Health Policy & Legislation
Health Policy & Legislation
Safety-Net Clinics Depend on State Resources
Safety-net clinics, whether they are community sponsored or federally qualified, depend heavily on state resources. With the overwhelming number of bills up for review it is almost impossible to keep track of what’s going on without some kind of centralized tracking system. Clinic leadership can quickly become out of touch with what is happening politically.
Staying Aware of the Political Environment
For any organization it is important to be aware of the political environment. If clinic leadership is not consistently aware of what’s going on, they may miss opportunities to advance their organization. Moreover, they may not be able to react/adapt to a changing environment which may negatively impact their ability to serve the community.
Engaging with the Political Process
It is important for those on the front lines of helping the uninsured/ under insured to be actively involved in the political process; whether it is to voice a position, support a cause, or simply implement strategies to react to a changing political environment. The community sponsored clinics have an interest in following the politics of health care because their very existence is wrapped up in many of those decisions.
Tracking Legislation – Every Year
The Coalition of Community Health Clinics system of legislative tracking will become an important tool. Whether a clinic is looking for opportunities to influence change, or looking to plan strategically around changes that may affect them now or in the future the centralized tracking system is an important resource to have.