History
The Mississippi Primary Health Care Association, Inc. (MPHCA) is a non-profit , 501(c)(6) membership organization representing the interests of 21 Community Health Center (CHC) members in their efforts to improve access to health care for the medically underserved and indigent populations of Mississippi.
Established in 1981, MPHCA provides a variety of training and technical assistance services to its members, including recruitment of health care professionals, education and training activities, and national and state-based advocacy.
MPHCA covers the costs of its operations through the receipt of federal grant funds, membership dues, and funds generated by the sale of services to members. MPHCA has four categories of membership – organizational (voting) and associate, business, and individual (non-voting).
MPHCA’s member CHCs are located in both rural and urban areas across the state. These CHCs provide complete preventive and primary health care services at 166 delivery sites including more than 120 primary care sites. Health services are also provided via school-based clinics and mobile units staffed by CHC clinicians and support staff.
CHCs are staffed by a team of board certified/eligible physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, social workers and other clinical and non-clinical professionals. CHCs provide a wide variety of services including medical, dental, pharmacy, optical, social services, behavioral health, x-ray and laboratory, tobacco cessation, health and wellness, and transportation.
CHCs have seen a significant increase in the number of patients seen from 150,000 in 1990 to approximately 315,000 in 2010. Each year, CHCs become the quality, “Medical Home of Choice” for more Mississippians in need. In 2010, Mississippi health center patients completed almost 1 million visits to their local CHC.
CHCs provide significant statewide benefits that go beyond patient care. Mississippi CHCs employ more than 1500 FTEs and generate approximately $197 million in economic impact for local communities. Researchers have found that rural health systems that include CHCs experience lower uninsured utilization of emergency room resources.
As an advocate for vulnerable populations seeking access to basic health services, MPHCA works with its member CHCs, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), the Mississippi State Department of Health, and a host of cooperative agencies and partners to ensure the continued growth of community-based programs, services and centers providing quality, affordable health care for Mississippi’s most vulnerable and medically indigent populations. (Revised 6-20-2012)