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The Primary Care Office A significant share of the funding for Health Systems Planning is provided by the Health Services Resources Administration (HRSA) of the federal government. The Department of Human Services and HRSA have entered into a cooperative agreement to help improve primary care access for low income Oregonians. HRSA is interested in and concerned about access to health care for uninsured Oregonians and for those who are on Medicaid or are enrolled in the Medicare program. The State of Oregon and HRSA share this common interest. Specifically HRSA expects Oregon, through the Primary Care Office (PCO), to help determine where shortages of health professionals exist in the state as well as where under-served populations and areas of the state exist. HRSA takes data provided by the PCO and designates Health Professional Shortage Areas, Medically Underserved Areas, Medically Underserved Populations, and Mental Health and Dental Professional Shortage Areas. Certain designations enable communities to apply for funds to start or expand clinics and services or to apply for National Health Service Corps practitioner placements. Some designations allow physicians and/or nurse practitioners to form Rural Health Centers and to receive additional payments. HRSA expects Oregon to assist with the placement of National Health Service Corps practitioners in addition to the PCO designation role and to leverage resources wherever possible to improve access to services, improve quality of services, and reduce disparities wherever possible. The PCO has a close partnership with the Oregon Primary Care Association (OPCA). It is also funded through a cooperative agreement with HRSA. OPCA receives funds to provide support, technical assistance, and health center expansion activities in Oregon. Both the PCO and OPCA are committed through the Cooperative Agreement to strive for 100% access and zero disparities in health care for racial and ethnic groups and vulnerable populations and collaborate on many activities. The PCO and OPCA are part of a national network that encompasses all states and territories of the United States. Most states have counterparts to PCOs and PCAs. While the PCO provides only a portion of the activities provided by Health Systems Planning it represents a core function of Health Systems Planning. It represents a partnership between state and federal governments to improve access and quality through the work of community health centers and other safety net providers. For more information please contact: Joel Young Manager Health Systems Planning 971-673-1269 E-mail:Joel.Young@state.or.us Department of Human Services 800 NE Oregon Street, 9th Floor Portland, Oregon 97232 |
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