This week, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued a final rule that makes changes to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) regulations governing the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records. The final rule includes a discussion of comments, some of which address rural issues. Read more here.
Comments Requested: Rural-Relevant Quality Measures – July 30
The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy has been partnering with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the National Quality Forum on the Measures Application Partnership (MAP) Rural Health Workgroup. The group has built upon previous work and the current report provides recommendations for rural-relevant quality measures for testing of statistical approaches to address low case-volume. The MAP Rural Health Draft Report for Comment is posted for public comment. All public commenters should use this link to submit comments through July 30, 6 PM ET.
Post-Acute Skilled Nursing Care Availability in Rural United States
This study from the Southwest Rural Health Research Center finds that portions of rural America are possibly skilled nursing deserts, thus lacking the physical presence of facilities to provide post-acute skilled nursing care. Read more here.
Development of a National Childhood Obesogenic Environment Index in the United States: Differences by Region and Rurality
Researchers at the Rural and Minority Health Research Center identified community-level variables associated with healthy eating and physical activity for youth and ranked all counties to develop a childhood obesogenic environment index (COEI). The COEI can be applied to benchmark obesogenic environments and identify geographic disparities and intervention targets. Future research can examine associations with obesity and other health outcomes. Find more information here.
The Unique Impact of COVID-19 on Older Adults in Rural Areas
The University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center identifies pre-existing rural/urban inequities related to health care capacity, economic security, access to technology, and social needs that amount to heightened risk of illness and isolation for many older adults in rural areas. Read more here.
AJPH Examines the Rural-Urban Gap in Health and Social Services
In a special issue released the week of July 16, the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) features a collection of 15 new studies demonstrating the connection between health and social services. The publication makes the case that these cross-sector connections have been slower to develop in rural communities than in urban. Read more here.
USPSTF Requesting Comment on Plan for COPD – July 29
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has posted a draft research plan on screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Find more information here.
Telehealth Information for Patients Now Available in Spanish
The recently-created website for telehealth launched by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services in April now provides information in Spanish to help patients understand what types of care are available, how to prepare for a telehealth visit, and tips on finding telehealth options. Information in Spanish that’s geared toward providers will be available in the future. Find the website here.
COVID Cases Skyrocketing Among Communities of Color
Axios: Counties populated by larger numbers of people of color tend to have more coronavirus cases than those with higher shares of white people. As the outbreak worsens throughout the Southern and Western parts of the country, caseloads are growing fastest in counties with large communities of color. People of color have seen disproportionate rates of infection, hospitalization and death throughout the pandemic. These inequities stem from pre-existing racial disparities throughout society and have been exacerbated by the U.S. coronavirus response. Black and Hispanic or Latino communities have less access to diagnostic testing, and people of color are also more likely to be essential workers.
DHS Announces MCOs Selected for the HealthChoices Program
The Department of Human Services (DHS) announced the managed care organization (MCO) applicants selected through a Request for Applications (RFA) for Pennsylvania’s HealthChoices program. DHS is unable to move forward with the selections, however, due to the pendency of five protests filed by four MCOs. Applicants were selected through a competitive procurement that evaluated applicants’ soundness of approach, personnel qualifications and staffing, and prior experience and performance. More information about evaluation criteria can be found in the RFA. Applicants selected were the top scoring applicants for their zone. Selected applicants for each service zone are as follows:
- Southeast: Geisinger Health Plan, Health Partners Plans, UnitedHealthCare, UPMC for You, and Vista Health Plan (Keystone First)
- Lehigh/Capital: Gateway Health, Geisinger Health Plan, Health Partners Plans, UPMC for You, and Vista Health Plan (AmeriHealth Caritas)
- Northeast: Geisinger Health Plan, Health Partners Plans, UPMC for You, and Vista Health Plan (AmeriHealth Caritas)
- Northwest: Geisinger Health Plan, Health Partners Plans, UPMC for You, and Vista Health Plan (AmeriHealth Caritas)
- Southwest: Gateway Health, Geisinger Health Plan, Health Partners Plans, UPMC for You, and Vista Health Plan (AmeriHealth Caritas).
For more information on the HealthChoices procurement and requirements of the RFA, view the RFA here.