|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Open enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace is here, and health centers across North Dakota and South Dakota are ready to assist individuals and families in finding
affordable coverage. Access to quality health insurance is more than just a personal choice; it’s an important health equity issue.
Health insurance plays a significant role in ensuring equal access to health care, particularly for individuals in rural and underserved communities, as well as for people with lower incomes or those managing chronic health conditions. In North Dakota and South Dakota, health insurance is especially important to reduce disparities in health outcomes and improve the well-being of
entire communities.
Health Equity: Health insurance addresses disparities by making health care affordable and accessible to more people, regardless of their socioeconomic status or background. Insurance coverage improves health outcomes by helping people get care sooner, which can reduce disparities in disease and mortality rates.
Stronger Community Health: When more people are insured, communities benefit. Higher insurance coverage rates lead to healthier populations and lower rates of communicable diseases, mental health issues, and preventable hospitalizations.
What can you do to help get individuals and families covered?
Educate your team to ensure they know about availability of affordable coverage through the Marketplace for their families, even if they have coverage for themselves through their employment.
Utilize CHAD’s social media toolkit to get out the word about open enrollment and how to connect to a Navigator or Certified Application Counselor.
Consider a direct outreach campaign to individuals who need health insurance – whether it be through a postcard, phone call, or patient portal message.
A sincere thank you to the health center staff, Navigators, and partner organizations across the Dakotas who are connecting individuals to health coverage and health care services!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CHAD Launches Online Scheduling Tool for Navigators
|
|
|
|
|
It’s easier than ever to get assistance from a health insurance navigator! On November 1, Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas launched a new online scheduling tool that allows individuals to book a virtual appointment with a Navigator online. Simply visit www.getcoveredsouthdakota.org and click “Schedule a Meeting” to find a time that works for you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health Centers in the
News
|
|
|
|
|
Diane Inch, MPA-C, from Horizon Health in Fort Thompson was recognized as the 2024 South Dakota Cancer Coalition Champion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North Dakotans Defeat Measure 4
|
|
|
|
|
North Dakota voters defeated Measure 4 in the general election on November 5. Measure 4 would have prohibited political subdivisions from levying any tax on the assessed
value of real or personal property.
CHAD was a member of the Keep It Local coalition opposing Measure 4 due to the uncertainty of how the $1.5 billion per year shortfall from eliminating property taxes would be replaced. There was concern about a potential negative impact on health-related priorities. We anticipate seeing property tax relief bills in the upcoming legislative session that begins in January, and we
will watch for any potential impacts to health centers and the patients they serve.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
South Dakota Amendment F Results
|
|
|
In South Dakota, voters cast their ballots in support of imposing work requirements on Medicaid Expansion enrollees. CHAD and a coalition of partners** opposed this constitutional amendment because of concerns that work requirements would add additional government red tape, preventing people from getting needed health care coverage.
What happens next will be decided by South Dakota’s elected officials and the South Dakota Department of Social Services, which would need to submit a state plan amendment in order to impose work rules. Any change would have to be approved by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Under the Biden Harris Administration, CMS has not approved states’ requests to impose work requirements, but the previous Trump administration did approve such waivers.
CHAD is committed to ensuring people across North and South Dakota have access to health coverage and health care. In South Dakota, the Get Covered Coalition will work to reduce enrollment barriers in the state. To join our effort, click here to sign up for a workgroup and get involved. If you have any questions, contact Liz Schenkel, South Dakota Policy and Partnerships Manager.
You can view all South Dakota election results here.
**No on F efforts were led by the following organizations: AARP South Dakota, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Avera Health, Bread for the World, CHAD, Dakota Rural Action, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, South Dakota Education Association, South Dakota Farmers Union, South Dakota Voices for Peace and Susan G. Komen, had
worked collaboratively to oppose Amendment F.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and CHAD invites members and partners to raise awareness and recognize diabetes this November. This year’s theme, "Take Charge of Tomorrow: Preventing Diabetes Health Problems," emphasizes that the decisions we make today can lead to a healthier future. Early screening for diabetes is crucial—it can help identify those at risk before serious health issues arise. This campaign, from November 1 to November 30, aims to increase awareness and understanding of diabetes in our
communities.
