Public Statement 12/10/24
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Equitas Health joined the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) on Capitol Hill from December 3-4 for their national fly-in event. Equitas Health joined a delegation of nearly 300 community health center leaders, who traveled from across the country to meet with policymakers from both sides of the aisle. They reminded federal lawmakers about the essential role that community health centers play as the primary comprehensive healthcare provider for 1 in 10 people across America.
In discussing the importance of community health centers, Kyu Rhee, MD, MPP, (he/him) President and Chief Executive Officer of NACHC said, “Health centers have long been recognized for their vital role in improving health outcomes and reducing costs across the health system. We are grateful for the ongoing bipartisan and bicameral support from leaders in Congress who understand the profound impact and cost savings of our work…Our mission extends beyond the walls of the exam room and addresses the social and environmental drivers of health.”
During their time on the Hill, Equitas Health advocates discussed a number of key policy issues, related to access to care. Specifically, they spoke to members of Congress about the following:
Regarding the urgent need to renew telehealth flexibilities, Rhea Debussy, PhD, (she/her) Director of External Affairs at Equitas Health said, “Pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities are set to fully expire at the end of 2024. If Congress does not act, millions of Americans will lose access to vital telehealth services in primary care, behavioral health, and other healthcare settings. Telehealth remains wildly popular with the American public, and we need immediate, bipartisan action from Congress.”
In responding to the need for PBM reforms, Nick Saltsman, PharmD, RPh, AAHIVP, (he/him) Chief Pharmacy Officer at Equitas Health said, “The rapid rate of pharmacy closures across the nation has not only left communities without access to medications, this has also cut off access to these community’s most accessible healthcare professional – their pharmacist. We have seen this trend in both urban and rural communities. Without PBM reform, pharmacies across the country will no longer be able to provide life-saving services due to inadequate reimbursement by pharmacy benefit managers.”
In addition to these issues, federal funding for community health centers and critical healthcare workforce programs will also run out by the end of the year. Advocates from Equitas Health, NACHC, and other community health centers urged members of Congress to prioritize funding increases for community health centers, support for the primary care workforce pipeline programs, and bipartisan legislation to protect the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which supports broader initiatives at community health centers.
Public Statement 12/10/24
Public Statement 9/21/24
Our focus remains on integrating our programs to better serve historically neglected communities, always with an understanding of the unique and intersectional needs of the diverse LGBTQ+ population.
Public Statement 8/26/24
Johnson & Johnson, one of the world’s largest drugmakers, announced last Friday that it will discontinue upfront 340B pricing on two medications for disproportionate share hospital (DSH) covered entities. The move is part of a sustained campaign by large drug manufacturers to undermine the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program for participating hospitals and covered entities such as Equitas Health.
Public Statement 8/14/24
Blog 3/29/24
Equitas Health is pleased to announce that a collective bargaining agreement has been reached with Equitas Health Workers United Local #6609. Members of the bargaining unit voted this week, and the result was resounding support for ratification of the agreement.
Blog 2/26/24
Public Statement 12/10/24
Blog 11/21/24
Blog 11/7/24
