- Miles for Milk: How Student-Run Grocery Store Reshaped Rural Community's Food Access
- Native Americans Have Shorter Life Spans, and It's Not Just Due to Lack of Health Care
- Promotoras Play Essential Role in Connecting Farmworkers with Health Care in Rural NorCal
- Using Medicaid to Address Young People's Mental Health Needs in School Settings
- Across the Country, Amish Populations Are on the Rise
- Sunsets, Wildlife and Limited Care: Challenges of Aging in Place in Rural America
- City-Country Mortality Gap Widens amid Persistent Holes in Rural Health Care Access
- Tribal Environmental Impact Network
- Minnesota's Rural Ambulance Providers Look to State Capitol for Their Own Lifeline
- Biden-Harris Administration Takes Action to Support the Primary Care Workforce
- Over 3,000 Homes on the Navajo Nation Receive Accurate Addresses for the First Time
- Rural Population Grows for Second Consecutive Year
- Rapides Library Offers Telehealth to a Town Without Doctors
- Rural Infection Preventionists Need Community Support
- New Federal Health IT Strategy Sets Sights on a Heathier, More Innovative, and More Equitable Health Care Experience
Federal Exchange Signups Reach 1.7M
On November 20, 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that 737,352 people signed up for federal exchange plans during the third week of the Affordable Care Act’s current open enrollment period, bringing total federal exchange plan signups to about 1.7 million since the open enrollment period launched Nov. 1. Total signups so far this open enrollment period are down 13% when compared with the same point in last year’s open enrollment period. (Source: Modern Healthcare, 11/20
CMS Flags Nursing Home Citations
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on its Nursing Home Compare website has added a new icon—a red circle with a white stop hand in the center—to ratings for 760 facilities, indicating that the facilities have been cited for an incident of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Consumer advocates have applauded the move, but some in the nursing home industry say the alerts are misleading. (Source: Wall Street Journal, 11/19)
Rural America at a Glance, 2019 Edition
Provides an overview of social and economic factors affecting rural America, with a focus on trends impacting rural areas after the end of the 2009 recession. Includes data on population, employment and labor force participation, poverty, and income.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
Read it here: https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/95341/eib-212.pdf?v=5832
DOJ Awards More than $100 Million to Combat Human Trafficking and Assist Victims
The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded more than $100 million in funding, through the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), to combat human trafficking and provide vital services to trafficking victims throughout the United States. For a complete list of individual grant programs, award amounts, and jurisdictions that will receive funding, visit the DOJ webpage here.
Hospital Groups to Fight Price Transparency Rule
Millennials’ Health Worse that Previous Generations
Millennials are experiencing chronic health issues at greater rates than previous generations, according to a report released this month by Moody’s and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The report noted that higher rates of chronic conditions could have a significant effect on millennials’ economic potential and health spending in the future. (Source: Bloomberg, 11/6)
Time to Celebrate the #PowerofRural!
Every year, the third Thursday of November is designated as National Rural Health Day (NRHD). What began as an annual, single day of recognition has grown to be a national conversation and movement!
Multiple events are happening in every state across the country throughout the week and on November 21. the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health has made it easy to participate by offering free communication tools, an idea guide, and an extensive listing of and registration for activities around the country – all available on PowerofRural.org!
Thanks again for all you do to help us transform this moment into a movement!
Report Demonstrates How Medicaid Increases Adult Access to Oral Health Care
Part 2 of a research report from the DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement demonstrates how Medicaid, with its limited dental coverage, significantly improved adults’ access and utilization of dental services, compared to those who lack medical coverage. Click to read about Medicaid, family income and dental services.
New AHRQ Medication-Assisted Treatment Resource
A new Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (AHRQ) interactive resource provides the latest guidance, tools, and resources for organizations implementing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. It addresses the growing need for guidance as more primary care practices and health systems begin to implement MAT.
Apple Health Records Rollout for Nation’s Veterans
Apple and the Department of Veterans Affairs have completed the rollout of Apple Health Records to any iOS users among the more than 9 million veterans in the US and surrounding territories. Veterans will have secure access to a portable aggregated record of their allergies, immunizations, lab results, procedures and other health measures through the health records feature in Apple’s health app.The rollout includes 1,243 facilities across all 50 states as well as Cuba, Guam, Philippines, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. Data will be encrypted and secured with passwords, TouchID or FaceID. Earlier this year, the VA rolled out its LaunchPad app, designed as a one-stop shop to help veterans manage care across the VA system; view and share electronic health records; share other health information with care providers; more easily book appointments; and refill prescriptions. The VA also announced a partnership with Verizon, offering veterans who are Verizon customers unlimited access to the VA Video Connect telehealth app with no data charges.