- Fact Sheet: The Biden-Harris Administration Highlights Investments in Rural America, Invites Public Nominations for Rural Innovators Initiative
- Rural Victims of Intimate-Partner Violence Need More Resources and Support, Study Finds
- A Tribe in Maine Is Using Opioid Settlement Funds on a Sweat Lodge to Treat Addiction
- Fact Sheet: USDA, HHS Announce New Actions to Reduce Impact and Spread of H5N1
- Call for Experts: Forum on Aging, Disability, and Independence
- Bill to Expand Definition of 'Village' Qualifying for Water Funds Passes Alaska House
- Child Care Workers Caught in Middle of Michigan's Broken Child Care System
- Few Options Available for Substance Abuse Treatment in the Big Bend
- In Rural Texas, ERs Are Facing a Growing Mental Health Crisis
- Ways and Means Members Put Forth Solutions to Strengthen Telehealth Access and Improve Health Care for Rural Communities
- Sage Memorial Hospital in Navajo Nation Constructs New Facility to Improve Health Care
- How the State, Tribes and Federal Government Are Working to Curb SD's Syphilis Epidemic
- Rural Children Struggle to Access Hospital Services, Say Researchers
- RPHARM Program Fulfills Need for Rural Pharmacists
- A Pilot Program in Rural Vermont Hopes to Build a Blueprint for Substance Abuse Recovery
Executive Order and Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Address Telehealth Continuation
On August 3, President Trump signed an Executive Order on Improving Rural Health and Telehealth Access, aiming to expand rural health access and many of the telehealth policies put into place during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to be aware, however, that Congressional action is needed to extend telehealth services for FQHCs beyond the public health emergency declaration, a fact emphasized in the annual Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule issued shortly after the executive order. There are a number of efforts in Congress to address the need for an extension of Medicare telehealth services for FQHCs; an overview of NACHC supported bills can be found here. The proposed rule does include a provision to add Principal Care Management services for FQHCs and RHCs and to rebase the Medicare FQHC market basket.
Wolf Administration Launches Pennsylvania Violence Data Dashboard
Governor Wolf announced that the Department of Health (DOH) has launched a violence data dashboard to collect data on the scope, frequency, geography and populations affected by violence in Pennsylvania. The creation of the dashboard was a mandate in the governor’s 2019 Executive Order to Reduce Gun Violence. The executive order included collecting data on the number of victims of gun violence, rates at which gun violence occurs in locations and contributory factors. DOH will coordinate with and collect data from the Department of Human Services, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Coalition on Crime and Delinquency, and other commonwealth entities to populate the dashboard. Data will be available by gender, race/ethnicity, age group and geography.
New Rural Hot Spots are ICU Bed Deserts, Study Finds
More than half of rural low-income communities in the United States have zero ICU beds, so many hospitals are having to transfer patients to wealthier urban facilities. Using Medicare data, Health Affairs researchers found that nearly 49 percent of all low-income areas did not have ICU beds. This gap exists across rural and urban settings, but it is far worse in rural America. Many hospitals have either converted regular beds to ICU beds or have had to rely on transfers to facilities with more resources. Poorer access to care and higher percentages of chronic health conditions increases the risk posed by COVID-19 in rural America. During a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Thursday, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) warned that problems with supply chains and disparities in access to care in rural areas could further exacerbate racial disparities as well.
The Health 202: Hospitals Must Start Paying Back Millions Borrowed from Government during Pandemic
Hospitals must start paying back the millions in federal loans that were provided at the beginning of the pandemic, but experts are worried that these payments, which will be docked from regular Medicare payments until they are completely paid off, will cause rural hospitals to struggle. Chip Kahn, President of the American Federation of Hospitals, expressed concerns that hospitals are in the middle of these COVID-19 surges and that being forced to repay these loans is “going to kill them.” NRHA is advocating for MAAP loan relief for rural hospitals in the upcoming COVID-19 relief package. However, thus far, Republicans and Democrats have failed to agree on what to include and how much to spend on the relief package.
