Response from Michael Leavitt regarding 2006
NACHC recommendations (second letter)
On this page:
November 29, 2006
Mr. Wenceslao Vasquez
Chair
National Advisory Council on Migrant Health 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop 15-99 Rockville, Maryland 20857
Dear Mr. Vasquez:
Thank you for your letter forwarding the recent recommendations of the National Advisory Council on Migrant Health (NACMH). NACMH plays a vital role in assisting the Department to improve access to health care for seasonal farmworkers and their families.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recognizes that providing ancillary services is an important component in reaching special populations, in particular migrant and seasonal farmworkers. These services are all statutorily-required for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Therefore, consistent with NACMH's recommendations, all funding announcements released by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) contain language emphasizing the need for FQHCs to provide ancillary services. These funding announcements allow for grant applicants to use program funds for these services in addition to the required primary care services.
Over the past several years, HRSA has also been re-evaluating the appropriateness of the minimum threshold levels necessary to demonstrate the need for expanded capacity at Migrant Health Programs (MHPs). A reduction in the minimum level for special populations, including the MHP, was made in 2004. HRSA is in the process of determining whether a further reduction is needed in future years, and will take your recommendation into serious consideration.
Finally, we fully agree with NACHM that there is a need to identify models that work for the effective electronic transfer of medical records. Health information technology is essential for continuity of care and to ensure quality. The Department has identified health information technology as a top priority, and is examining strategies to expand the use of automated interoperable systems for this purpose. HRSA staff will work closely with representatives of MHPs to identify and disseminate best practices.
I appreciate the continued efforts of the members of NACHM in providing me with recommendations to address the needs of migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families. This response will also be provided to Mr. Robert H. Scott.
Sincerely,
/s
Michael O. Leavitt
Mr. Robert Scott
Vice-Chair
National Advisory Council on Migrant Health
5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop 15-99
Rockville, Maryland 20857
Dear Mr. Scott:
Thank you for your letter forwarding the recent recommendations of the National Advisory Council on Migrant Health (NACMH). NACMH plays a vital role in assisting the Department to improve access to health care for seasonal farmworkers and their families.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recognizes that providing ancillary services is an important component in reaching special populations, in particular migrant and seasonal farmworkers. These services are all statutorily-required for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Therefore, consistent with NACMH's recommendations, all funding announcements released by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) contain language emphasizing the need for FQHCs to provide ancillary services. These funding announcements allow for grant applicants to use program funds for these services in addition to the required primary care services.
Over the past several years, HRSA has also been re-evaluating the appropriateness of the minimum threshold levels necessary to demonstrate the need for expanded capacity at Migrant Health Programs (MHPs). A reduction in the minimum level for special populations, including the MHP, was made in 2004. HRSA is in the process of determining whether a further reduction is needed in future years, and will take your recommendation into serious consideration.
Finally, we fully agree with NACHM that there is a need to identify models that work for the effective electronic transfer of medical records. Health information technology is essential for continuity of care and to ensure quality. The Department has identified health information technology as a top priority, and is examining strategies to expand the use of automated interoperable systems for this purpose. HRSA staff will work closely with representatives of MHPs to identify and disseminate best practices.
I appreciate the continued efforts of the members of NACHM in providing me with recommendations to address the needs of migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families. I will also provide this response to Mr. Wenceslao Vasquez,
Chair of the Council.
Sincerely,
/s
Michael O. Leavitt
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