In North
Dakota, 9.8% of adults live with diabetes, and 32.2% are prediabetic. South Dakota shows a rate of 9.1% of adults living with diabetes and 34% of adults living with prediabetes.
The rising diabetes rates stem from several risk factors: increasing obesity and tobacco use prevalence, food insecurity, economic instability, and geographic barriers to quality health care. The prevalence of diabetes and its related mortality rates affect non-White individuals at a higher rate. As a result, primary care providers and other health care professionals should strive to improve
their communication skills to better connect with patients from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds. This article highlights the health disparities faced by patients with diabetes and offers primary care providers a framework to enhance diabetes treatment through cultural competency and humility.
Health centers play a vital role in preventing and treating diabetes in local communities. This includes addressing social drivers of health, and providing diabetes education, resources, and self-management tools for patients to achieve better outcomes and healthier living.
Let’s come together this November to raise awareness, advocate for change, and make a meaningful impact in our communities!
Additional Resources:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Webinar - Empowering Diabetes Prevention
|
|
|
|
|
Join us for an engaging webinar focused on the critical importance of prediabetes awareness and management. This session will equip health care professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to identify, track, and support patients at risk for diabetes. Through a combination of evidence-based strategies and practical tools, participants will learn how to implement prediabetes screening
and management effectively within their practices.
Tuesday, December 17
1:00 pm CT / 12:00 pm MT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Community Grant Opportunities
|
|
|
Building Healthier Rural Community (BUILD) Grants
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation and the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota, School of Medicine and Health Sciences is excited to announce a grant opportunity opening Nov. 1, 2024, through Nov. 15, 2024. This grant is specific to rural health care providers who partner with nonprofit organizations or others in their community for funding of projects to help the building of a healthier rural community in 2025.
|
|
|
|
|
HRSA Community Based Grant Programs
Contact Nick Zucconi (nzucconi@hrsa.gov) or Darci Granda (dgranda@hrsa.gov) of the HRSA Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs-Denver Regional Office for questions and information about each grant program, including:
- Purpose;
- Amount of funding and duration of the grant program;
- Core elements and key requirements to address in the grant application; and
- Approximate dates that future notices of funding opportunity will be released.
|
|
|
|
|
Opioid Settlement Fund Community Grant Program
Applications are being accepted for South Dakota-based organizations working to abate and alleviate the impacts of the opioid crisis in South Dakota communities. Funding for the Community Grant Program is made possible from the National Opioid Settlement involving a number of pharmaceutical companies.
Application deadline is January 10, 2025 by 5:00 pm CT. The contract start date for resulting awards will be June 1, 2025.
Find out more information here.
Allowable activities must align with the Approved Uses for the Settlement Funds.
|
|
|
|
|
Resource: New RSV and Flu Vaccine Toolkit Available from NCUIH
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is excited to announce the release of its RSV and Flu Vaccine Toolkit, specifically designed to reach American Indian and Alaska Native patients. The toolkit includes essential resources to help boost vaccine awareness and increase vaccination rates, especially during Native American Heritage Month. The toolkit features social media graphics and customizable posts, posters to download and print, and messaging templates for use in newsletters or flyers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jenn Sobolik Receives the Joanne Ruiz Achievement Award for Excellence in HIV Nursing Practice
|
|
|
|
|
 The Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) has selected Jennifer A Sobolik, MSN, CNP, FNP-C, AACRN, AAHIVS, from Complete Health as the 2024 recipient of the Joanne
Ruiz Achievement Award for Excellence in HIV Nursing Practice. She was nominated by Pat Daoust from Massachusetts General Hospital, Justin Alves from Boston Medical Center, Carole Treston from ANAC, Sheila Tumilty from ANAC, and three nurses from Complete Health (Jess, Erika, and Sami). This award is named in honor of Joanne Ruiz (1949-1991), one of the first nurses in the United States to become infected with HIV through occupational exposure. Despite this, she continued as an HIV/AIDS nurse and was admired by her colleagues for her compassionate care and non-judgmental respect for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. This award recognizes an outstanding nurse clinician who is a source of pride to self, peers, patients/clients and colleagues. He or she brings knowledge, skill and caring to people with HIV infection and their loved ones. Essentially, the award recognizes the nurse you would most like to care for your loved ones. Jenn will be presented the Joanne Ruiz Award at the Annual ANAC Conference in Indianapolis in November.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GPHDN Networking Opportunities
|
|
|
|
|
The Great Plains Health Data Network (GPHDN) is
a collaboration between the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas (CHAD), the Wyoming Primary Care Association (WYPCA) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that harnesses the strength of the Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCN) program to support the technical capacity of some of the most remote and under-resourced health centers in the country. The mission of the GPHDN is to support its members through collaboration and shared resources, expertise, and data to improve clinical, financial, and operational performance.
