Policy

The Montana Primary Care Association works to educate and advocate on both state and federal policies that affect Community Health Centers (CHCs), Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs), and their patients.

MPCA monitors, analyzes, and works on legislative and regulatory policies that impact CHCs, UIOs and their patients. We advocate for policies that will increase access to health care including recipients of Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP, and those patients who are insured, uninsured or underinsured. We also advocate for policies that will support CHCs and UIOs in their role as the largest, proven primary health care system in the state.

MPCA’s policy engagement includes:

State and federal legislative proposals
State and federal regulatory environment and administrative rules
Media and public communications
Grassroots engagement
Policy resources development and distribution

State Policy

MPCA works closely with the Montana Legislature to educate legislators, track legislation, testify in front of committees, and lobby its position on a variety of health policy issues. MPCA’s policy priorities are set by the MPCA Board of Directors and its legislative sub-committee.

Areas of interest include:

Workforce
Access
Equity

In addition to these priorities, MPCA is also actively involved with those state boards and agencies responsible for various programs affecting CHCs, UIOs, and their patients. We work with the Department of Public Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor and Industry, and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance to promote the work of CHCs, UIOs and access for patients.

Federal Policy

On the federal level, MPCA works closely with the National Association of Community Health Centers. MPCA is committed to helping Montana’s congressional delegation stay informed and involved in the work CHCs and UIOs are doing in the state. Critical issues include funding, workforce development, Medicare/Medicaid regulations, and related issues such as 340B and health IT infrastructure.

For more information on MPCA’s policy and communications work, please contact Stacey Anderson.

Interested in learning more? The Health Center Advocacy Network works to support and advance the Health Center Movement and address the needs of the patients and communities served by health centers.

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