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Rural Health
News by Topic: Access

Nov 22, 2024 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will hold a hybrid public meeting of the Advisory Committee on U.S. Outlying Areas and Freely Associated States on December 10-12, 2024. The agenda will include, among other things, a briefing on the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) efforts to assist covered Veterans, family members, caregivers, and survivors; a briefing on the Veterans Health Administration initiatives and updates; the role of the VBA regional offices; prescription drug information; travel funding; and telehealth.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 21, 2024 - Highlights a pilot program to place health coaches in 2 rural Tennessee communities to increase access to primary and preventive healthcare services. Program administrators hope it can become a model implemented statewide.
Source: UTHSC News
Nov 20, 2024 - Discusses disparities in cancer mortality between White and Hispanic residents of Arizona. Highlights efforts to increase cancer screenings in rural and border communities. Discusses barriers to healthcare including cultural disconnect, stigma, lack of trust in the healthcare system, and being uninsured.
Source: Cronkite News
Nov 20, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposing to require covered text providers, including wireless providers, to support georouting to ensure that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline may route covered 988 text messages to appropriate local crisis centers. The FCC proposes to require covered text providers to send georouting data to the 988 Lifeline to the same extent that they are required to send covered 988 text messages to the Lifeline. Comments are due by December 20, 2024, and reply comments are due by January 9, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2024 - Notice from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issuing a temporary rule to extend certain exceptions to existing DEA regulations implemented in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (COVID-19 PHE). The full set of telemedicine flexibilities regarding the prescription of controlled medications that were in place during the COVID-19 PHE as outlined in the Second Temporary Rule will remain in place through December 31, 2025. This rule is effective January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2024 - Profiles a pharmacy student at the University of North Carolina on track to practice in rural North Carolina. Highlights the Rural Pharmacy Health Certificate Program that gives students experience with rural populations through healthcare screenings and educational programming.
Source: University of North Carolina
Nov 19, 2024 - Discusses mental healthcare challenges for rural Alabama residents including affordability, transportation challenges, and limited broadband access. Highlights a program aiming to reduce mental health disparities by addressing these issues through technology.
Source: WSFA
Nov 19, 2024 - A Des Moines, Iowa area hospital is using a helicopter service to reach pregnant women in need of emergency specialized care. The program is offered statewide, particularly in areas with few or no obstetricians, in response to a shortage of maternity care in Iowa.
Source: KCRG
Nov 18, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families amending the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations to allow all Indian tribes and tribal organizations operating CCDF program to establish eligibility criteria regardless of family income. This rule is effective November 18, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 18, 2024 - Interviews rural health researcher Carrie Henning-Smith on rural healthcare access, quality of life, rural health innovation, and her research focus.
Source: University of Minnesota News and Events