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Flint receives primary care Health Professional Shortage Area designation

For Immediate Release: September 8, 2016

LANSING, Mich. ­­­– Primary care services in Flint, Michigan will be strengthened through a federal Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designation that makes the area eligible for primary care workforce recruitment and retention programs.

“This designation helps ensure that Flint residents are able to receive the health care services they need by helping health care providers recruit primary care doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to continue practicing in underserved areas,” said Nick Lyon, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “With improved access to care, Flint residents will have more opportunities to see positive health outcomes today and in the future.”

The MDHHS requested a HPSA designation for Flint by submitting data demonstrating a shortage of primary medical care providers. After review by the Health Resources and Services Agency within the United State Department of Health and Human Services, portions of Flint received a Primary Care HPSA designation effective August 27, 2016.

Health facilities located within the designated area are able to utilize programs designed to improve access to primary care by recruiting and retaining providers in areas with HPSA designations. These initiatives include the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment and State Loan Repayment which pay off medical education debt for providers practicing in HPSA designated areas, as well as the International Medical Graduate Program which assists international medical graduates working in HPSA designated areas.

There are three types of HPSA designations: primary care, dental, and mental health.  In addition to the primary care HPSA, all of Flint is located within a mental health HPSA and portions are located within a dental health HPSA.  HRSA is the primary federal agency for enhancing access to health care for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable.

For more information about Michigan designated shortage areas, visit http://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71551_2945_47514---,00.html.

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