Oral

This workshop will examine the recent passage of Health Care Reform legislation and its affect on the health care safety net, including public hospitals and community health centers. Speakers will discuss how safety net institutions and the patient populations they serve will likely beimpacted by the new law. Topics will include: (a) Expansion of funding for community health centers by $11 billion (b) Incentives for expanding the primary care physician workforce. (c) Efforts to establish medical homes and community care networks to better coordinate care; (d) Movement away from indirect payment mechanisms for treating the indigent ; through disproportionate share hospital payments( DSH); (e) The use of such funds, including DSH dollars, to expand health care coverage.

Session Objectives: Describe recent federal policy changes that will impact different elements of the healthcare safety net. Assess the role of the healthcare safety net following the expansion of health insurance coverage.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)