Tennessee
The Tennessee PCO and PCA have a long history of working closely on issues such as workforce, health information technology, and quality. One example of their collaboration includes when the Department of Health and the PCA created and implemented the Health Care Safety Net program by identifying FQHCs and other community-based primary care providers to increase access to “health care home” services for uninsured adults. Also, in late 2007, the Department of Health was awarded a $1.6 million HIT grant from HRSA for the development and installation of a Health Information Exchange, which initially consisted of three rural critical access hospitals, several FQHCs, and one regional medical center. The PCA is working with the Department of Health and the Office of eHealth Initiatives to develop HIT connectivity plans for another group of FQHCs over the next three years, with an overarching goal to integrate all 140 FQHC sites by 2015.
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
