 2017 – U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund announced the awardees of the FY2017 CDFI Program round. Capital Link’s lending affiliate Community Health Center Capital Fund is among the 265 CDFIs receiving a Financial Assistance (FA) award. The nearly $1.1 million award, one of the largest granted in this round, will enable Capital Fund to increase its lending for community health centers seeking to finance facilities and operational growth. If your health center needs additional funding for an upcoming expansion or renovation project, Capital Fund may be able to help. Learn more by emailing Brandon Boyle, Director of Loan Programs, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
HRSA Awards $200 Million to Health Centers for National Opioid Crisis Efforts
September 15, 2017 – Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded over $200 million to 1,178 health centers and 13 rural health organizations across the US to increase access to substance abuse and mental health services to boost efforts against the opioid epidemic. Read more here.
Hurricane Guidance for Healthcare Facilities
September 13, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has drafted guidance to help healthcare facilities with disaster planning and recovery for major hurricanes. Read more here. Capital Link, with support from HRSA, has developed resources specifically for health centers, highlighted in this issue here. Please note that the deadline for organizations seeking reimbursement for Hurricane Harvey expenses to submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is 5 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, October 31st. Learn more here.
HHS Announces FY17 Quality Improvement Awards
August 15, 2017 – HHS awarded nearly $105 million to 1,333 health centers in all U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia as an investment in quality improvement, building upon their 2016 achievements. These awards support continued improvement at health centers based on high levels of performance in one or more of five categories: Improving quality of care, increasing access to care, enhancing delivery of high value health care, addressing health disparities, and achieving Patient-Centered Medical Home recognition. Read more here.