January 13, 2018, the US Department of Health and Human Services published the 2018 Federal Poverty Guidelines. This year reflects an $80 increase, moving from $12,060 to $12,140 for the contiguous 48 states. Click H ERE for the link.

*Margie Swanstrom, CEO - Compliant Community Health Center*

Review Your Policies & Procedures for Compliance

Need a second set of eyes on your Sliding Fee Discount program? Just ask! We're here to help. Just this past year, HRSA published the finalized health center program compliance manual and the new site visit protocol, rendering PIN 2014-02 null and void. Have a site visit coming up? Let us help you get one step ahead so you don't wind up like Marge (pictured) when the Feds come a knockin.

How Is Poverty Measured in the United States?

The United States Census Bureau determines poverty status by comparing pre-tax cash income against a threshold that is set at three times the cost of a minimum food diet in 1963, updated annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index. The rate does not vary by geographic differences in cost of living within the contiguous United States and it is not adjusted for changes in the standard of living over time. Pretty wild, eh? Read more about it here.

*Mom and Dad listen to little Susan's story while Billy ponders the definition of poverty.*