HCH2017 Conference Registration Still Open!

Join us in Washington, D.C., from June 21-24 for our 2017 National Health Care for the Homeless Conference & Policy Symposium! Registration is still open for this exciting event—including for Pre-Conference Institutes and half-day Learning Labs. Promising to be our largest Conference ever, HCH2017 will feature a keynote address from nationally renowned MacArthur “Genius” Fellow and health innovator Dr. Jeffrey Brenner. Additionally, attendees will have a chance to take part in site visits to So Others Might Eat, Covenant House DC, and Unity Health Care; make hill visits to help further our mission to end homelessness; and attend our rally for universal health care and housing on June 23! Register now.

Archived Spring Virtual Training Webinars Are Now Available!

If you missed our Spring Virtual Training, you can now view archived recordings of our nine sessions in homeless health care on topics ranging from colorectal cancer screenings to motivational interviewing—including four trauma workshops with experts from the American Institutes for Research and the School-Based Health Alliance. Thank you to everyone who participated in our first-ever Virtual Training: #HCHVirtual attracted nearly 1,000 registrants, surpassing our expectations, and participants claimed 254 credit hours of continuing medical education from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. View archived sessions.

Call for Nominations for Our Board of Directors: Submissions Due April 28

Please help us identify outstanding leaders who can help guide our vital work to support those working at the intersection of homelessness and health: nominate yourself or a colleague to join the National HCH Council’s Board of Directors. Our Board provides critical direction to our efforts to improve homeless health care and end homelessness. Board members serve two-year terms, and officers serve one-year terms; Board elections will take place at our Annual Meeting of the Governing Membership on June 21 at the Grand Hyatt Washington as we convene in Washington, D.C., for HCH2017. Learn more about the process and submit your nomination by April 28.

Issue Brief Spotlights Health Insurance Coverage in HCH

The Council has published a new brief examining “Insurance Coverage at Health Care for the Homeless Projects, 2013-2015.” Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act has allowed nearly 16 million people to gain coverage since 2014, and HCH projects have also seen increases in rates of insurance coverage. Tracking these changes between 2013 and 2015 and featuring state-by-state charts, this brief illustrates why coverage is essential for people experiencing homelessness. Key findings include the fact that HCH patients are nearly five times more likely to have gained insurance since 2013 if they live in a state that expanded Medicaid. View the brief.

New Post-Election Frequently Asked Questions and Policy Statement

The NHCHC has released an updated post-election Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on federal policy changes in health and housing and their implications for the HCH community. The document details the recent American Health Care Act, the status of Medicaid and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and what you can do to further the cause of health care justice. The FAQ coincides with our recent statement urging policymakers to enact legislation guided by principles which would increase access to quality health care for all Americans, regardless of income or housing status. Read the FAQ and statement.

Visit Your Elected Officials on Capitol Hill at HCH2017!

Attending our 2017 National HCH Conference? The Council invites you to visit the offices of Senators and Representatives while you are in Washington, D.C., to help further our mission to end homelessness. We will provide guidance and resources for these easy-to-make visits: no experience is required! Learn more and indicate your interest on our website, and we’ll get to work on scheduling your meeting. If you have already scheduled a visit, please let us know.

Policy Webinars to Detail Health Reform and HCH, Immigration and Health Centers

Don’t miss our two upcoming webinars on health policy proposals as they affect HCH and health center providers’ rights regarding immigration enforcement. Join us for our “Health Reform & the HCH Community” webinar from 1-2 p.m. ET on April 20 to learn how Congressional health reform proposals and administration guidance to states will impact Health Care for the Homeless—and how we as a community can remain informed and engaged in the struggle for health care justice. And from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on May 3, join our “Immigration Enforcement and Health Centers” webinar for critical information on provider rights, patient privacy, and best practices for responding to immigration authorities.

Upcoming Webinars Highlight Summer Solstice Celebrations, Ethics and Reproductive Health, and Inspiring Presentations

This month, the NHCHC is offering a host of exciting webinars. Registration is now open for:

• April 18, 3-4 p.m. ET: From Darkness to Light: Honoring Success and Resilience at the Summer Solstice: Learn how HCH organizations are recognizing people who have gained housing in Summer Solstice Celebrations (June 21)—and discover how to organize your own.

• April 25, 12-1 p.m. ET: Ethics Coffee Chat: Reproductive Health: Join a highly interactive clinicians’ discussion of ethical issues related to reproductive health—featuring case studies and a Q&A.

• April 27, 3-4 p.m. ET: Creating and Delivering Presentations that Inspire, Challenge, and Change the World! (with the Coldspring Center for Social & Health Innovation): Learn best practices for creating presentations that will engage and inspire listeners.