How can the FTCA affect rural health?
The Federally Supported Health Centers Assistance Act (FSHCAA) of 1992 and the 1995 reauthorization, commonly referred to as the Federal Tort Claims Act or FTCA program, created a medical malpractice insurance program for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) that offer full medical malpractice protection for health center activities at no cost to grantees who participate. These are the FQHCs that are funded under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act and are commonly known as Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless Centers, and Health Care for Residents of Public Housing Centers. FQHC look-a-likes, an organization that meets all of the eligibility requirements of an FQHC but does not receive grant funding, are not eligible for the FTCA program. Under the FSHCAA of 1992 and 1995, Health Centers – their officers and staff – funded under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act can apply to be “deemed” federal employees for the purpos
