Senior officials from the Biden-Harris Administration recently convened a roundtable discussion with health care providers, professional societies, philanthropies, and financial institutions to explore how safety-net health organizations can leverage the opportunities presented by the Inflation Reduction Act. The officials emphasized the importance of supporting these organizations in advancing health equity, increasing access to affordable health care, and protecting the well-being of Americans. As part of this effort, the Department of Health and Human Services announced a program led by the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity to assist safety-net health care organizations in utilizing tax credits and grant programs created by the Inflation Reduction Act. The program will include national webinars and breakout sessions to help organizations assess their needs and assets. Additionally, the Biden-Harris Administration revealed plans to construct clean resilient microgrids on 1,000 Community Health Centers, with a particular focus on Justice40 and low-income communities. Other initiatives include resources to help healthcare organizations understand potential savings from sustainability investments, funding for community grants, and the construction of a net-zero medical school in North Carolina.
This roundtable discussion and the subsequent announcements highlight the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to supporting safety-net health organizations through the Inflation Reduction Act, with a specific focus on health equity, access to healthcare, resilience, sustainability, and energy efficiency. [b1a7ad19]
The Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to support safety-net health organizations align with the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides various grant programs, tax incentives, and loans dedicated to Tribal entities. The Act also offers additional opportunities for which Tribes are eligible. To further assist Tribes, federal agency staff provide briefings and webinars on the funding available through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the American Rescue Plan Act. The guidebook, titled 'Guide to Rural and Tribal Capacity-Building Programs,' provides comprehensive details on these programs and opportunities. [b014c3f2]
Rural hospitals in New Mexico are optimistic about the funding infusion promised under the state's new Health Care Delivery and Access Act. The act establishes a program to pool contributions from most hospitals and leverage them for a federal Medicaid match. The program aims to benefit all contributors, especially rural hospitals, and could provide as much as $1.6 billion in funding. The funds will be used for various purposes, including updating infrastructure, hiring new staff, giving raises, and replacing equipment. The program is expected to be set up as early as next spring. The legislation has received widespread support from hospitals, lawmakers, and advocates, who see it as a lifeline for health care organizations, particularly in rural areas. About two-thirds of all New Mexico hospitals lost money in their last 12-month budget cycle. The program skews in favor of rural hospitals, offering them a 50% reduction in the amount they pay up front. Hospitals are not allowed to pass the assessments onto patients or insurers and must demonstrate that at least 75% of the program's net proceeds are spent within the state. The program is modeled after similar programs in other states and is expected to be a landmark event that could change the landscape of health care in New Mexico. [24b576d3]
Investments in hospital infrastructure in the US South have been found to reduce mortality rates and narrow the racial inequality gap in infant mortality, according to a study published by CEPR. The study focused on a large-scale hospital modernization program supported by the Duke Endowment in North Carolina during the first half of the 20th century. The program increased the number of not-for-profit hospitals and beds, improved healthcare capacity, and advanced medical knowledge. The study found that the investments led to a 7.5% reduction in the infant mortality rate, with the gains being three times larger for Black infants compared to White infants. The investments also had long-term mortality benefits and were cost-effective. The study concluded that investments in healthcare infrastructure can lead to permanent improvements in healthcare supply and quality, disproportionately benefit historically marginalized groups, and complement medical innovation. [054b56b9]
OSHA has proposed a heat safety standard to protect approximately 36 million workers from heat-related illnesses and fatalities. The success of the standard depends on substantial infrastructure investment, including workforce development, employer and industry resources, regulatory capacity, healthcare access, and community support. Challenges to implementation include regulatory delays, insufficient funding, financial constraints for small businesses, diverse settings, rural infrastructure limitations, and lack of awareness. The article outlines key areas for infrastructure development, including workforce training, access to infrastructure, personal protective equipment, health insurance, awareness programs, and support for migrant workers. Employers and industries must invest in infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and technological innovations. Regulatory agencies need increased resources, staffing, and technical expertise. A robust healthcare infrastructure is vital, including access to healthcare, telemedicine, emergency response systems, and healthcare worker training. Community and advocacy groups play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between policy and practice. The federal government must provide funding, financial incentives, capacity building, public-private partnerships, interagency coordination, and overcome bureaucratic inertia. Investing in heat safety infrastructure offers benefits such as saving lives, improving worker health and safety, economic benefits, and climate resilience. The federal government plays a critical role in facilitating investments and must prioritize funding, facilitate collaboration, enact supportive legislation, provide oversight, proactive adoption, infrastructure investment, training programs, and best practices. The article concludes with a call to action guide for policymakers, workers and advocacy groups, researchers and academic institutions. [66b63133]