Welcome
Welcome to Bi-State Primary Care Association
Bi-State Primary Care Association (Bi-State) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, nonpartisan charitable organization. Community Health Centers (inclusive of Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, free clinics, private practices, and hospital-based primary care practices), Community Action Programs, Health Center Controlled Networks, and Area Health Education Centers are among those who partner with Bi-State to expand access to affordable, high quality health care. As a “voice” for the medically underserved, Bi-State works with federal, state, and regional policy makers, foundations, and payers to develop effective strategies, policies, and programs that are designed to sustain community-based, primary health care services.
Our Appreciation to the Sponsors of the 26th Annual Primary Care Conference:
Presenting Sponsor: Granite State Health Plan
Lead Sponsor: BMC HealtNet Plan
Champion Sponsor: Meridian Health Plan
Awards Presented to Outstanding Leaders at the 26th Annual Primary Care Conference
The Board of Directors of Bi-State Primary Care Association presented awards to eight individuals from Vermont and New Hampshire at the 26th Annual Primary Care Conference held on May 15 in Fairlee, VT.
From Vermont, The President’s Award was presented to Mark Larson, Commissioner, VT Department of Health Access; The Public Service Award was presented to Anya Rader Wallack, PhD, Chair of the VT Green Mountain Care Board, and The Outstanding Clinician Award was presented to Dr. John Matthew, Medical and Executive Director of The Health Center in Plainfield, VT. Read Full Release.
From New Hampshire, The President’s Award was presented to Kathleen Dunn, RN, MPH, Medicaid Director, NH Department of Health and Human Services; The Public Service Award, presented to Erle Pierce, President of Pierce Public Affairs, LLC; The Outstanding Clinician Award, presented to Drs. Sarah Zachos and Jeremy James; and The Community Service Award was presented to the Assistant Director of The Thompson School of Applied Science at UNH, Cynthia Giguere-Unrein.” Read Full Release.
Bi-State's Public Policy Director Receives National Recognition with “Emerging Leader" Award
WASHINGTON, DC – Bi-State Primary Care Association is pleased to announce that Vanessa Santarelli, Director of NH Public Policy, was selected by George Washington University’s Geiger Gibson 2012 Emerging Leader Nomination Review Committee to receive the 2012 Emerging Leader Award. The award was established by the Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health Policy to highlight the accomplishments of an exceptional young leader who has demonstrated professional achievement and leadership qualities while assisting the Primary Care Association and/or Community Health Center in its mission to expand access to culturally competent health care services to underserved populations. Ms. Santarelli, a resident of Bedford, is one of six nationally recognized at the Geiger Gibson Symposium on March 24 in Washington, DC. Read more...
Pictured Above: Vanessa Santarelli accepts the Emerging Leader Award from presenter Velma Hendershott, CEO, InterCare Community Health Network, Bangor, MI.
Left: Dr. H. Jack Geiger, founder of the Community Health Center movement in the United States (3rd from L), joins in celebrating Vanessa Santarelli's (2nd from R) recognition, with (L-R) Ann Peters, David Reynolds, Tess Stack Kuenning, and Kevin Kelley in Washington, DC.
On Capitol Hill, Bi-State Presents Awards to VT and NH Congressional Delegations
WASHINGTON, DC – March 23, 2012 - During the National Association of Community Health Centers’ 2012 Policy and Issues Forum in Washington, DC, representatives of Bi-State Primary Care Association and its Community Health Center members were able to personally meet, thank, and present awards to our Congressional Delegations, recognizing them for their strong support of Community Health Centers.
Senator Patrick Leahy, Rep. Peter Welch (pictured L), and Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont and Senator Kelly Ayotte 
(pictured top L), Rep. Frank Guinta, Rep. Charles Bass and Senator Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire all received high accolades and awards from Bi-State and the National Association of Community Health Centers for their commitment to assuring all residents, including our most vulnerable populations, has access to comprehensive primary health care services. Read more...
HRSA's Quality Improvement Grantee Spotlight Selects a Bi-State Vermont Member
This month the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Quality Improvement website highlights Vermont’s Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region (CHCRR) and describes their use of the patient center medical home (PCMH) model to improve health outcomes and coordinate care for patients. CHCRR uses a comprehensive health care team to help its patients avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and to prevent them from receiving fragmented care. This spotlight describes key components of CHCRR’s use of the PCMH model and explains how it has transformed their delivery of primary care to patients. In addition, this spotlight describes how CHCRR uses health information technology and patient data to enable their PCMH to coordinate and deliver high quality patient centered care to better serve their patient population.
Bi-State Members Testify, Then Host Reception
Montpelier, VT - On Feb. 9, the Nonprofit Day at the State House, Bi-State Primary Care Association was the first to testify in front of the House Health Care Committee chaired by Rep. Michael Fisher. Susan Barrett, VT Public Policy Director, distributed Bi-State’s VT Primary Care Sourcebook to the Committee members and introduced other speakers. Read more...
View VT Community Health Center Presentation
View/Download: VT Primary Care Sourcebook
Concord, NH -- The NH Legislative and Business Breakfast on Feb. 1 drew a capacity crowd of 225 legislators and business leaders to the Holiday Inn. This annual event, hosted by Bi-State Primary Care Association and NH's Community Health Centers, is an opportunity for legislators to learn about the health care "safety net" primary care providers available to their constituents statewide. Read more...