HHS Committee to Examine Provider Shortages and Underserved Areas

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius appointed 28 individuals to a new committee that will review and update the criteria used to define medically underserved areas and health professional shortage areas, according to a Health Resources and Services Administration news release.

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The creation of the committee was outlined in the Affordable Care Act. The panel includes 28 members from community health centers, rural health clinics, representatives of special populations with unique healthcare needs and technical experts, according to the report.

An area must have a Health Professional Shortage Area designation to be eligible to apply for the placement of National Health Service Corps providers, and the Medically Underserved Population designation is used as a basis for awarding grants to Community Health Centers which are located in underserved communities. There is also a bonus payment to physicians under Medicare for services provided in HPSAs.

Read the HRSA release on the provider shortage committee.

View the full list of appointees.

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