- 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
- Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation of the Medicare Program (Executive Order 14192) - Request for Information
- Dr. Mehmet Oz Shares Vision for CMS
- CMS Refocuses on its Core Mission and Preserving the State-Federal Medicaid Partnership
- Social Factors Help Explain Worse Cardiovascular Health among Adults in Rural Vs. Urban Communities
The Nation’s Attention Turns Towards Rural America as Concerns with COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Rise
Large urban hospitals are rushing to buy expensive ultra-cold freezers to store what’s likely to be the first approved COVID-19 vaccine. But most rural hospitals can’t afford these high-end units, meaning health workers and residents in those communities may have difficulty getting the vaccines. “Hundreds of rural, small towns all across the U.S. have a higher percentage of elderly, low-income [residents], a higher percentage of the community with multiple chronic health issues,” says NRHA CEO Alan Morgan. “In this financial environment, you can imagine that there is simply no consideration of rural hospitals purchasing storage equipment for this ultra-cold distribution.” In an interview that aired on CBS This Morning, NRHA member Tim Size spoke to the need for equitable vaccine access in rural America. He stated, “If, basically, rural is getting the message, ‘We will start with urban,’ even it is for reasonable logistical reasons, it’s bad optics. I don’t think anybody wants to give the message that rural America, rural Wisconsin is second-class.”
HHS’s Updated PRF FAQs Include ‘Win’ for NRHA Advocates
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updated their Provider Relief Fund (PRF) frequently asked
NRHA’s 32nd Annual Rural Health Policy Institute Goes Virtual
NRHA will host their 32nd Annual Rural Health Policy Institute February 9-11th, 2021, via NRHA’s virtual platform. Policy Institute is the largest rural advocacy event in the nation and provides attendees the opportunity to learn first-hand about the development and implementation of rural health care policy at the federal level. This year’s event will feature key policy makers and health care leaders from the Executive Branch and Congress, as well as a dedicated time to discuss addressing health disparities facing rural communities. Come join rural health care professionals from across the nation as they discuss the critical issues facing rural communities, and don’t miss out on your opportunity to share your voice with the new Administration and 117th Congress. You can register and find more information about the event by clicking here. NRHA’s 32nd Annual Rural Health Policy Institute is an event you will not want to miss!
NRHA Celebrates National Rural Health Day
On Thursday, November 19th, NRHA’s government affairs team joined thousands of advocates across the nation in celebrating National Rural Health Day by announcing the formation of the Rural Health Action Alliance, a coalition of the nation’s leading health care organizations representing providers and facilities that provide millions of rural Americans with high-quality, evidence-based care. Together, this coalition will seek to advance federal policies to improve rural health outcomes, including access to COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, continued expansion of telehealth technologies, and equitable resources for rural providers. For more information, view the full letter containing a roster of member organizations and contact Mason Zeagler, NRHA Government Affairs Senior Associate.
An Old School Doctor in the New Normal
By Liora Engel-Smith, North Carolina Health News
Charles Sawyer has been a fixture of medicine in Hertford County for more than half a century. He has no plans of stopping anytime soon.
Read more
Rural Hospitals Brace for Increased Coronavirus Cases
By Liz Carey
Most rural hospitals did not have large numbers of Covid-19 patients this spring and summer. The current record-breaking surge in rural areas will likely be different.
Read more
Final Recommendation Statement: Screening for High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has released a final recommendation statement on screening for high blood pressure in children and adolescents. The Task Force concluded that more research is needed to make a recommendation for or against screening. To view the recommendation, the evidence on which it is based, and a summary for clinicians, please click here. The final recommendation statement can also be found in the Nov. 10, 2020 online issue of JAMA.
Parent Handouts on COVID-19 and Oral Health
The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center (OHRC) released two new resources for parents of young children from the Office of Head Start’s National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness (NCECHW). The handouts provide clear messages with photos about healthy eating and oral hygiene practices at home and about changes to dental offices to promote the safety of staff and patients during COVID-19. The colorful handouts are available in English and Spanish.
Talking About Vaccines: Alternative Schedules
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) has updated their Talking about Vaccines: Alternative Schedules gateway page with many resources from IAC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and others. Resources are designed to help healthcare professionals explain to parents and patients why following the ACIP-recommended vaccination schedule is the best approach to preserving the health of children, adolescents, and adults. It includes authoritative documents and videos that describe the disadvantages of nonstandard schedules and the hazards of delaying vaccination. Experts explain how the human body can readily handle multiple vaccinations. To easily locate this web page from anywhere on immunize.org, go to the light blue band of tabs across the top, choose the “Talking About Vaccines” tab (far right), and then select “Alternative Schedules” from the drop-down menu or click here for the direct link.
NHSC Program Deadline Extended
The deadline to apply for the National Health Service Corps Students to Service (S2S) Loan Repayment Program has been extended through December 3, 2020. The S2S program is open to fourth-year medical and dental students and nurse practitioner students in their final year of school. Read the 2021 NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program (NHSC S2S LRP) Application and Program Guidance (PDF – 668 MB). Find out what you need to know and what to submit with your application.