- 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
Research: Impact of COVID-19 Shutdown on Mental Health in Appalachia
A study published in the Journal of Appalachian Health examines whether there were higher levels of anxiety, fear, and depression among those who continued working outside the home compared with those who began working remotely during the shutdown. A separate article in the same issue, A Description of COVID-19 Lifestyle Restrictions Among a Sample of Rural Appalachian Women gives findings of a survey that asked about social interactions, doctor visits, child care, and substance use recovery.
ERS: Rural Residents More Vulnerable to COVID-19
The Economic Research Service (ERS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture examines trends in COVID-19 case rates and death rates for urban and rural areas. Find more information here.
Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines
On February 1, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services released new guidelines used to determine financial eligibility for certain federal programs. Programs using the guidelines include Head Start, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the National School Lunch Program, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
HHS Adds Categories of Those Allowed to Administer COVID-19 Vaccine
On February 2, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) issued an amendment to the Emergency Declaration made last March in response to COVID-19. The amendment allows additional categories of health care professionals – including physicians, registered nurses, and practical nurses with recently expired licenses – to administer COVID-19 vaccinations.
Living With Natural Gas Pipelines: Appalachian Landowners Describe Fear, Anxiety, and Loss
By Erin Brock Carlson and Martina Angela Caretta, The Conversation
The natural gas boom in Appalachia came with a host of environmental and safety issues, hurting people who were in the communities it promised to lift economically the most.
Read more
Commentary: Five Signs Rural Elders May Need A Helping Hand
By Donna Kallner
Families who have followed recommended guidelines on social distancing for nearly a year are looking forward to the time when pandemic precautions lift and they can hug their elders again. But there may be some surprises in store once you get past the front door.
Read more
New Infections Ease in Rural Counties, but the Number of Deaths Climbs Slightly
By Tim Murphy and Tim Marema
New cases dropped by 8% last week in rural counties, but the number of new Covid-related deaths climbed by about 1%.
Read more
Without a Ride, Many in Need Have No Shot at Covid-19 Vaccine
By Jenni Bergal, Stateline
Experts identified cold storage capacity, facilities and personnel, and – above all – transportation as the main roadblocks to vaccinating parts of rural populations.
Read more
Changes in CDC Gonorrhea Treatment Recommendations
The Pennsylvania Department of Health released a PA Health Alert Network (PAHAN-549-01-29-ADV) on Changes in the CDC Gonorrhea Treatment Recommendations. With the ongoing threat of antibiotic resistance in gonorrhea, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a change to the recommended treatment for gonorrhea. It is suggested that providers adopt these new CDC recommendations as cases are at and a historic high. Young adults age 15-30 represent a significant disproportionate number of cases, representing 63% of all reported cases in 2020. Providers are encouraged to maintain a high index of suspicion for the emergence of resistant gonorrhea by immediately reporting any suspected treatment failures to 1-877-PA-HEALTH. Click here to read the PAHAN.
Routine Dental Care May Reduce Stroke Risk
The importance of good oral health and its relationship to physical health has again been validated. According to a new study published in the American Heart Journal, periodontal disease appears to be associated with atrial fibrillation, and an irregular heart rate may be the mediator between the serious gum infection and stroke.