May 10, 2021

The RUPRI Center’s annual update on Medicare Advantage (MA) shows that both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan enrollment has continued to grow for more than 10 years. The percent of nonmetropolitan MA enrollees in Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans has increased every year since 2017 while metropolitan HMO enrollment has decreased every year since 2016.

Please click here to read the brief.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments in response to a Request for Information (RFI) titled “Methods and Leading Practices for Advancing Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through Government.” Comments are due no later than July 6, 2021, and can be submitted on the Federal Register’s website linked here.

From the Summary of the RFI:

Recent Executive Orders have charged the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in partnership with the heads of agencies, to identify, by July 2021, effective methods for assessing whether agency policies and actions (e.g., programs, services, processes, and operations) equitably serve all eligible individuals and communities, particularly those that are currently and historically underserved. As part of this effort, agencies are directed to consult with members of communities that have been historically underrepresented in the Federal Government and underserved by, or subject to discrimination in, Federal policies and programs, and to evaluate opportunities, as allowable, to increase coordination, communication, and engagement with community-based and civil rights organizations. Through this request for information (RFI), OMB seeks input, information, and recommendations from a broad array of stakeholders in the public, private, advocacy, not-for-profit, and philanthropic sectors, including State, local, Tribal, and territorial areas, on available methods, approaches, and tools that could assist in this effort. OMB will consider the usability, applicability, and rigor of submissions in response to this RFI as OMB gathers resources to support agencies as they conduct internal assessments on the state of equity in their policies, programs, services, processes, and operations. OMB will also use what it learns from responses to this RFI as OMB works to expand use of equity-assessment methods and approaches across the Federal Government, as agencies develop agency Equity Action Plans (due to the Domestic Policy Council by January 19, 2022) outlining steps they will take to address identified gaps in equity.

May 11, 2021

Application Deadline: May 28, 2021

Community Health Center, Inc. and the Weitzman Institute are transforming primary care delivery to medically underserved populations during the current pandemic, and developing sustainable longer-term models of care. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Middletown, Connecticut, CHC is one of the country’s leading health centers, providing medical, behavioral health and dental care to people who often experience difficulty accessing comprehensive health services. The Weitzman Institute, CHC’s research and innovation arm, offers national programs touching all 50 states.

The Transforming Primary Care Summer Fellowship is an on-line, short-term, highly focused opportunity to be on the frontline of primary care transformation. We seek to engage a small group of graduates from the Class of 2021 to work with health center leadership focused on re-imagining care for historically underserved people. Projects may include, but not be limited to, working with: CHC Operations; the Center for Key Populations, focused on LGBTQ health; Grants; Education; and the Weitzman Institute and its affiliates. Program staff will assign projects by taking fellows’ interests and skillset into consideration. Fellows will also have an opportunity to participate in national programs such as Weitzman ECHO. All work during this fellowship will be done remotely from the fellow’s current location, and fellows will be assigned a preceptor from within the leadership of CHC and the Weitzman Institute.

The fellowship is open to 2021 graduates of accredited 4-year colleges and graduate programs. Priority consideration will be given to those with academic concentrations in public health and health care administration and a commitment to working within underserved communities. We are seeking candidates with a strong record of leadership and teamwork and clear demonstration of excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Interviews via Zoom will be required and fellowships will begin as soon as a candidate is accepted and completes an on-line orientation. A weekly stipend of $300.00 will be provided. This will be a three-month, full-time, 40-hour per week fellowship, beginning on June 14^th. The schedule may be adjusted on a case-by-case basis.

Interested candidates should submit a personal statement (800-word limit), resume, unofficial transcript, and the names and contact information of three references to CHCFellowship@chc1.com. The personal statement should include a description of your goals for participation in the fellowship and how your experience and/or interests align with the mission, vision, and work of the Community Health Center. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only those receiving an interview will be contacted. Accepted candidates will be informed of the decision by June 5, 2021.

Please direct any questions to: CHCFellowship@chc1.com

For more information about CHC, the Weitzman Institute and related programs, please visit:

Community Health Center, Inc.:  www.chc1.com
Weitzman Institute: www.weitzmaninstitute.org
Center for Key Populations: www.centerforkeypopulations.com
National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement: www.NIMAA.org
ConferMED: www.confermed.com
CHC Radio: www.chcradio.com