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Rural Health
News by Topic: Service delivery models

May 9, 2024 - Notice of final rule and interpretation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising and amending its section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (section 504) regulations, which prohibits recipients of financial assistance from HHS from discrimination on the basis of disability in their programs and activities. This notice also summarizes and responds to public comments on the September 14, 2023, proposed rule. This rule is effective July 8, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 9, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) describing a new mandatory Medicare payment model, the Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model (IOTA Model). The IOTA Model would test whether performance-based incentive payments paid to or owed by participating kidney transplant hospitals increase access to kidney transplants for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) while preserving or enhancing the quality of care and reducing Medicare expenditures. This proposed rule also describes standard provisions for CMS Innovation Center (CMMI) models relating to beneficiary protections, cooperation in model evaluation and monitoring, audits and records retention, rights in data and intellectual property, monitoring and compliance, and more. These standard provisions would apply to any CMMI model whose first performance period begins on or after January 1, 2025, and in whole or in part to any CMMI model whose first performance period began before January 1, 2025. Comments are due within 60 days of the publication of this notice, which is scheduled for May 17, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 7, 2024 - Discusses mental healthcare access in rural Texas where 60% of counties are Mental Health Care Health Professional Shortage Areas. Describes the strain on emergency rooms and other facilities in or near these shortage areas as well as the impact on patients. Discusses the role of telehealth in increasing access to mental healthcare.
Source: The Texas Tribune
May 7, 2024 - Provides an overview of new legislation aimed at improving healthcare access, with a focus on rural and underserved areas. Details six bills addressing a range of issues including telehealth access, rural hospital stabilization, and healthcare workforce shortages.
Source: House Committee on Ways and Means
May 5, 2024 - Covers the ongoing syphilis epidemic in South Dakota and the state's efforts to intervene through increased education, screening, and prenatal care. Highlights disproportionate impacts on Indigenous populations and the launch of a mobile outreach program designed to increase testing and treatment availability in rural communities.
Source: South Dakota Searchlight
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 30, 2024 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on proposed revisions to forms related to the Universal Service Fund's Rural Health Care Program. Proposed revisions will extend some of the existing information collection requirements for the Healthcare Connect Fund and Telecom Programs, revise some of the information collection requirements for the Healthcare Connect Fund and Telecom Programs as a result of the 2023 Third Report and Order, and add a new information collection requirement for the Healthcare Connect Fund and Telecom Programs as a result of the 2023 Third Report and Order. Comments are due by July 1, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 30, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amending its medical regulations regarding Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) coverage. This rule removes the exclusion of audio-only telehealth visits. This rule also removes quantitative limitations on outpatient mental health visits and cost-sharing requirements for contraceptive services and contraceptive products approved, cleared, or granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This rule is effective May 30, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 29, 2024 - Highlights increased risk of mental health struggles and suicide among rural youth. Discusses a tech-based service delivery program in South Dakota.
Source: Public News Service
Apr 25, 2024 - Announces the expansion of a cancer care program for veterans. Program clinicians improve access to cancer care by traveling to outpatient clinics in rural and other places. Expansion of the program is expected to bring cancer care to 9,000 additional veterans.
Source: VA News