As the Senate Finance Committee begins consideration of its version of health care reform legislation (America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009), numerous critical amendments will be considered that are  designed to enhance the availability, affordability and effectiveness of the legislation, by expanding access to care in community health centers. NACHC has put its support firmly behind the following three amendments summarized below.

• Menedez #C3: The Amendment ensures that FQHC’s would be reimbursed via the prospective payment system (PPS) methodology by private insurers in the health insurance exhanges. PASSED!

• Bingaman #D6: This Amendment establishes a new PPS for Medicare services provided by FQHC’s thereby replacing the existing cap on Medicare payments to health centers. PASSED!

• Stabenow #C5: Requires insurance plans to contract with safety net providers for their plans offered in the health insurance exchanges to ensure the uninsured have access to community health centers and other safety net providers. PASSED!