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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Emergency preparedness and response

Jun 27, 2024 - Approximately 12% of people in Texas live in counties without a hazard mitigation plan, many of which are rural. Communities lacking plans are ineligible for federal disaster preparation funding, further widening the gap in infrastructure development between urban and rural communities.
Source: The Texas Tribune
Jun 21, 2024 - Highlights the recovery challenges in rural New Mexico for those displaced by recent wildfires. Notes that limited cellular and internet service in particular has hampered efforts.
Source: Source NM
Jun 17, 2024 - Announces the conclusion of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Program, which launched in March to address payment disruptions resulting from the Change Healthcare cyberattack. Notes that over $2.55 billion has been distributed to Part A providers as a result of the program, which will conclude on July 12.
Source: Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Jun 10, 2024 - Highlights federal efforts to improve cybersecurity in healthcare. Discusses unique impacts on rural hospitals and notes private sector partnerships to support cybersecurity resiliency in those facilities.
Source: The White House
May 31, 2024 - Details federal efforts to respond to the H5N1 outbreak in dairy cattle and mitigate risks to farmworkers. Highlights initiatives related to PPE distribution, safety guidance, treatment, education, and testing.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
May 14, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service (RHS) is accepting applications under the Puerto Rico Rural Partners Network (RPN) Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program to provide authorized activities in Puerto Rico areas affected by a disaster declared by the President or the Secretary of Agriculture. RCDI provides funding for nonprofit housing and community development intermediary organizations to support housing, community facilities, and community and economic development projects in rural areas. Electronic applications are due by June 28, 2024, and paper applications must be received by July 3, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 7, 2024 - Announces the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, a bipartisan proposal to require AM radio in vehicles and to study alternative communication systems that might replace AM radio. Notes the importance of AM radio for rural communities, particularly for emergency alerts and weather updates.
Source: Office of Senator Cynthia Lummis
May 6, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is allowing an additional 30 days for comment on the April 4, 2024, proposed rule titled "Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (CIRCIA) Reporting Requirements." DHS is seeking comments on the practical and policy issues related to the implementation of regulations regarding covered cyber incident and ransom payment reporting requirements for covered entities, as required by the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (CIRCIA). Comments are now due July 3, 2024.
Source: Federal Register