You might notice the following statement on some of our forms and literature:
“Walnut Street Community Health Center, Inc. does business as Family Healthcare of Hagerstown (FHH). This health center receives funding through Health and Human Services (HHS) and is a grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254b. FHH has Federal Public Health Services (PHS) deemed status related to certain health or health-related claims under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n). This includes medical malpractice claims for itself and its covered individuals. FHH is a nonprofit organization under section 501(c)3 of the IRS Code. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”
But what does that really mean? Well, we asked a few of our patients to read and explain it and here’s how they “broke it down”:
Walnut Street Community Health Center, Inc. does business as Family Healthcare of Hagerstown (FHH). “This means that the legal name of the health center is Walnut Street Community Health Center, Inc. but Family Healthcare of Hagerstown is used.” (We think it describes us better!)
This health center receives funding through Health and Human Services (HHS) and is a grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254b. “FHH gets money to be a Community Health Center.” (Those letters and numbers are the actual section in the US Code Book, where it describes this in more detail. Click here to see it in print.)
FHH has Federal Public Health Services (PHS) deemed status related to certain health or health-related claims under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n). This includes medical malpractice claims for itself and its covered individuals. “FHH has medical malpractice liability coverage and the Federal Government is the main insurer. It covers FHH, staff, volunteers, and other people as long as they are in the bounds of their job.” (This is called FTCA deeming. Because we are “deemed”, we have A LOT of checks and balances to keep staff and patients safe! If you want to learn more about FTCA deeming, click here.
FHH is a nonprofit organization under section 501(c)3 of the IRS Code. “Money earned goes back into the pot to take care of patients.” (Well, yes, but there is a bit more to it: FHH is tax exempt. Any profits don’t go to private shareholders. We don’t lobby or try to sway the government. Click here for more information.)
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. “FHH doesn’t discriminate.” (Need we say more? Just in case, click here or here to learn more about what it means to be an equal opportunity provider or employer.)