Module 1: Public Policy Context for Understanding CHNA

Understanding the political and policy context behind the community health needs assessment requirement is a first step toward developing an effective process for improving the health of communities.

The resources listed below provide an overview of how the CHNA requirement fits into the larger structure of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010 and how it fits into the broader community health improvement planning process.

CHNA in the Age of the Affordable Care Act
This Kaiser Permanente policy story discusses the role of CHNA in the context of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and health care reform. It explains the rationale behind the CHNA level of investment in community-based prevention. Click here to see a PDF file on Kaiser Permanente story.

A Health Care Advocate’s Guide to CHNA
The link between the required CHNA and improved health is highlighted in this 2013 Non-Profit Quarterly article by Rick Cohen.

Hospital Community Benefits after the ACA: The State Law Landscape
This issue brief by the Hilltop Institute discusses federal and state community benefits standards and the role of CHNA in each. See the brief (PDF format)