Increase the State Appropriation for Ongoing Operational Support for the Uninsured at Community Health Centers.

Over the past two years, the Unicameral has appropriated $875,000 per year to Nebraska community health centers specifically to support health care for the uninsured. With those funds, centers’ capacity to provide quality, affordable health care to the uninsured and underserved has increased considerably. While their capacity has increased, thousands of Nebraskans continue to go without basic primary and preventive health care because they lack the resources to pay for these services. With additional resources, the five community health centers in Nebraska can continue to build on the achievements they have made in expanding care. In anticipation of a new federally funded health center in Norfolk in mid-2007, we also request additional funds to assist that community in their efforts to provide care for the underserved and uninsured in northeast Nebraska.

We recommend the Unicameral appropriate an additional $850,000 per year

(for a total of $1,725,000 per year) to help community health centers provide primary

and preventive care to the uninsured and underserved.

Provide a one-time allocation to Community Health Centers to help fund capacity

infrastructure development.

While Nebraska health centers provide care to more than 36,000 Nebraskans, the need for quality, affordable primary and preventive care continues to grow. Each community health center has infrastructure development and capital construction needs unique to their specific setting which, if met, would significantly increase their capacity to serve more low-income patients. To assist health centers to meet these unique needs, one-time funds would allow for the following activities: to expand oral health capacity by equipping and expanding dental operatories; to increase radiological capability; and to improve information technology infrastructure. We request a one-time allocation of funds to support these expanded capacity opportunities. These funds will allow each individual health center to work in partnership with their community leaders to develop the most appropriate and cost-effective infrastructure and capital capacity to increase their ability to meet the needs of the underserved and uninsured.

Funding for this one-time allocation: $250,000 per center.

Establish a Statewide Safety Net Network.

Community Health Centers are one piece of a complex puzzle of health care organizations providing primary care services for the uninsured and underserved. Rural health clinics, free clinics, and regional public health departments are among the other providers who serve as a “safety net” for Nebraskans who would otherwise go without primary health care services.  While some partnerships already exist among these organizations, there is no formalized structure to support their collaboration to identify and address common needs such as increased access to pharmaceuticals, specialty care referrals and recruitment and retention of health professionals. By creating and funding a statewide network of safety net providers, these organizations will have the capacity to address common challenges to providing quality primary health care to those most in need.

We encourage the Unicameral to establish and fund a statewide network of

safety net providers.