- Fact Sheet: The Biden-Harris Administration Highlights Investments in Rural America, Invites Public Nominations for Rural Innovators Initiative
- Rural Victims of Intimate-Partner Violence Need More Resources and Support, Study Finds
- A Tribe in Maine Is Using Opioid Settlement Funds on a Sweat Lodge to Treat Addiction
- Fact Sheet: USDA, HHS Announce New Actions to Reduce Impact and Spread of H5N1
- Call for Experts: Forum on Aging, Disability, and Independence
- Bill to Expand Definition of 'Village' Qualifying for Water Funds Passes Alaska House
- Child Care Workers Caught in Middle of Michigan's Broken Child Care System
- Few Options Available for Substance Abuse Treatment in the Big Bend
- In Rural Texas, ERs Are Facing a Growing Mental Health Crisis
- Ways and Means Members Put Forth Solutions to Strengthen Telehealth Access and Improve Health Care for Rural Communities
- Sage Memorial Hospital in Navajo Nation Constructs New Facility to Improve Health Care
- How the State, Tribes and Federal Government Are Working to Curb SD's Syphilis Epidemic
- Rural Children Struggle to Access Hospital Services, Say Researchers
- RPHARM Program Fulfills Need for Rural Pharmacists
- A Pilot Program in Rural Vermont Hopes to Build a Blueprint for Substance Abuse Recovery
Congressional Committee Leaders Seek Ideas on How to Improve 340B
Two retiring GOP congressional committee leaders invited 340B stakeholders to submit ideas on how Congress could improve the 340B program. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) said “changes are needed and long overdue,” and Congress and program participants “must be open to updating 340B.” Comments are due by Oct. 30. Click here for sample comments. 340B stakeholders are asked to send their comments and recommendations to 340B@help.senate.gov and 340B@mail.house.gov. Read more.
Health Centers Sue HHS Over Drug Company Denials of 340B Pricing
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) has filed suit in response to recent moves by drug manufacturers to dismantle the federal 340B drug discount program that health centers and the patients they serve count on. The suit seeks to compel the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement a long-delayed dispute resolution process that would allow health centers to act against drug companies that are violating the 340B statute and have abruptly stopped shipping discounted drugs to health centers’ contracted pharmacies. Across the country, millions of lives are at stake and health center operations and budgets face possible devastation amid an overwhelming public health pandemic. NACHC issued a news release with additional information.
Department of Health Announces Week-Two Rapid Antigen Test Card Distributions
The Wolf Administration this week began distribution of the second allotment of COVID-19 antigen test kits provided by the federal government to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified institutions in Berks, Huntingdon, Union and Westmoreland counties. Last week 70,840 tests were distributed to 55 facilities in Bradford, Centre, Lebanon, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill and Snyder counties. Counties expected to receive tests next week include Blair, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Tioga, Venango and Wyoming. On October 15, the Secretary of Health issued an Order to healthcare providers and facilities reinforcing that all antigen test results, both positive and negative, are required to be reported to the Department of Health.
Commentary: Rural Public Libraries as Telehealth Providers During Covid-19
By Craig Settles
A public library in Pottsboro, Texas, offered telehealth services to its patrons throughout the pandemic despite broadband access issues. Now, it could become a blueprint for a national rural network of libraries providing access to telehealth.
Read more
Tough Fire Season Takes Toll on Firefighters’ Mental Health
By Sophie Quinton
Firefighter unions and health experts call for more mental health support from state and federal agencies after exceptionally hard wildfire season.
Read more
‘Covid in Rural America Is a Horror Story,’ Says Head of Health Association
By Tracy Staley
Rural America faces a public-health crisis, with Covid-19 spreading quickly as the nation heads into flu season, says Alan Morgan. His interview is part of Daily Yonder Day at the Rural Assembly Everywhere virtual festival, starting Monday, October 26.
Read more
Newly Updated: Rental Housing Affordability Data Tool
The strong economic growth that followed the Great Recession did little to erase the persistent shortfall of affordable rental housing in the Third District. Even after this expansion, a substantial majority of lower-income households in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey struggled to afford their rent in 2018, with almost one-third to nearly half of these households paying over 50 percent of their monthly income toward housing costs. The newly updated data suggest that housing insecurity was widespread among lower-income renters in the Third District even prior to the coronavirus pandemic and the associated economic downturn.
Visit the newly updated Rental Housing Affordability Data Tool to explore trends in rental housing affordability and examine the composition of cost-burdened, lower-income households in your state or metropolitan area.
For more, view the updated tool.
CMS COVID-19 Office Hours Call – October
CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls – October
CMS hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency’s response to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the healthcare community and are intended to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts.
Call details are below. Conference lines are limited so we highly encourage you to join via audio webcast, either on your computer or smartphone web browser. You are welcome to share this invitation with your colleagues and professional networks. These calls are not intended for the press.
Calls recordings and transcripts are posted on the CMS podcast page at: https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Outreach/OpenDoorForums/PodcastAndTranscripts
CMS COVID-19 Office Hours Calls (twice a month on Tuesday at 5:00 – 6:00 PM Eastern)
Office Hour Calls provide an opportunity for hospitals, health systems, and providers to ask questions of agency officials regarding CMS’s temporary actions that empower local hospitals and healthcare systems to:
- Increase Hospital Capacity – CMS Hospitals Without Walls;
- Rapidly Expand the Healthcare Workforce;
- Put Patients Over Paperwork; and
- Further Promote Telehealth in Medicare
Next Office Hours:
Tuesday, October 27th at 5:00 – 6:00 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 2394789
Audio Webcast link: https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=2612
Weekly COVID-19 Care Site-Specific Calls
CMS hosts calls for certain types of organizations on an intermittent basis to provide targeted updates on the agency’s latest COVID-19 guidance. One to two leaders in the field also share best practices with their peers. There is an opportunity to ask questions of presenters if time allows.
Next Nursing Homes
Wednesday, October 28th at 4:30 – 5:00 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 5587022 Audio Webcast Link: https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=2627
For the most current information including call schedule changes, please click here
To keep up with the important work the White House Task Force is doing in response to COVID-19 click here: https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=36fa2226-6aae0b0d-36fa1319-0cc47a6d17cc-2d06c219f858d641&u=http://www.coronavirus.gov/. For information specific to CMS, please visit the Current Emergencies Website.
Finkenauer Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing National Rural Health Day
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) introduced the bipartisan 2020 National Rural Health Day resolution on Thursday to ensure National Rural Health Day is recognized by Congress this year.
National Rural Health Day was established to emphasize the importance of rural America and recognize the efforts and contributions to address the unique challenges of providing affordable, accessible health care in rural places.
National Rural Health Day is celebrated annually on the third Thursday of November, which this year is November 19.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our communities –– families all over the country are living through an incredibly difficult and worrisome time when it comes to their health,” Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. “In our rural communities, the pandemic presents even greater challenges to the rural health systems that were stressed long before the arrival of COVID-19. The 2020 National Rural Health Day resolution is a chance to honor our amazing rural health care providers and affirm Congress’ commitment to working on policy that will ensure affordable and quality health care in rural Iowa and all of rural America.”
Original cosponsors of the 2020 National Rural Health Day resolution are: Bob Latta (R-OH), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), Tom Cole (R-OK), Cindy Axne (D-IA), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Ron Kind (D-WI), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Xochitl Torres-Small (D-NM), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), TJ Cox (D-CA), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Mike Bost (R-IL), Angie Craig (D-MN), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Van Taylor (R-TX), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Don Young (R-AK), Fred Keller (R-PA), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), and Collin Peterson (D-MN).
The 2020 National Rural Health Day resolution is supported by: American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, Federation of American Hospitals, Genesis Health System, Gundersen Health System, Iowa Hospital Association, Iowa Medical Society, Iowa Rural Health Association, Marshfield Clinic Health System, MercyOne, National Association of Counties, National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, National Rural Health Association, UnityPoint Health System
Support for the 2020 National Rural Health Day resolution:
“Rural hospitals must overcome many obstacles to meet the health care needs of their communities. The COVID-19 pandemic shined a bright light on challenges facing rural hospitals and the need for additional support. These facilities are often the sole care giver in their community and face unique issues, ranging from difficult geography and dangerous weather to an aging, at risk patient population. We appreciate Rep. Finkenauer introducing this resolution to put an exclamation point on the need for more support for the vital role rural hospitals play in the health care of millions of Americans.”
— Chip Kahn, President and CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals.
“At Gundersen Health System, we know better patient connections to our providers and services removes barriers to healthcare in rural areas. Locations closer to home, new virtual care options, and services to manage patients’ care at home are all part of our system’s focus on eliminating healthcare barriers. Congresswoman Finkenauer’s resolution inspires further awareness and work on rural health care.”
— Patrice Kuennen, Administrator of Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital & Clinics (West Union, Iowa)
“Rural health care providers are an asset to the communities they serve, providing access to a broad spectrum of high quality, essential health care services every day. Iowans know the critical importance of these providers and IHA is proud to stand with them by recognizing National Rural Health Day.”
— Kirk Norris, President and CEO of the Iowa Hospital Association
“Rural Iowa faces significant and growing health access issues, which the COVID-19 pandemic has further amplified. In many corners of our state, patients must travel long distances for even basic medical care and the ongoing pandemic has forced many rural facilities to begin contemplating difficult decisions regarding the services they are able to continue to provide. We must do more to support rural practices and rural provider recruitment efforts. National Rural Health Day is an opportunity to reflect upon the challenges facing rural America and the opportunities to address them. This includes common-sense measures like expansion of the successful Conrad 30 program to aid in physician recruitment efforts, increased support for telehealth infrastructure and services, and at long last taking action to address the Geographic Practice Cost Index that arbitrarily and unfairly reduces Medicare payment rates for practices in rural communities. We thank Congresswoman Finkenauer for her continued commitment to rural healthcare and helping to bring greater attention to this important issue.”
— Brian Privett, MD, President of the Iowa Medical Society
“The Iowa Rural Health Association is pleased to support Rep. Finkenauer’s resolution in support of National Rural Health Day. It’s an opportunity every year to draw attention to the importance of rural health and those who care for residents of small towns and unincorporated areas. That’s especially important right now as access is affected by declining numbers of hospitals, clinics and health care professionals in rural America.”
— Bill Menner, Executive Director of the Iowa Rural Health Association
“The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the fact that, as a country, our rural health care system is broken, and patients are the ones who suffer as a result. Despite major challenges, every day countless rural care providers go to work committed to serving those in need. These heroes make a difference in the lives of patients and families that is immeasurable. Investing in rural health care is investing in the future of rural America. I applaud Rep. Finkenauer and her colleagues for recognizing the crucial role health care plays in the vitality of rural communities across the country. Ensuring access to high-quality health care, no matter where patients live, will help rural communities and their residents grow and thrive.”
— Dr. Susan Turney, MD, CEO of Marshfield Clinic Health System
“We thank Congresswoman Finkenauer and her staff for the continued work they have done on the issue of rural health. It is our hope that National Rural Health Day highlights the importance and innovation in rural health and we look forward to working alongside the Congresswoman to ensure rural health remains a priority in Congress throughout the year.”
— Teryl Eisinger, CEO of the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
“NRHA applauds Representative Finkenauer for leading the introduction of the Resolution Supporting National Rural Health Day. The COVID-19 public health emergency has underscored the need for a strong, stable health care system—especially in rural America. This resolution shines a light on the need for greater parity between urban and rural health care and for continued relief and support to be provided to rural America.”
— Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association
“UnityPoint Health is proud to support Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer’s resolution honoring National Rural Health Day. UnityPoint Health has a longstanding commitment to providing quality health care in rural communities where families trust us with their health care needs. In addition to our hospitals, rural health clinics and home health agencies, we also use technology to ensure all Iowans have access to visit a provider using telehealth or connect with a psychiatrist over the phone, regardless of where they live. This resolution expresses a commitment to advancing policy to improve health care accessibility and affordability in rural parts of the country, and UnityPoint Health shares that goal.”
— Cathy Simmons, Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs at UnityPoint Health
Learn More About Federal Funding and Resources for Rural Health
This is a recording of an 80-minute presentation (via Adobe Connect) by the Health Resources and Services Administration on rural-focused federal programs and resources. Presenters represent USDA’s Rural Development and Rural Utilities Service, telecommunications programming at the Universal Service Administrative Company, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and two FORHP-funded rural hospital programs.