- CMS: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2026
- CMS: Medicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2026
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Fiscal Year 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
- CMS: Request for Information; Health Technology Ecosystem
- VA: Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program Funding Opportunity
- State: 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: J-1 Visa Waiver Recommendation Application
- Public Inspection: CMS: Request for Information: Health Technology Ecosystem
- HHS: Request for Information (RFI): Ensuring Lawful Regulation and Unleashing Innovation To Make American Healthy Again
- VA: Solicitation of Nominations for the Appointment to the Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs
- GAO Seeks New Members for Tribal and Indigenous Advisory Council
- VA: Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program Funding Opportunity
- Telehealth Study Recruiting Veterans Now
- USDA Delivers Immediate Relief to Farmers, Ranchers and Rural Communities Impacted by Recent Disasters
- Submit Nominations for Partnership for Quality Measurement (PQM) Committees
Congress Breaks for Recess, but Momentum Moves Toward Passage of Additional COVID-19 Relief
Following the acquittal of former President Donald Trump Saturday, the House and Senate returned to their home Districts and States for the scheduled President’s Day recess. However, last week, House Committees began markup of the next COVID-19 relief package. Passed out of Committee were instructions to the House Budget Committee to begin drafting the final text of the COVID-19 relief package. The Senate is expected to move on the final package the following week.
Biden Administration Purchases Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Doses
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Defense (DOD) announced they have purchased an additional 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from both Pfizer and Moderna. Consistent with President Biden’s goal of 100 million shots in 100 days, the United States government has now placed enough orders to have a total of 600 million doses ready for distribution. NRHA is excited by the progress being made in distributing vaccines as quickly as possible but continues to urge the new Administration to be mindful of the challenges rural providers and patients are facing. Because of this, NRHA has asked the Administration to provide additional resources to rural areas to help quickly distribute the vaccine.
Midwestern Public Health Rural Health Podcast Series
In more than 40 episodes ranging from 15 minutes to an hour in length, the Midwestern Public Health Training Center looks at challenges and success stories that include mental health, leadership, tackling equity, and the impact of COVID-19. Since last month the series has had a rural health focus, with episodes celebrating arts and culture, rural food systems, and the reality of working in a rural hospital during the pandemic. Find more information here.
MACPAC: Medicaid’s Role in Health Care for AI/AN
The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) is a nonpartisan agency in the legislative branch that analyzes policy and makes recommendations to federal and state-level policymakers. In this report, MACPAC provides an overview of the federal government’s role in providing health care to American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN), including the structure of the Indian Health Service and the special Medicaid rules and protections that apply to AI/AN beneficiaries and Indian health providers.
NGA: Supporting a Trained Direct Care Workforce During and After the Pandemic
The National Governor’s Association (NGA) reports on waivers issued by states and by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to address staffing challenges during the public health emergency. The NGA explains these, including temporary adjustments to training requirements, and presents strategies for retaining this workforce when the waivers expire.
Report: Emergency Medical Services Personnel (EMS) as Vaccinators
The National Association of State EMS Officials reports on state-level policy that allows paramedics and other first-responders to administer vaccines.
CDC: Trends in Drug and Synthetic Opioid Overdose Deaths
In the February 12 issue of its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report an increase in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, cocaine, and psychostimulants. During the period studied, 2013 – 2019, synthetic opioid deaths largely consisted of illicitly manufactured fentanyl. In 2019, a total of 70,630 drug overdose deaths occurred, an increase of 4.3 percent over deaths in 2018.
CDC: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Pandemic-Related Stress
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that Hispanic adults reported a higher prevalence of symptoms of depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Estimates of self-reported suicidal thoughts/ideation among Hispanic persons (22.9%) were four times those among non-Hispanic Black (Black) persons (5.2%) and White persons (5.3%) and approximately twice those of multiracial and non-Hispanic persons of other races/ethnicities (8.9%).
Extended Public Comment Period for FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) continues to seek public comment on the metrics that should be used to evaluate applications for Round 2 of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program and how the FCC should treat applications filed during initial funding rounds. In January, the FCC announced an additional $250 million for the program that was established in April 2020 and set a deadline of January 19 for comments. That deadline has been lifted and the FCC will continue to accept comments at any time.
CDC National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine – February 22-24
Beginning Monday, February 22, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will hold a virtual event over three days to promote the most effective strategies for building confidence and increasing access to the vaccine nationwide. Community health stakeholders including pharmacies, labor associations, faith-based organizations, and academic institutions are encouraged to attend and hear from leaders at every level of government and across sectors.