- 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
Commentary: Rural Americans Need to See Themselves as Part of America’s Diversity
By Douglas Burns, Carroll Times Herald
Rural people aren’t adequately represented in the institutions that define and govern the nation. To correct this, we can work with other people who are overlooked.
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New Covid-19 Cases Drop by 5% in Rural Counties While Urban Areas See a 15% Drop
By Tim Murphy and Tim Marema
The number of new Covid-related deaths increased last week by 14%. Urban areas saw an increase of only 1%.
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Biden’s First Budget Proposal Recognizes Some Rural Needs
By Leslie Strauss and Joe Belden
The president’s first budget proposal, separate from his infrastructure plan, addresses rural housing, e-connectivity, and economic development.
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NRHA Joins COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Projects
To reinforce the association’s dedication to health equity, The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) has recently joined several national coalitions aimed at communicating vaccine safety and efficacy. HHS’ COVID-19 Community Corps aims to establish a network of trusted voices to promote vaccines. The Made to Save Coalition is a public education and grassroots effort to increase vaccine access in communities of color. And the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project includes resources to reach a variety of populations. Bookmark NRHA’s COVID resources page to find rural-relevant resources all in one place.
NRHA Details Rural Health Provisions within COVID-19 Relief Legislation
The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) produced a summary of the rural health provisions in COVID-19 relief legislation and highlights NRHA’s priorities for COVID-19 relief for rural health care.
NRHA Outlines New Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Model
The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) created a summary of the new REH model and NRHA’s considerations for CMS as the program is implemented. Section 125 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 created the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) model as a new Medicare provider type, effective as of January 1, 2023. NRHA believes the REH model will be an opportunity for vulnerable rural communities to maintain an essential access point for health services. It will be critical for NRHA membership to engage in the REH implementation process, including monitoring CMS’ development of the conditions of participation and calculations of payment methodologies. You can find NRHA’s blog on the document here. If you have questions or feedback, please reach out to Carrie Cochran-McClain at ccochran@nrharural.org.
Participate in NRHA’s Newest Advocacy Campaign to Urge Congress to Invest in Rural Health Care Infrastructure
The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is urging Congress to include support for rural health care as they craft the American Jobs Plan, commonly referred to as ‘the infrastructure package.’ Join NRHA in encouraging lawmakers to be mindful of the unique needs of rural America and ways rural health care supports local economies. You can participate in the newest advocacy campaign to encourage your Members of Congress to urge them to invest in rural health care infrastructure here.
Bipartisan, Bicameral Introduction of the CONNECT for Health Act
Bipartisan, bicameral legislation was introduced to expand coverage of telehealth services through Medicare, make permanent COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities, improve health outcomes, and make it easier for patients to safely connect with their doctors. The CONNECT for Health Act (H.R. 2903/S. 1512) was introduced by Sen. Schatz (D-HI) and 49 other Senators and Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and four other Representatives.
New Congressional Infrastructure Relief Counteroffers
Both Senate Republicans and the Problems Solvers Caucus introduced competing infrastructure proposals in response to President Biden’s American Jobs Plan. NRHA believes these proposals will serve as counteroffers and/or guideposts for Congressional negotiations as infrastructure priorities are codified into law.
CMS Releases Proposed FY 2022 IPPS Payment Rule
In addition to the four proposed fiscal year (FY) 2022 payments rules released earlier this month, CMS has released the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long Term Care Hospital (LTCH) proposed rule (Federal Registry Notice). It includes proposals on how to implement new Graduate Medicare Education (GME) provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021, including how to distribute additional GME slots for rural residency training programs. The proposed rule also includes two Requests for Information: one on ways to attain health equity for all patients, and the other on the use of Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standards to digitally submit quality information.