GPHDN offers training and technical assistance to community health centers throughout ND, SD, and WY through monthly meetings, webinars, and networking opportunities with peer health center members. GPHDN has implemented multiple technology systems throughout the network including Azara DRVS, HIPAAOne, and TytoCare. Some of the technical assistance provide by GPHDN staff include:
Topics and resources covered in the peer networking groups include:
Quarterly Virtual Care User Group discusses how health centers can increase patient engagement in their health care by utilizing the patient portal, telehealth, remote patient monitoring, etc.;
Meet the GPHDN Leads
Billie Jo Nelson leads all of the Azara DRVS related training and technical assistance. Heather Tienter-Musacchia leads all the work related to data visualization and report development outside of Azara DRVS and provides overall GPHDN support. Becky Wahl manages and leads the GPHDN. GPHDN works closely with all CHAD networking teams. For full staff bios please click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registration is Open for GPHDN Summit & Strategic Planning
|
|
|
|
|
Registration is closing soon for the Great Plains Health Data Network Summit & Strategic Planning Conference! Join us as we build a vision for the future of health care delivery in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Over the course of the two-day event, attendees will work together in a collaborative, fast-paced, and energizing environment to create a long-term vision for the network. The result will be a new three-year strategic plan.
November 19-21, 2024
Holiday Inn Downtown Convention Center, Rapid City, SD
Click here for event details and registration.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leading the Way: AMA MAP™ Hypertension for Networks
This session will provide an in-depth orientation to the AMA MAP™ Hypertension (HTN) program, specifically tailored for PCA and HCCN networks. The session will present the case for prioritizing BP control for your patient population, unpack the AMA MAP™ framework, the AMA MAP™ Program, strategies and action steps, and showcase the results that have been accomplished to date. Special attention will be given to how networks can leverage their unique position to help their health center members achieve BP control rate improvements for their patients. The session
will illuminate Azara DRVS functionality that enhances data-driven decision-making and enables networks to prioritize, track, report, and support hypertension control efforts across their membership.
Thursday, November 7
1:00 pm CT / 12:00 pm MT
Activating and Enabling the AMA MAP™ Hypertension Program Across Your Health Center Membership
This session will dive into best practices for activating and enabling the AMA MAP™ Hypertension program across network membership using an implementation science approach. Participants will explore network infrastructure options and considerations that may optimize AMA MAP™ HTN metrics and content dissemination. Attendees will explore Azara DRVS functionality that can be used to identify health center members in need of support. The session will cover strategies for AMA MAP™ Hypertension metrics, reports, and materials distribution, ensuring that health
centers have the resources needed to achieve sustainable, scalable improvement in BP control.
Thursday, November 14
1:00 pm CT / 12:00 pm MT
Creating a Data-Driven Medical Home: PCMH & DRVS
Learn how to set up and sustain a meaningful patient-centered medical home program at your practice utilizing tools across Azara products. During this webinar, we will review how Azara’s NCQA pre-validation status can be leveraged for auto-credits during initial recognition, and how the many PCMH-focused reports and features can be used to evaluate and promote an on-going patient-centered, compassionate, and coordinated culture of care at your practice.
Tuesday, November 19
12:00 pm CT / 11:00 am MT
Driving Sustainable Improvement in Health Center BP Control Rates
This session will provide practical guidance and real-world use cases highlighting AMA MAP™ Hypertension program activation across network membership. Attendees will explore the tools and resources available for network leaders to support health center members to effectively manage populations with hypertension. The session will demonstrate how Azara DRVS can be used to track progress and gain actionable insights into effective BP control strategies. By the end of this session, participants will have a toolkit of strategies and resources to support their
membership in achieving their BP control goals.