Missouri Congressman Introduces Bill to Support Rural Hospitals
Missouri Congressman Jason Smith introduced the Saving Rural Hospitals from Closure Act. The bill would require HHS to forgive all Medicare Advance and Accelerated Payments (MAAP) for rural hospitals that are experiencing severe financial hardship. Additionally, it would extend the timeline for rural hospitals’ repayment or lower the interest rate of their payments. The legislation stipulates that HHS must make a decision within 30 days of receiving a request from a struggling hospital. In the months since April, Congressman Smith has implored both the White House and Congressional leaders to explore cost saving opportunities to rural hospitals.
CMS Administrator: PPP Funds to Not be Counted on Medicare Cost Reports
In a tweet on August 6, 2020, CMS Administrator Seema Verma said: “CMS does not intend for Paycheck Protection Program funds to impact Medicare payments to rural hospitals. More guidance will be out soon that’ll explain how hospitals should report those funds on their Medicare Cost Reports. The Trump Administration continues to use every tool to expand services & improve the healthcare communication infrastructure in rural areas – ensuring rural Americans have access to the medical care they need.” The National Rural Health Association applauds this action by Administrator Verma, but is continuing to work with Capitol Hill to ensure, through codified law, that these funds do not negatively impact Medicare Cost Reports in the future. You can find their most recent letter to the Administration on this issue linked here.
CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls – August
CMS hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency’s response to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the healthcare community and are intended to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts.
Call details are below. Conference lines are limited so we highly encourage you to join via audio webcast, either on your computer or smartphone web browser. You are welcome to share this invitation with your colleagues and professional networks. These calls are not intended for the press.
Calls recordings and transcripts are posted on the CMS podcast page at: https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Outreach/OpenDoorForums/PodcastAndTranscripts
CMS COVID-19 Office Hours Calls (twice a month on Tuesday at 5:00 – 6:00 PM Eastern)
Office Hour Calls provide an opportunity for hospitals, health systems, and providers to ask questions of agency officials regarding CMS’s temporary actions that empower local hospitals and healthcare systems to:
- Increase Hospital Capacity – CMS Hospitals Without Walls;
- Rapidly Expand the Healthcare Workforce;
- Put Patients Over Paperwork; and
- Further Promote Telehealth in Medicare
Office Hours:
Tuesday, August 11th at 5:00 – 6:00 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 3498643
Audio Webcast link: https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=6f7db93e-3329a042-6f7d8801-0cc47adc5fa2-ed718e46a02e4dc1&u=https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=2361
Tuesday, August 25th at 5:00 – 6:00 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 8579003
Audio Webcast link: https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=b0ee57aa-ecbb5eb9-b0ee6695-0cc47adb5650-7cf527ad219c44d5&u=https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=2371
Weekly COVID-19 Care Site-Specific Calls
CMS hosts weekly calls for certain types of organizations to provide targeted updates on the agency’s latest COVID-19 guidance. One to two leaders in the field also share best practices with their peers. There is an opportunity to ask questions of presenters if time allows.
