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Rural Health
News by Topic: Access

Jan 17, 2025 - Notice of final rule from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) authorizing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare practitioners acting within the scope of their VA employment to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine to a VA patient with whom they have not conducted an in-person medical evaluation. VA practitioners can prescribe controlled substances to VA patients if another VA practitioner has previously conducted an in-person medical evaluation of the VA patient at any time, subject to certain conditions. This final rule is effective February 18, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 17, 2025 - Notice of final rule from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) amending their regulations to increase access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorders (OUD) through a telemedicine encounter. This rule expands the circumstances under which individual providers are authorized to prescribe buprenorphine for OUD via telemedicine, including an audio-only telemedicine encounter. This final rule is effective February 18, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 17, 2025 - Notice of proposed rulemaking from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proposing regulatory changes aimed at expanding patient access to controlled substance medications via telemedicine while mitigating the risks of diversion associated with such expansion. Proposed changes would establish a Special Registration framework and authorize three types of Special Registration that would allow more comprehensive prescribing, including prescribing of Schedule II and narcotic and non-narcotic controlled substances in limited circumstances, by properly registered physicians and mid-level practitioners and dispensing by online telemedicine platforms that constitute covered online telemedicine platforms. Comments are due by March 18, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 17, 2025 - Interviews a University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh nursing student about her experience with telehealth education as part of the nursing school curriculum. The goal of the program is to train the workforce and in turn increase access to healthcare, particularly in rural communities.
Source: UW Oshkosh Today
Jan 15, 2025 - Describes current and projected physician workforce shortages in Minnesota. Notes that shortages are most acute in rural areas and in key fields including pediatrics, family medicine, and obstetrics. Discusses the impact of shortages on healthcare access and incentives to recruit new physicians.
Source: CBS News, WCCO News
Jan 14, 2025 - Announces new federal funding to extend open hours for Federally Qualified Health Centers. Notes the benefit for rural and other underserved communities in expanding access to care.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Jan 13, 2025 - Announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service of the annual adjustments to reimbursement rates for the Summer Food Service Program. The rates are effective January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 13, 2025 - Announces a new mobile clinic bringing primary care services to rural Nevada. The new mobile unit expands on an existing mobile healthcare program offering mammography services.
Source: 2 News Nevada
Jan 13, 2025 - Highlights a new report on mental healthcare awareness among and access for veterans in New York. Discusses reductions in stigma, rural community focused networks, rural culture, and telehealth.
Source: North Country Public Radio
Jan 9, 2025 - Discusses stigma and the gaps in support for people who are both homeless and drug users in a rural Missouri community.
Source: Public News Service