Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 2d

Our 2026 Conference Call for Proposals is now open! You're invited to submit an abstract reflective of our theme, Riding the Wave of Transformation: All Hands on Deck, for workshops, roundtables, and more. Don't miss this chance to become part of #ACUConf.

➡️ Learn more: bit.ly/2026acucfp

Finger on the Pulse: The State of Primary Care in the U.S. and Nine Other Countries

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 2d

Compared to other high-income nations, the U.S. primary care system "trails its peers . . . Patients in the U.S. are among the least likely to have access," finds a new @commonwealthfund.org study. The need to invest in our primary care workforce and CHCs has never been more acute. bit.ly/46Uq47k

This brief compares the state of primary care in the United States with nine other high-income nations, to better understand how to improve patient care.

NEWS: Sanders, Merkley Introduce Legislation to Make Medical, Dental and Nursing Schools Tuition Free and Expand the Health Care Workforce » Senator Bernie Sanders

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 5d

ACU is pleased to endorse the Health Care Workforce Expansion Act, which would aim to help address America's healthcare workforce shortage by alleviating debt for clinicians in training, increasing investment in training programs, and expanding the THCGME program. Learn more: bit.ly/46wxhvi

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today introduced the Health C...

CHCs, Medicare Workforce Programs On Hold With Gov Shutdown; Medicaid DSH Cuts Go Into Effect | InsideHealthPolicy.com

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 6d

Programs like the National Health Service Corps "place clinicians in communities where the need is greatest. Restore funding and let clinicians do their jobs—a shutdown shouldn’t shut out patients.” ACU's CEO on how the shutdown is affecting the CHC workforce in Inside Health Policy: bit.ly/4mRjNiB

Hospitals and provider organizations say a government shutdown will make families sicker and are calling for Congress to immediately restore funding for Community Health Centers and Medicare workforce...

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 7d

With a federal shutdown now in effect, ACU urges Congress to immediately restore government funding and reauthorize core health workforce programs—including the National Health Service Corps—that safeguard care in the nation’s medically underserved communities. Read our statement: bit.ly/46x7qU3

'We Are Exhausted, Frustrated, and Sad': Docs Vent During Meeting With Senator

Reposted by Association of Clinicians for the Underserved

KFF @kff.org · 8d

How much more would the average ACA Marketplace enrollee pay in out-of-pocket premiums in 2026 without the enhanced premium tax credits?

114% on average, or *more than double* what they pay now.

Our new analysis explains why: https://on.kff.org/3WfWxjj

17 21

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 8d

Whether you're a new or experienced manager, you'll find information to sharpen your supervision in our Manager Training Series. And with only seven days left to register to join renowned trainer April Lewis and a virtual cohort of managers, now is the time to sign up! ☑️ Register now: bit.ly/4h3VJHK

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 8d

"Providers talk about burnout, but this issue of patients not trusting the advice [the doctor] gives them -- that wears you down . . . We really need to figure out strategies to get our healthcare workers the help they need."

Providers voiced concerns about erosion of trust between doctors and patients

www.medpagetoday.com

If Government Shuts Down, Federal Health Programs Would Feel the Pinch

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 9d

As this piece in MedPage Today examines, a shutdown would have massive implications for the Corps, health centers, and other health extender programs.

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 9d

"It's very hard in a health professions training program—to say to someone, 'Sign up for this loan repayment because we'll have your back' when the funding is so uncertain." Carole Johnson describes what a shutdown could mean for the National Health Service Corps in @medpagetoday.com: bit.ly/3IJxodM

Community health centers, CMS among those that might curtail operations, say experts

STAR² Center Talks Workforce Success – Episode 31 – CHCWorkforce

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 12d

Innovation is key in building the mental health workforce. Listen in to STAR² Center Talks Workforce Success as we talk with Adelante Healthcare's Susan Boyles on how to engage your staff and community to identify creative strategies to engage these professionals at CHCs.

🎙️Listen: bit.ly/46w1Wra

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 12d

This stress is further exacerbated by a continuing stigma toward clinicians seeking mental health support. In the midst of immense transition in healthcare, workforce well-being supports are not merely important, but indispensable.

Physician Stress Returns to Peak Pandemic Levels, Survey Shows

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 12d

"Nearly 6/10 physicians reported they have felt inappropriate feelings of anger, tearfulness, or anxiety during the last year," levels similar to those reported during the height of the pandemic, finds a new survey from The Physicians Foundation. Learn more in @medpagetoday.com: bit.ly/4mDOI1U

The healthcare landscape in the U.S. 'has been reshaped by significant changes'

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 13d

Our Manager Training Series kicks off soon! There's still time to sign up to join workforce thought leader April Lewis and a virtual cohort of supervisors from across the U.S. to learn how to manage high-functioning, mission-driven healthcare teams in our seminars. ☑️ Save your seat: bit.ly/4h3VJHK

Over Half of U.S. Healthcare Workers Plan to Look for New Jobs, Survey Says

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 14d

55% of healthcare workers will seek new positions in the next year, according to a survey in @medpagetoday.com. While the findings were new, the reasons were not: burnout, inadequate compensation, and lack of advancement were each heavily cited. Now, as ever, we must proactively support our staff.

Burnout as well as inadequate compensation and lack of career advancement were cited as reasons

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 14d

Explore comprehensive workforce planning in our STAR² Center's Workforce Professional Development Series. Starting Oct. 23, these webinars will introduce you to key strategies in compensation, well-being, and career development to support operations and retention.

☑️ Register now: bit.ly/4pFSA56

1 2

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 16d

Effective communication and conflict management are skills like any other, and must be invested in to better equip workforces to meet their goals. Join our STAR² Center for a webinar series on Oct. 7 & 21 on building communication and conflict management skills. ☑️ Register now: bit.ly/4mxBN1g

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 21d

Thanks to all who joined our Leadership Lab! Today's office hours explored how healthcare managers can lead with curiosity. One key takeaway? Incorporating "curiosity rounds" to check in with staff can build engagement and trust. Missed today's Lab? Join our next session on Sept. 24: bit.ly/4n8tiup

Community Health Centers: Providing Care in the Most Disadvantaged Communities | Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health | Milken Institute School of Public Health | The George Washington University

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 21d

Today we honor National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. Physicians and other healthcare workers are significantly more likely to end their lives by suicide than the general population. We can change this. Learn national expert Dr. Virna Little and find supportive resources: bit.ly/4pqXQcD

#NPSADay

2

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 23d

"In general, Medicaid patients who lived in the most socially disadvantaged zip codes were less likely to have a primary care visit... [but] community health centers helped fill the void left by the lack of other [providers]." Read more from @geigergibson.bsky.social: bit.ly/4ppO6PK

#CHCs

A new research report published in the JAMA Health Forum demonstrates how community health centers step up to provide care in America’s most disadvantaged communities.

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 23d

"You Are a Manager... Now What?" Our certificate-granting manager training series with workforce leader April Lewis will help you answer that question regardless of your level of experience. Join a cohort of healthcare managers from across the U.S. for seminars starting Oct. 9: bit.ly/4h3VJHK

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved @acunderserved.bsky.social · 28d

Healthcare workers are significantly more likely to end their lives by suicide than the general population. We can change this: on #WorldSuicidePreventionDay and beyond, let’s care for all those at risk, including the healers.

➡️Learn how and raise awareness with our kit: bit.ly/4gdbFHq