MDH’s Health Economics Program (HEP) released a final report recommending the “broad availability and use of telehealth as a tool to deliver health care services” in Minnesota. The report is in response to the Legislature’s directive in 2021.

Yesterday, HRSA announced $240 million in awards to launch and expand mental health and substance use disorder services in more than 400 health centers nationwide.

MDH’s Health Care Homes program highlighted the work of People’s Center Clinics & Services (PCCS) in their latest newsletter.

The March of Dimes released a report citing that more than 150,000 babies were born to birthing people living in maternity care deserts.

CEO Report: Two new reports (here and here) from MN DHS highlight the “successes and lessons learned” from the unwinding of Medicaid eligibility during the pandemic. During the '“unwind,” nearly 1.5 million Minnesotans had their eligibility re-checked.

MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE: Antony Stately is a fourth-generation survivor of boarding schools.

These schools, which were engineered to strip Indigenous children of their culture, created decades of historical trauma that would manifest itself in alcohol and drug usage.

Now executive officer and president of Native American Community Clinic, Stately is trying to address that trauma by providing Indigenous medical treatments and showing patients that they are valued in a way that Western health care often does not.

After an uptick in measles cases in late July, health officials urge families to ensure they’re up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines. Since May, 36 cases of measles have been reported and unvaccinated children in the Twin Cities are experiencing the brunt of the outbreak.

Congratulations to the 14 Minnesota Health Centers that received HRSA Quality Recognition in at least one category. Based on 2023 UDS data, CHQR badges are awarded to those who made notable improvements in access, quality, equity, and health IT.

MNACHC CEO Report -

The Commonwealth Fund

study

HRSA released a video earlier this month providing an overview of the history and role of the Health Center Program. Click here to see the video, and we encourage you to share it with your Board members and staff.

In addition, HRSA has a lengthier document that provides a deeper dive into the Health Center Program from it’s inception as part the Civil Rights Movement, to today.

A study from the Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) found that between 2018 and 2023, the number of retail pharmacies declined by 3.9 percent in the US. The number of retail pharmacies located in rural communities declined 5.9 percent, versus a 3.4 percent decline in urban areas.

MNACHC CEO Report - New data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics estimates that the national uninsured rate increased to 8.2% in Q1 of 2024. This is up from 7.7% a year prior. Overall, 27 million people had no form of health insurance in March 2024, compared to 25 million at the same time in 2023.

MNACHC CEO report - The Commonwealth Fund released a new survey of health centers finding that staffing shortages are worsening at the same time that patient demand for care is increasing.

Community Health Centers serve a record 32.5 million people nationwide, or 1 in 10 Americans – a surge of nearly 1 million patients. The analysis, from the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) 1, underscores the growing demand for affordable primary care services at a time when over 100 million Americans struggle to access a primary care provider.

CEO Report - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a blood test to screen for colorectal cancer in certain individuals. The test - known as Shield- is already commercially available, but FDA approval will translate to insurance coverage. The test was approved for people aged 45 and older with an “average risk” of colon cancer. Specialists warned that the test is not an equivalent alternative to colonoscopies but a quick screening tool.

CEO Report - The Minnesota Department of Health's (MDH) latest data shows that the suicide rate fell from a historical high of 14.8 per 100,000 in 2022 to 14.1 per 100,000 in 2023. In terms of the number of deaths, the 815 Minnesotans died from suicide in 2023, down from the historically high number of 860 in 2022.

CEO report: Walgreens announced yesterday that the company is repositioning its store footprint, noting that about 25% of its stores are not contributing to the chain's long-term strategy.

The Minnesota Department of Health officially launched Minnesota’s statewide Office of American Indian Health (OAIH) at the Capitol on Wednesday. The office aims to improve the health and well-being of American Indian communities in Minnesota and to ensure Native communities are represented in all MDH public health activities.

Dr. Antony Stately, President and Executive Officer of the Native American Community Clinic (NACC) provided remarks at the event and was the “urban American Indian Health Director” representative.