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Since its inception in 1972, the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) has worked to build healthy communities by placing health care providers dedicated to working in underserved areas of every State, Territory, and Possession of the United States with limited access to care. In 2012, NHSC clinicians provided primary, oral, mental and behavioral health care to 10.4 million underserved people. The program is a tremendous success story, and has been since 1972. Unfortunately, the program is solely funded through a federal Trust Fund (not annual appropriations) that is set to expire on October 1, 2015. The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved is leading the effort to save the NHSC, and push for its expansion to all underserved in the future. Our plan is outlined below, but we need your help! Join ACU Today to ensure the survival of this important program.
Step One: Organizing
If we are going to save the NHSC, we first need to establish our grassroots operation. The most effective campaigns are started from the ground up, and with an organized and energized membership, we can unite around a specific strategy to not just stabilize the Corps, but to expand it to all communities in need. This will take working with the President and Members of Congress to develop a bipartisan path to success, and to then promote that path to everyone in a position to help. This advocacy effort will depend on many different factors, but we need to start laying this groundwork today. Already we have a growing number of Partner Organizations helping us develop our strategy to Save the NHSC!
Step Two: Educating
The National Health Service Corps is one of the most effective federal programs in all government, but few people have even heard about it. Before we can get key policy-makers to support NHSC funding beyond 2015, more people need to know about the program, understand its direct impact in underserved communities, and the current state of funding for the program. This effort will not happen overnight, and we need everyone to get involved. An organized ACU membership can act as advocates and educators around the nation, spreading the word about the NHSC, and the good work they do. We need to stand together, educate everyone we can, and bring the NHSC into the public’s consciousness. We’ve developed a NHSC Fact Sheet to start the education effort.
Step Three: Advocating
As we get closer and closer to October 1, 2015, the more uncertainty communities and clinicians will face regarding the NHSC. Already new clinicians in the Loan Repayment Program won’t be assured of any extensions being available beyond their two year agreement. The cliff is already impacting the ability to retain clinicians beyond their two year service requirement. We need to ensure that the cliff is addressed and NHSC funding is secured for the long-term as soon as possible. The Administration is already starting to develop its Budget Request for next year, and that will be the last proposal before the cliff takes effect. The NHSC cliff needs to be part of every budget discussion from here until it is resolved favorably … the health of our communities depend on it. Join ACU Today, because every community matters!
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