In a February 2 letter to the Health Care Authority, WSHA thanked the agency for its work on a proposed project toolkit. WSHA expressed its appreciation that the toolkit defines and narrows the focus of projects for the nine Accountable Communities of Health (ACH). Each of the ACHs will be asked to submit specific proposals using the toolkit in the near future. These proposals will be funded using the additional $1.2 billion in federal funds approved under the state’s waiver.
All of the ACHs are being asked to focus on behavioral health integration and opioid use: two critical issues for Washington hospitals, patients and residents. In addition, the ACHs have the opportunity to work in other areas, including care coordination, transitions in care, diverting patients from high-cost care settings, maternal and child health, oral health, and chronic disease prevention. (Claudia Sanders)