Thursday, November 21
1:00 pm CT / 12:00 pm MT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Protecting Native Communities: Best Practices for RSV and Flu Vaccination
Join the National Council of Urban Indian Health as it recognizes Native American Heritage Month with a presentation that supports equitable adult vaccination and aims to prevent severe illnesses arising in Urban Indian communities from RSV and influenza. This webinar focuses on providing RSV and flu information and assisting Urban Indian Organizations and other safety net providers in developing effective and culturally competent strategies for educating and promoting RSV and flu vaccination among their patients and the American Indian and Alaska Native
populations they serve.
Tuesday, November 12
1:00 pm CT / 12:00 pm MT
Comprehensive and Team-Based Care Learning Collaborative
This eight-session series will support health centers beginning or
restarting their move to high-performance, team-based comprehensive primary care.
The learning collaborative provides health center participants with quality improvement concepts and skills to systematically achieve a specific aim and identify areas for process improvement and role optimization. With coaching support and transformational strategies, health centers will develop highly trained clinical primary care teams and work to improve at least one UDS measure.
This learning collaborative is led by multiple experts, including Dr. Tom Bodenheimer (Founder, the Center for Excellence in Primary Care), Deborah Ward (Former Senior Quality Improvement Manager), and Kathleen Thies (Consultant). To learn more, download the syllabus here.
Wednesday, November 13
12:00 pm CT / 11:00 am MT
Register Here
Uniform Data System Training: Web-Based Trainings
These free web-based trainings are designed to provide assistance navigating and preparing the 2024 UDS report. This training is for people of all levels of prior UDS experience and covers all aspects of the UDS report.
Understanding the relationship between data elements and tables is crucial for effective reporting of a complete and accurate UDS submission. This interactive training is an excellent way for new staff to understand their UDS reporting effort role. It has been designed for attendees of all levels. All financial, clinical, and administrative staff are invited to learn updates, hone reporting skills, and share questions and experiences with their peers.
Tuesday, November 12
1:00 pm CT / 12:00 pm MT
Thursday, November 14
1:00 pm CT / 12:00 pm MT
Health Center Performance Improvement Toolkit
HRSA has developed a new toolkit to help health centers understand the focus areas and potential activities needed to achieve their performance improvement goals. Check out the toolkit ahead of time by visiting the Health Center Performance Improvement Toolkit webpage. Short on time? Just review pages 2-4 of the Self-Assessment Guide prior to the webinar. Join the upcoming webinar to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Medical Assistant Training Program
The Medical Assistant Training Program is a 12-month program that combines on-the-job training with the educational foundation and principles to prepare learners to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) test through the National Healthcareer Association.
In this webinar, the presenter provided an overview of each element of this training program including:
The webinar closed with an introduction to the resource hub and allowed time to ask questions about this program and learn how health centers can get involved.
Click here to view the recording and other resources.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CHAD Network Team and Workgroup Meetings
|
|
|
Tuesday, November 12 @ 2:00 pm CT/1:00 pm MT — Communications & Marketing Network Team
**Wednesday, November 13 @ 1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT — Advocacy Network Team Post Election Analysis and Legislative Session Preview
Thursday, November 14 @ 9:00 am CT/8:00 am MT – Emergency Preparedness Network Team
Thursday, November 14 @ 1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT – HR/Workforce Network Team
Monday, November 18 @ 1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT – Operational Excellence/Compliance Workgroup
Tuesday, November 26 @ 1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT – Outreach and Enrollment Monthly Call
Tuesday, November 26 @ 3:00 pm CT/2:00 pm MT – CFO and Finance Manager Roundtable
**The CHAD Advocacy Network Team invites anyone who is interested to join us for our next call on November 13 at 1:00 pm CT / 12:00 pm MT as we prepare for the 2025 legislative session in both
states.
CHAD staff and lobbyists will be sharing their post-election analysis for each state. Learn more about the policy priorities of CHAD in the 2025 Legislative and learn more about the 2025 Days at the Capitol. A representative from the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) will also provide a brief post-election update from a Federal policy perspective.
Email Kim
Kuhlmann, Liz Schenkel, or Shannon Bacon to be invited to the Zoom meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This account is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling
$1,423,637.00 with 0 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
|
|
|
|
|
