Health Center Partners of Southern California Secures $1.5 Million from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to Improve Patient Care through Use of Technology
Renewal of Health Center Controlled Networks Grant Supports Local Health Centers' Delivery of Quality Primary Care to Medically Underserved Communities
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Center Partners, a leading consortium of community health centers in San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties, today announced that it will receive $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to improve adoption of health information technology at member health centers. The renewal of funding enables Health Center Partners to continue its work of the past three years to strengthen member community health centers through health information technology implementation, as well as meaningful use, data quality and reporting, health information exchange, population health management and quality improvement. Participating health centers will leverage economies of scale, shared resources and infrastructure, and analytic expertise to improve patient care.
Health Center Partners is one of 50 Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs) in 41 states and Puerto Rico to receive funds which are designed to improve access to quality care, achieve cost efficiencies through the redesign of practices to integrate services, optimize patient outcomes and negotiate managed care contracts on behalf of participating health centers. Health Center Partners will receive $500,000 in HCCN funding annually for three years. This funding will support 12 participating community health centers across San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties.
"We're thrilled that Health Center Partners has once again been selected among the nation's leading Health Center Controlled Networks to receive this important funding from HHS that supports our efforts to ensure quality primary care for medically underserved communities," stated Nicole Howard, executive vice president for Health Quality Partners, a Health Center Partners subsidiary that is responsible for the implementation of the grant. "Grants such as this one enable Health Quality Partners to fulfill our mission every day, by offering community health centers and other safety net partners in Southern California access to resources and technical assistance in order to expand access to care and improve health outcomes, operational efficiencies and financial performance."
HCCNs, such as Health Center Partners, support health center participation in the Federal Health Information Technology Strategic Plan. This HHS funding enables participating health centers to continue to:
- Optimize certified electronic health record technology
- Enhance comprehensive, integrated data collection, analysis and reporting
- Meet the requirements of the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Records Incentive Programs
- Implement evidence-based practices to improve clinical and operational quality, reduce health disparities and improve population health outcomes
- Improve care coordination through increased utilization of San Diego's Health Information Exchange
- Utilize health information technology to advance Patient Centered Medical Home implementation efforts
"Health Center Controlled Networks are a key tool in providing quality primary care to medically underserved communities," said HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. "By using these networks, individual health centers can work together to share resources, leverage buying power, and improve access to health information technology, leading to a better care experience for vulnerable populations."
"With a proven track record of implementing highly effective programs and positively impacting community health care outcomes, Health Center Partners and Health Quality Partners are widely recognized as change agents and visionaries at the forefront of the shift to value-based care," noted Henry Tuttle, CEO of Health Center Partners. "We have demonstrated, time and again, our ability to meet and exceed the philanthropic objectives of a broad range of funders. The renewal of this important HCCN funding further illustrates our commitment to improving the lives of patients throughout Southern California."
About Health Quality Partners
Health Quality Partners of Southern California, a subsidiary of Health Center Partners of Southern California, supports community health centers and other safety net partners in taking the best possible care of their patients. Health Quality Partners accomplishes this through the development and implementation of a broad portfolio of innovative and collaborative grant-funded programs and research projects that focus on improving efficient and effective access to care, patient engagement, quality of care and clinical outcomes. Health Quality Partners believes that quality health care is a right, and collaboration and resources are essential to meeting this basic need. For more information, visit www.hqpsocal.org.
About Health Center Partners
Health Center Partners (formerly Council of Community Clinics) and its subsidiaries serve as the nexus for its members and partners to transform primary care through the power of innovation and collaboration. Our health policy, public affairs and advocacy efforts enhance the development of and recognition for our members who enrich the patient experience and improve the human condition through access to quality health care and related services for their diverse communities, with an emphasis on low-income and uninsured populations. For more information, visit www.hcpsocal.org.
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SOURCE Health Center Partners of Southern California
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