| Policy |
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Senate Action Threatening to Defund Planned Parenthood Looms
In recent weeks, Planned Parenthood has been the target of a large-scale, coordinated assault by those determined to destroy the long-trusted, largest provider of family planning and reproductive health services in the US. Thus far, opponents have released three heavily edited videos, including one this morning, distorting conversations about tissue donation in the context of stem cell research to make it appear that Planned Parenthood was engaged in the sale of fetal tissue. Now anti-family planning zealots in the Senate are using this latest, orchestrated controversy as pretext for Senate action against Planned Parenthood.
On July 22, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced legislation that would prohibit Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) or its affiliates from receiving federal funds, including through Medicaid or the Title X family planning program. The same day, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced a bill that would place a one-year moratorium on funding to PPFA or its affiliates. Since that time, Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mike Lee (R-UT) have both offered other provisions ranging from denying federal funding to any entity that provides abortions or provides funding to entities that provide abortions to denying funding to such entities if they are the target of an investigation by a federal agency.
NFPRHA urges you to see this new attack for what it is: any effort that seeks to defund Planned Parenthood affiliates in fact seeks to dismantle the Title X family planning program. There was an unparalleled response by the publicly funded family planning provider network and its supporters last month when the House Appropriations Committee proposed eliminating Title X. This is an equally serious and credible threat. Senate Majority Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has committed to bringing a bill to defund Planned Parenthood to the floor before the August recess, which is currently slated to begin August 10. It is widely expected that the vote will take place this week.
Stand with the millions who rely on Title X for their care – in every state and for all of its providers - and ACT NOW. Let your Senators and the White House know in the strongest possible terms that you oppose legislation that would prohibit Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funds. Senators must vote NO; and the White House must VETO any legislation that comes across the President’s desk that would defund Planned Parenthood.
This situation is rapidly evolving. NFPRHA will provide alert updates as the Senate takes action. For questions or more information, please contact any member of the NFPRHA policy team at 202-293-3114.
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Health Care Delivery
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Confidential & Covered: Legal & Policy Highlight
Question: “Under HIPAA, what are insurance providers required to do for patients with confidentiality concerns regarding their EOBs?”
For individuals who not only need confidential services but privacy throughout the payment process, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) does require they be allowed to request “confidential communications” from their insurance provider. This refers to requests that communications, such as Explanation of Benefits (EOBs), be sent to an alternative location or by alternate means.
Insurance providers are required to accommodate reasonable requests, but may require a statement of endangerment. This requirement is reflected in state Medicaid agency policies and insurance contracts, as well as notes of privacy practices issued to patients in compliance with HIPAA. Insurance providers may have a phone number or form for enrollees to use to access this protection.
To learn more, read "Confidentiality, Third-Party Billing, & The Health Insurance Claims Process: Implications for Title X." (PDF)
For more information, contact Julie Lewis at jlewis@nfprha.org or 202-293-3114 ext. 214.
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| Membership |
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Membership Call: Is PCSP Right for Your Organization?
Register for NFPRHA’s July membership call that will take place Wednesday, July 29, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET
Join NFPRHA to learn the basics of Patient-Centered Specialty Practice (PCSP). This webinar will provide an overview of the PCSP recognition process, including an introduction to the Standards, key aspects of the application process, and anticipated benefits. In addition, two NFPRHA members, Sandra Williams from MIC Women's Health Services and Linda Snyder with Adagio Health, will share highlights from their experience with PCSP and be available for Q&A.
PCSP is a quality-based recognition offered by the National Committee of Quality Assurance (NCQA). In order to achieve recognition, health centers must demonstrate high-quality, patient-centered, coordinated care by meeting a set of Standards and Guidelines. PCSP offers a framework to standardize policies, track and improve quality measures, and modernize practices.
To join, please RSVP by completing the online registration form. If you have any questions about registering, please contact Catherine Fish at cfish@nfprha.org or 202-293-3114 ext. 218.
Register Now for NFPRHA's Fall Meeting
Join NFPRHA October 5 - 6 in the mountains of Colorado for essential health care delivery trainings, workshops, policy updates, and peer-to-peer conversation to support the work of family planning health centers and systems. The meeting is FREE for NFPRHA members and travel assistance is available. Register now to join NFPRHA at the Omni Interlocken Hotel near beautiful Denver, Colorado!
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| Research/Training/Social Media Resources |
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Support the “Medicare & Medicaid’s 50th Anniversary” Thunderclap
We need your support and fast so we can achieve our goal of 100 supporters by July 30th! Please join HHS’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid this July 30th by supporting its “Medicare & Medicaid’s 50th Anniversary” Thunderclap.
It’s easy, all you have to do is visit the Thunderclap signup page and select one of the red buttons on the page to support CMS’ 50th anniversary via your Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr account.
By agreeing to support CMS with one of your social media channels, Thunderclap will post this one-time message to your account at 10:00 a.m. on July 30, 2015: “Happy 50th Anniversary to #Medicare & #Medicaid! Thanks for #KeepingUSHealthy! http://thndr.it/1IjlDnK ”
And don’t worry, it’s secure and covered by Thunderclap’s Federal Terms of Use!
If you have questions, please send them to mark.krawczyk@cms.hhs.gov.
Celebrate the 6th Annual Latina Week of Action for Reproductive Justice
This year, to celebrate the 6th Annual Latina Week of Action for Reproductive Justice, join the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health in taking action across the country to ensure that Latinas can build, plan, and care for their families. To join in as an organization, sign the Declaration of Solidarity, write an op-ed on how reproductive and economic justice for Latinas relates to your organization’s work, or join in on social media with the hashtag #WOA15.
Contact Stephanie Castro at scastro@latinainstitute.org to learn more ways to get involved and to share how you have gotten involved.
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National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association
1627 K St. NW, 12th Floor, Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202.293.3114 | Email: info@nfprha.org |
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