OUR HISTORY
The Missouri Coalition for Primary Healthcare, now known as the Missouri Primary Care Association (MPCA), began in 1984 with a modest coming together of five health centers. Gary Passmore was the first to provide administrative services under contract. The organization then saw Dale Fiedler lead from 1986 to 1989, followed by Shelly Smith in 1990, and Ben Pettus from 1991 to 1999. It was in 1999 that Joe Pierle took the helm as CEO, marking a significant period of growth and influence for the MPCA.
In its early years, the MPCA dedicated itself to defining its role within the state's healthcare landscape. At the time, a St. Louis-based organization and the regional Heartland Coalition, encompassing Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska, already existed. A pivotal moment came in 1992 when the MPCA negotiated to administer the Heartland Coalition, managing its federal funds and distributing them among the four member states based on their health center membership.
Under Ben Pettus's leadership, the MPCA successfully secured funding for crucial case management services through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) program. Furthermore, the association advocated effectively for family nurse practitioners to practice at Health Centers under indirect supervision, expanding access to care.
The transition to Joe Pierle's leadership in 1999 ushered in an era of heightened political engagement and organizational expansion. Joining the MPCA from Senator Kit Bond's health policy staff, Mr. Pierle steered the association towards greater activity in both state and federal politics. Membership more than doubled during his tenure, growing from 13 members in 1999 to 28.
When Mr. Pierle assumed the CEO role, the MPCA faced internal challenges, including divisions among health centers and incomplete membership. There was also a lack of state funding for Health Centers. Simultaneously, an ambitious initiative to double the number of health centers in Missouri was gaining momentum, championed by Senator Bond at Joe Pierle’s urging.
By 2001, Senator Bond introduced a resolution with the goal of doubling the number of health centers within five years through the REACH Initiative. While the five-year target wasn't met, the initiative spurred significant growth, and within six years, the number of health centers nationwide had doubled, with Missouri adding seven new sites.
A key achievement under Mr. Pierle’s leadership was the unification of Missouri’s health centers, with all becoming MPCA members by 2003. He also dedicated considerable effort to building relationships with state legislators, resulting in the establishment of annual state funding for Health Centers, which reached $10 million within five years of his employment.
The MPCA continued to secure substantial resources for health center development, including $60 million for construction in 2007. By 2023, the MPCA was managing $28,538,000 in state funding across various vital contracts, supporting Women and Minority health initiatives, Community Health Workers, Chronic Disease Management, Medication Assisted Therapy, Substance Abuse Disorder services, Primary Care and Behavioral Health Integration, and Foster Care Partnerships. In the same year, the MPCA secured an additional $74,706,000 in capital funding to further support health center expansion.
Recognizing the importance of quality improvement, the MPCA established the Missouri Quality Improvement Network (MOQuIN) in 2010. This initiative fostered a strategic partnership with Azara, leading to the creation of the data aggregation software (DRVS), which has become a nationally recognized tool for enhancing health center quality improvement efforts.
In 2012, the MPCA founded the Missouri Community Health Foundation, which includes the Kit Bond Scholarship Program. This program supports health professions students and residents committed to working in community health centers through tuition assistance and loan forgiveness. Additionally, the MPCA collaborated with MOHealth Net to develop a patient-centered medical home program, which has provided health centers with over $100 million since its inception in 2012.
The MPCA further expanded its reach in 2013 with the creation of Missouri Health Plus (MHP), an independent Physician Association. MHP was established to partner with managed care organizations in designing and implementing value-based care initiatives focused on improving primary care services and outcomes at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). In 2021, MHP broadened its scope to include Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), aiming to advance integrated, comprehensive value-based care and payment models within Missouri’s safety net system.
Joe Pierle and the MPCA were instrumental in the effort to expand Medicaid in Missouri. This involved initial legislative attempts followed by a successful ballot initiative in 2020, which led to a revision of the Missouri Constitution to expand Medicaid eligibility.
In 2022, the 101st Missouri General Assembly passed House Bill No. 3020, securing a historic $149 million in funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This landmark achievement, driven by the advocacy of the Missouri Behavioral Health Council and the Missouri Primary Care Association, represents the largest single capital improvement investment in the state’s safety net provider system.
The MPCA’s current priorities include advocating for the 340B program for health centers at both state and federal levels and working to enhance the Health Information Technology capacity within these vital healthcare providers.
