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Rural Health
News by Topic: Behavioral health

Dec 6, 2024 - Describes the role physician assistants (PAs) can play in increasing access to mental healthcare, particularly for rural residents. Notes the increase in mental healthcare-trained PAs in the previous decade as well as the more diverse workforce compared to the physician workforce. Free registration may be required to view full article.
Source: Medscape Medical News
Dec 6, 2024 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeking comments on a new SAMHSA Unified Performance Reporting Tool (SUPRT). SUPRT will combine and align the existing client-level performance instrument for the SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and National Outcomes Measures (NOMs) instrument for the SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services, and create a two-component tool that will allow for a self-administered questionnaire and a grantee completion of administrative data. SAMHSA will use the data collected through SUPRT for annual reporting, grantee monitoring, and continuous improvement of its discretionary grant programs. Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 3, 2024 - Reports on new data showing that children in the poorest and most rural Colorado counties are more likely to have a parent or sibling die. Highlights factors likely contributing to this disparity. Discusses challenges with access to therapy and support services for rural children and efforts to overcome those challenges through recruiting rural behavioral healthcare workforce.
Source: The Colorado Sun
Dec 3, 2024 - Highlights the work of 3 rural Michigan community mental health agencies. Discusses challenges related to workforce, stigma, transportation, substance use, and more as well as work to overcome those challenges through outreach and partnering with other community institutions.
Source: Flint Side
Dec 2, 2024 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeking comments on a new information collection related to the SAMHSA 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and Crisis Services Program Evaluation. SAMHSA will use the information collected to conduct an evaluation of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Crisis Services, to ensure individuals in suicidal, mental health and/or substance use crisis can contact 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and are connected to crisis centers providing evidence-based care and are able to receive critical resource referral and linkage. Comments are due by January 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 27, 2024 - Notice of final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ACS) payment system for calendar year 2025. This rule also updates the requirements for the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) Program, Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Program, Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program, and Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program and finalizes updates to the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for obstetrical services. Among other things, this rule summarizes comments received in response to an information request on potential modifications to the Safety of Care measure group in the Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating methodology. This rule also finalizes exceptions to the Medicaid clinic services benefit four walls requirement for Indian Health Service and Tribal clinics, and, at state option, for behavioral health clinics and clinics located in rural areas. The provisions of this rule are effective January 1, 2025. Comments are due by December 31, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 27, 2024 - Summarizes recent research that found positive impacts from telehealth and peer support in diagnosing and curing hepatitis C for rural residents who use drugs. Discusses telehealth use following COVID-19 related increases and the value of peer support by those with lived experience.
Source: OHSU News
Nov 26, 2024 - Discusses a student-led peer support initiative to destigmatize mental health in a rural Nevada community. Highlights existing challenges in accessing mental healthcare due to workforce shortages as well as limited transportation.
Source: The Nevada Independent
Nov 22, 2024 - Announces nearly $52 million for 54 Health Resources & Services Administration-funded health centers for increasing access to primary care for people reentering the community after incarceration. Funding will address health needs including managing chronic conditions, reducing the risk of drug overdose, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, and infectious disease prevention, screening, diagnosing, and treatment.
Source: Health Resources & Services Administration
Nov 22, 2024 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) making corrections to a date listed in the November 12, 2024, final rule.
Source: Federal Register