Rural Health Information Hub Latest News

New Resource from the RUPRI Rural Health Value Team 

The Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Rural Health Value team has updated their Catalog of Value-Based Initiatives for Rural Providers. The resource includes one-page summaries of various HHS value-based programs appropriate for rural participation. It covers programs implemented by HHS, primarily by CMS and its Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). Recent catalog additions include 1) Community Health Access and Rural Transformation (CHART) Community Transformation and Accountable Care Organization Tracks 2) the Radiation Oncology Model, and 3) the Value in Opioid Disorder Treatment Model.

House and Senate Depart Washington Following Senate Passage of Medicare Sequestration Relief and Rural Health Clinic Corrections 

The House and Senate are in recess for their annual Spring recess. Before departing, the Senate passed H.R. 1868 which included continued Medicare sequestration relief through the end of the year and a technical correction to the RHC provisions in the December COVID-19 relief package. The package is anticipated to be signed when they return the week of April 12th.

USDA Invests $266 Million to Improve Rural Community Facilities and Essential Services in 16 States and Puerto Rico 

On March 23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of $226 million to improve rural community facilities and essential services. USDA is investing in 41 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program to fund a variety of essential community services, including emergency response vehicles and equipment. Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB) for a detailed overview of the application process. You can find the USDA press release here.

NHSC Receives $800 Million to Support Loan Repayment and Scholarship Programs 

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) opened its application for all three loan repayment programs and its NHSC Scholarship Program with an additional $800 million available for awards. The additional funds are part of the American Rescue Plan and will support the largest number of NHSC clinicians in history. The NHSC Loan Repayment Program (NHSC LRP), the NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program (NHSC SUD Workforce LRP) and the NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program (NHSC Rural Community LRP). The application closes on May 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET.