Where available, webinar recordings, PowerPoint slides, and transcripts for 2020 National Rural Health Day programming can now be accessed on the National Rural Health Day website. All links are free and accessible to the public. Event topics range from telehealth and COVID-19 testing to social determinants of health and substance use disorder.  Participating organizations included HHS entities CDC, CMS, HRSA, NIH, the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services, the National Association of Rural Health Clinics, and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health. Find more information here.

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.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will recognize the annual event with online activities on Thursday, November 19. HRSA Administrator Tom Engels will kick off the day, along with a welcome from Jeff Colyer, Chair of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services. HRSA will host a variety of events throughout the week which are open to the public, including a virtual rural job fair and webinars focused on the rural response to COVID-19, social determinants of health, and telehealth.