On November 20, 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that 737,352 people signed up for federal exchange plans during the third week of the Affordable Care Act’s current open enrollment period, bringing total federal exchange plan signups to about 1.7 million since the open enrollment period launched Nov. 1. Total signups so far this open enrollment period are down 13% when compared with the same point in last year’s open enrollment period. (Source: Modern Healthcare, 11/20

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on its Nursing Home Compare website has added a new icon—a red circle with a white stop hand in the center—to ratings for 760 facilities, indicating that the facilities have been cited for an incident of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Consumer advocates have applauded the move, but some in the nursing home industry say the alerts are misleading. (Source: Wall Street Journal, 11/19)

Hospitals and health insurers are criticizing new rules the Trump administration released last week that aim to increase price transparency in the U.S. health system. Four major hospital groups have threatened to file a lawsuit challenging the regulations. (Source: Axios‘ “Vitals,” 11/19)

Millennials are experiencing chronic health issues at greater rates than previous generations, according to a report released this month by Moody’s and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The report noted that higher rates of chronic conditions could have a significant effect on millennials’ economic potential and health spending in the future. (Source: Bloomberg, 11/6)

Every year, the third Thursday of November is designated as National Rural Health Day (NRHD). What began as an annual, single day of recognition has grown to be a national conversation and movement!

Multiple events are happening in every state across the country throughout the week and on November 21. the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health has made it easy to participate by offering free communication tools, an idea guide, and an extensive listing of and registration for activities around the country – all available on PowerofRural.org!

Thanks again for all you do to help us transform this moment into a movement!

During the week of November 18, 2019, the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) will partner with the Federation of American Hospitals to celebrate National Rural Hospital Week (November 18-22).  NRHA will share messages on the importance of rural hospitals and ways rural providers do more with less together via a variety of media platforms: including an Op-Ed in ModernHealthcare, an episode of the Hospitals in Focus podcast, social media shares, and more!  NRHA will also partner with the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) to promote National Rural Health Day (November 21) and will share stories and factoids that highlight the #PowerofRural.  Join NRHA as they draw attention to the challenges in rural America and celebrate the ways that rural health care is special.

A new government study shows that rural Americans die more often from potentially preventable causes than their urban counterparts. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) studied preventable diseases from cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease in rural areas and compared the outcomes with city areas.  The results saw that between 2010 and 2017, rural counties saw a widening disparity in preventable deaths from cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease, compared to city areas. Researchers found a “persistent and striking gap between rural and urban Americans for this (cancer) and other leading causes of death.”

Harvard Business Review recently released its annual ranking of the 100 “Best-Performing CEOs in the World,” and the list includes nine CEOs in the health care industry. Health care CEOs who made the list lead companies in the pharmaceutical, life sciences, and other health-related sectors. (Source: Harvard Business Review, November-December 2019)