Rural Health
News by Topic: Access
May 14, 2024 - A study conducted by the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center found that rural victims of intimate-partner violence face barriers and resource limitations that could affect their health and well-being. Results were based on interviews with representatives of 15 state and national advocacy organizations.
Source: Daily Yonder
CMS: Medicaid Program; Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services
Federal Register
May 10, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implementing improvements to increase transparency and accountability, standardize data and monitoring, and create opportunities for States to promote active beneficiary engagement in their Medicaid programs, with the goal of improving access to care. These regulations are effective July 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Medicaid Program; Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Managed Care Access, Finance, and Quality
Federal Register
May 10, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) advancing CMS' efforts to improve access to care, quality and health outcomes, and better address health equity issues for Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) managed care enrollees. This rule specifically addresses standards for timely access to care and States' monitoring and enforcement efforts, reduces burden for some State directed payments and certain quality reporting requirements, adds new standards that will apply when States use in lieu of services and settings (ILOSs) to promote effective utilization and specify the scope and nature of ILOS, specifies medical loss ratio (MLR) requirements, and establishes a quality rating system for Medicaid and CHIP managed care plans. These regulations are effective July 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 10, 2024 - Describes a Northern Arizona University project to study persistent disparities in autism services for children from underserved communities. The study is funded by a $2.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Source: Cronkite News
HHS: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance
Federal Register
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 8, 2024 - Describes program aimed at increasing access to clinical trials for rural people with ALS. Notes higher rates of ALS in the Midwest and unique barriers faced by rural patients.
Source: KBIA
May 8, 2024 - Provides overview of childcare shortages across Michigan and highlights the experiences of rural child care providers. Notes that the most severe shortages are concentrated in rural northern Michigan. Examines challenges related to the current public subsidy system and ongoing workforce shortages.
Source: Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan
May 8, 2024 - Explores complex barriers to substance abuse treatment for residents of rural west Texas. Discusses challenges faced by law enforcement and the court system due to a shortage of local recovery resources.
Source: The Big Bend Sentinel
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 - Highlights the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy's Rural Health Certificate program, which partners with rural pharmacies and prepares students to serve the unique needs of rural areas. Notes the heightened importance of rural pharmacists, who may be more accessible than other health professionals in rural areas.
Source: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center