Rural Health
News by Topic: Federally Qualified Health Centers
May 1, 2024 - Details legislation introduced by a group of U.S. Representatives which aims to indefinitely extend reimbursement of telehealth services provided by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Discusses impacts of telehealth services on rural patients and providers.
Source: The Center Square
Apr 26, 2024 - Describes the changes to substance use disorder (SUD) confidentiality regulations under 42 CFR Part 2 and the impact of the rule change on rural healthcare providers. Discusses services offered by Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers.
Source: National Rural Health Association
In Preparation for Rising Temperatures, Health Care Providers Access New Tools to Monitor Heat Risks
Apr 26, 2024 - Highlights 2 tools from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to track heat and air quality data. Discusses potential uses of the tools for Community Health Centers and outreach to farm workers.
Source: Georgia Public Broadcasting, PBS, NPR
Apr 23, 2024 - Discusses an increase in dental deserts, particularly in rural communities due to workforce shortages and limited Medicaid reimbursements for dental care. Highlights a trend in Federally Qualified Health Centers to integrate dental care into primary care.
Source: The Week
Apr 11, 2024 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) seeks comments on a draft Policy Information Notice (PIN) that proposes program policy guidance for health centers and look-alikes under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. This draft PIN aims to clarify the circumstances under which health centers may provide certain health services as part of the Health Center Program scope of project to justice-involved individuals who are expected to be or scheduled for release from a carceral setting and re-enter the community within 90 days. Comments are due by June 14, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Federal Register
Mar 28, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Conditions for Certification for Rural Health Clinics and Conditions for Coverage for Federally Qualified Health Centers in 42 CFR 49 and 2) Establishment of Qualified Health Plans and American Health Benefit Exchanges. Comments are due by May 28, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 25, 2024 - Summarizes recent research finding that female patients at rural Community Health Centers are more likely to be behind on cervical cancer screenings than patients in urban community health centers. Discusses factors associated with the disparity including English proficiency, income levels, employment, and primary care physician access. Notes that the disparity grew during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Medical Xpress
Mar 21, 2024 - A charitable donation to a community health center system will increase access to ultrasound technology in Montana and Wyoming as well as train healthcare workforce on new sonography technology. Discusses workforce shortages and the impact of new technology on health outcomes in rural and frontier areas.
Source: Cowboy State Daily
Mar 19, 2024 - A partnership between a health system and Community Health Center in Virginia will distribute colorectal cancer screening test kits to patients that are primarily rural and uninsured. Half of their patients are not up-to-date on colorectal cancer screening.
Source: CBS19 News
Mar 14, 2024 - Funding for rural Federally Qualified Health Centers in Tennessee and across the South has been awarded for installing solar panels and battery systems. The mini grid systems will allow the facilities to continue offering critical services during power outages.
Source: WPLN, NPR