Weaving Safety Net Health Centers into State Health Care Reform Plans: Issues and Ideas for Policy Makers

This Web seminar helped state policy makers and others concerned with the health care safety net understand how Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) can fit into a state’s health care reform plans to meet access, quality, cost, and outcome goals. Health centers can provide a source of primary health care for the newly insured and continue to serve as an important part of the safety net for those who live in underserved rural and urban areas, and those who fall between the cracks and remain uninsured even when coverage is expanded. Health centers also face challenges and can be part of solutions in state efforts to develop systemic state improvements in areas such as workforce shortages, health information technology, cost containment, and eliminating disparities. This seminar identified and discussed some of the key areas where state attention to the role of health centers in health care reform could help support achievement of both states’ and health centers’ goals.   Speakers Ann Torregrossa, Director of Pennsylvania Governor's Office of Health Care Reform Catherine Hess, Managing Director of Coverage & Access, NASHP Joan Henneberry, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing Michelle Proser, Director of Research, National Association of Community Health Centers