Rural Health
News by Topic: Access
Nov 13, 2024 - Highlights the work of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to address healthcare access issues for rural veterans in Tennessee and southern Kentucky. Discusses initiatives to improve mental and physical healthcare access, care coordination, and telehealth.
Source: VA Tennessee Valley Health Care Stories
VA: Telehealth Grant Program
Federal Register
Nov 13, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposing amending its regulations implement a new authority to establish a telehealth grant program. This new authority requires VA to enter into agreements, and expand existing agreements, for the expansion of VA telehealth capabilities and provision of telehealth services by establishing telehealth access stations in rural, highly rural, or medically underserved areas, to the extent practicable. This notice also proposes to amend the copayment regulation by exempting all telehealth services from the copayment requirement. Comments are due by January 13, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 12, 2024 - Highlights an initiative of the Central Alabama VA to increase access to eye care services for rural veterans. Describes the use of a telehealth platform, in combination with mobile clinic services, to provide central Alabama veterans with eye exams, glaucoma screenings, and follow-up care.
Source: VA News
FCC: Implementation of the National Suicide Hotline Act of 2018
Federal Register
Nov 12, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announcing the adoption of a Third Report and Order that requires wireless providers to implement a georouting solution for calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to facilitate access to critical local intervention services. The Third Report and Order also revises the Commission's existing 988 voice and texting rules to permit routing to the 988 Lifeline without translation to a toll-free access number, giving wireless providers flexibility in implementing georouting solutions. This rule is effective December 12, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 11, 2024 - Discusses the ongoing impact of Hurricane Helene for a rural North Carolina county that lost its only dental clinic for low-income patients in the storm. Discusses barriers to recruiting more dental workforce and efforts to maintain some services in a repurposed mobile van.
Source: North Carolina Health News
Nov 11, 2024 - Announces a new proposal from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to eliminate copayments for telehealth services and create a grant program to fund telehealth in non-VA facilities in rural and other underserved locations. The goal of the 2 initiatives is to reduce healthcare costs and increase access to care. Also discusses other VA efforts to expand access to healthcare.
Source: VA News
Nov 7, 2024 - Discusses a new training program to address mental health workforce shortages in Vermont. The program will place mental health workers in rural schools and offer incentives for students that continue working at their placement beyond graduation.
Source: Vermont Public
Nov 6, 2024 - Summarizes recent conversations at a panel discussion covering health literacy in rural communities. Topics covered include access to healthcare, provider-patient communication, and community engagement. Offers action steps for providers to improve health literacy in rural communities.
Source: The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Nov 6, 2024 - Discusses access to Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare challenges for rural veterans, noting broadband access, workforce shortages, transportation issues, and caregiving load as contributing to the challenges.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Nov 5, 2024 - Summarizes recent research finding rural disparities for students in access to care for treating asthma. The study found that access to school-based health centers improved access to care and outcomes for rural students.
Source: Physician's Weekly