Community Coalitions for Access and Quality Improvement Act (S. 652 & H.R. 1614)

This bill builds on the success of previous federal investments in 250 community health access
coalitions over the last decade and incorporates lessons learned from former Healthy Community
Access Program (HCAP) grantees. Under HCAP, grantees leveraged $6 for every federal dollar
invested and provided access to health care to an additional 6.2 million individuals while generating
$2 billion a year in savings for health care purchasers nationwide.

What the Bill Does:

Provides grants to community health access coalitions to implement best practices proven to reduce
health care costs, achieve better health outcomes and improve access to health care for uninsured and
low-income Americans. Specifically, it directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to:

Improve efficiency and coordination among providers
Assist local communities in developing programs targeted toward preventing and managing
chronic diseases
Expand and enhance services provided.

Best practice programs would help 600 communities nationwide utilize technology and joint
planning to:

Educate consumers about program eligibility and facilitate enrollment;
Reduce inappropriate Emergency Room use by coordinating referrals to specialty care and
mental health services;
Support the primary care provided by Community Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics
by organizing medical, mental health, and dental providers who care for the uninsured;
Maximize access to free and reduced-price prescription drugs;
Prevent the erosion of insurance coverage offered by small employers; and
Improve the health status of low-income consumers of health care.

What It Costs:

As listed in the bill:

AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—

$75,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
$100,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
$125,000,000 for fiscal year 2012;
$150,000,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
$175,000,000 for fiscal year 2014.

Supporting Documents:

House:	Senate:
HR 1614 House “Dear Colleague” Letter House CCAQI Legislative Summary	S. 652 Senate “Dear Colleague” Letter Senate CCAQI Legislative Summary

What You Can Do

Contact your Senators and ask them to sign on to S. 652 by contacting Paula Burg in Senator Murray’s office at (202) 224-2621.

Contact your Representatives and ask them to sign on to H.R.1614 by contacting Abigail Pinkele in Representative Gene Green’s office at Abigail.pinkele@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-1688 or Greg McIlvaine with Representative Wamp at g.mcilvaine@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-3271.

Educate them about the importance of CCAQI and ask them to make this a priority. Let them know why it is important in your community and to your coalition. When meeting with your Congressional delegation, we encourage you to bring a list of outcomes your coalition has achieved.

Ask your Senator/Representative to let you know their decision – yes OR no.

Keep the CCAQI Work Group informed by contacting Holly Greenwood (greenwoodh@crhn.org) so we can let Senator Murray and Representative Green know of our progress.

For additional information, please contact Holly Greenwood at greenwoodh@crhn.org or (360) 493-5566.