Dear Editor:
Regarding Windy City Times' "analysis" of Howard Brown Health Center ( HBHC ) published Aug. 3: It is important for members of the LGBTQA community to knowas we stated in our response to the author's questionsthat HBHC is in compliance with the federal guidelines for its Federally Qualified Health Center Look-A-Like designation, which is reviewed periodically by the appropriate authorities, including a recent review. This is particularly important now, as we await the federal government's decision on our application for full FQHC status.
WCT's Aug. 3 article stated:
"Via email, we asked Jamal Edwards if the 51-percent requirement was fulfilled. However, he did not respond directly to the question, only stating that the agency was seeking FQHC status."
Yet, as you know, in direct response to your questions, on July 17 HBHC wrote:
"HBHC is in compliance with the federal guidelines for its Federally Qualified Health Center Look-A-Like designation, which is reviewed periodically by the appropriate authorities, including a recent review."
In the interests of accuracy and fairness when informing the community we collectively serve, we hope you'll carefully consider correcting any discrepancy.
HBHC remains deeply committed to providing compassionate and culturally competent care to the entire community, regardless of their ability to pay, and to becoming the best LGBTQA health center in the country. We are a lifeline for those in need, and appreciate the community's support.
Jamal M. Edwards
President & CEO
Howard Brown Health Center
Yasmin Nair responds: We asked a very straightforward question to Mr. Edwards: Is the 51-percent requirement being fulfilled? We did not get an answer to that question, and duly noted that point. In this letter, Mr. Edwards is, in effect, answering a question that was not asked and yet still does not address the issue of the 51-percent requirement. If it is perhaps the case that this requirement is negligible or unimportant, Mr. Edwards is perfectly within his rights to state that such is the case. His letter gives the impression that we deliberately sought to state that HBHC was not in compliance with federal guidelines as a whole; such is not the case.
The federal government is capable of determining a health center's eligibility for Federally Qualified Health Center status or the Look-Alike status without relying entirely on a newspaper report; I imagine that involves asking questions about matters like the 51-percent requirement, the question about which still remains unanswered.