PThC3 - Leveraging 1115 Waivers for Health Access: Innovations and Best Practices from and for CHCs

Session Description: Community Health Center (CHC) patients have long relied on the innovation of health centers to provide essential and comprehensive services to patients and communities. CHCs have a key opportunity to build on this legacy by capitalizing on the guidance from CMS on Section 1115 waivers, which can unlock new demonstration opportunities to provide innovative services that meet patients' various needs and expand services for beneficiaries. In addition, it provides the opportunity for partnership engagement, allowing health centers to partner with PCA’s to tailor to what is best for the targeted communities.

This Education Session will cover the basics of what a § 1115 waiver is and how states can utilize it to expand services for Medicaid beneficiaries and underserved communities. This discussion will also explore how these waivers can provide much-needed services to improve the social drivers of health in communities and improve patient outcomes by sharing how CHCs have successfully leveraged their state's § 1115 waivers. Additionally, this session will outline policy and advocacy strategies for PCAs and health centers as the new administration unfolds its policy priorities. NACHC will facilitate this conversation alongside at least 2 PCA’s and/or health centers, along with the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy’s Center for Children and Families (CCF).