Home Health and Hospice (twice a month on Tuesday at 3:00 PM Eastern)
Tuesday, August 11th at 3:00 – 3:30 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 5097566
Audio Webcast Link: https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=b4723cca-e827351a-b4720df5-0cc47a6a52de-e4916e2be973d447&u=https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=2386
Tuesday, August 25th at 3:00 – 3:30 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 6782346
Audio Webcast Link: https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=d56b6f04-893e66d4-d56b5e3b-0cc47a6a52de-db676249ca56a67f&u=https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=2391
Nursing Homes (twice a month on Wednesday at 4:30 PM Eastern)
Wednesday, August 12th 4:30 – 5:00 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 7857618
Audio Webcast Link: https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=2884bdb1-74d1b4a2-28848c8e-0cc47adb5650-5b54c104cb155c28&u=https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=2411
Wednesday, August 26th 4:30 – 5:00 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 5718509
Audio Webcast Link: https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=4af88041-16ad8952-4af8b17e-0cc47adb5650-7a1a6bc3fec88107&u=https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=2416
Dialysis Organizations (twice a month on Wednesday at 5:30 PM Eastern)
Wednesday, August 12th at 5:30 – 6:00 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 1027088
Audio Webcast Link: https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=6b0af8ba-375ff16a-6b0ac985-0cc47a6a52de-6400b78b7f9a7c65&u=https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=2401
Wednesday, August 26th at 5:30 – 6:00 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 1834329
Audio Webcast Link: https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=660ee5d6-3a5accfd-660ed4e9-0cc47a6d17cc-f3e0100acefbe41f&u=https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=2406
Nurses (twice a month on Thursday at 3:00 PM Eastern)
Thursday, August 13th at 3:00 – 3:30 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 7844289
Audio Webcast Link: https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=666e39a3-3a3b30b0-666e089c-0cc47adb5650-9c83dad655df67f4&u=https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=2421
Thursday, August 27th at 3:00 – 3:30 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 1556623
Audio Webcast Link: https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=9527d1a9-c972d879-9527e096-0cc47a6a52de-3cc6130cbe1e01ac&u=https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=2426
Lessons from the Front Lines: COVID-19 (twice a month on Friday at 12:30 – 2:00 PM Eastern)
Lessons from the Front Lines calls are a joint effort between CMS Administrator Seema Verma, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, MD, and the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Physicians and other clinicians are invited to share their experience, ideas, strategies, and insights with one another related to their COVID-19 response. There is an opportunity to ask questions of presenters.
Next Lessons from the Front Lines:
Friday, August 21st at 12:30 – 2:00 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 5956858
Audio Webcast Link: https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=5bbe4eed-07ea67c6-5bbe7fd2-0cc47a6d17cc-0fae9923aae1404e&u=https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=2381
For the most current information including call schedule changes, please click here
To keep up with the important work the White House Task Force is doing in response to COVID-19 click here: https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=36fa2226-6aae0b0d-36fa1319-0cc47a6d17cc-2d06c219f858d641&u=http://www.coronavirus.gov/. For information specific to CMS, please visit the Current Emergencies Website.
#WellChildWednesdays Campaign Extended to Support Catch-up Visits and Immunizations
HRSA’s #WellChildWednesdays social media campaign, encouraging families to visit their pediatric provider for well-child visits and immunizations, kicked off in June, and due to its success is now extending into mid-August. The focus of an additional 3 posts will be to remind families to “catch up” on any missed appointments and vaccines.
The campaign has generated more than 400 new posts using the #WellChildWednesdays hashtag. More than 600 health centers in nearly every state, as well as federal agencies, the U.S. Surgeon General, and maternal and child health organizations nationwide have amplified the posts on social media. The posts offer families the information and support they need to make well-child visits a priority. Please continue to RETWEET and SHARE the messages on @HRSAgov Twitter and Facebook.
Healthy People 2030 Launch
August 18, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. EDT
On August 18, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will unveil the latest edition of Healthy People.
Healthy People 2030 is a set of science-based, 10-year national objectives for improving health and well-being in the United States. During the webcast, we’ll highlight the new Healthy People 2030 goals and objectives and provide an overview of the development process. We’ll also feature guest speakers from HHS who will discuss Healthy People 2030 data, social determinants of health, health equity, and more.
No registration is necessary. Just visit hhs.gov/live on August 18 at 1 p.m. EDT. We hope to see you at the virtual launch event.
Rural Health Surge Readiness Web Portal
We know rural health care faces unique challenges in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Healthcare Resilience Working Group (HRWG) has developed the Rural Health Surge Readiness web portal, a collection of essential rural health care resources, tools, and training that health care workers and organizations – including EMS & 911, inpatient & hospital care, ambulatory care, and long-term care – can utilize to prepare for and respond to COVID-19.
This one-stop shop for rural health care lets users quickly find the information they need to prepare for or respond to surge events, navigate financial challenges related to the pandemic, and can enhance their capacity and capability to provide lifesaving care to Americans who live in rural areas across the country.
Check out the portal. For more information, contact the Federal Healthcare Resilience Working Group.