Rural Health
News by Topic: Health workforce
Jul 2, 2024 - A policy brief from the National Rural Health Association notes that cyberattacks at healthcare facilities have increased more than 125% since 2023. Rural hospitals typically have an older IT infrastructure and inadequate IT staffing, which makes them particularly vulnerable. Microsoft and Google are offering free or discounted services to rural hospitals to help them prevent cyberattacks.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Jul 1, 2024 - Announces funding to support 42 programs aimed at improving care for older Americans, including people experiencing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The initiative integrates geriatric training into primary care and also provides families and caregivers of older adults with the knowledge and skills to help them support their loved ones.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
CMS: 21st Century Cures Act: Establishment of Disincentives for Health Care Providers That Have Committed Information Blocking
Federal Register
Jul 1, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) implementing the provision of the 21st Century Cures Act specifying that a healthcare provider determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General to have committed information blocking shall be referred to the appropriate agency to be subject to appropriate disincentives. This rule also establishes disincentives for certain healthcare providers that have been determined to have committed information blocking. This rule is effective July 31, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
HRSA: Lists of Designated Primary Medical Care, Mental Health, and Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas
Federal Register
Jul 1, 2024 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces the availability of the complete lists of all geographic areas, population groups, and facilities designated as primary care, mental health, and/or dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). HPSA designations that are currently proposed for withdrawal will remain in this status until they are re-evaluated in preparation for the publication of the HPSA Federal Register notice on or before November 1, 2024. Lists are available on the shortage areas topic page on data.hrsa.gov and are current as of April 15, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 28, 2024 - Explores the Three Sisters Rural Track Program, which is a three-year family medicine program serving Central Oregon. Details the program's efforts to locate graduates from Oregon Health & Science University into residency positions at rural hospitals in Central Oregon with the aim of increasing rural physician retention.
Source: MyCentralOregon.com
Jun 28, 2024 - Highlights how University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) graduates are filling gaps in the rural healthcare workforce throughout NC. Discusses scholarship programs for low-income students and the utilization of programs like the AmeriCorps MedServe fellowship.
Source: UNC Greensboro
Jun 28, 2024 - Washington Senator Maria Cantwell cosponsored legislation aiming to increase rural hospitals' reimbursements through Medicaid, in order to help keep maternity wards open in rural Washington communities. The legislation would give rural hospitals and hospitals with a high percentage of births among Medicaid patients a 150% Medicaid reimbursement rate.
Source: Northwest Public Broadcasting
Jun 27, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the home health payment rates for calendar year (CY) 2025. This rule also proposes changes to the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) requirements; provides an update on potential approaches for integrating health equity in the Expanded Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model; proposes a new standard for acceptance to service policy in the home health conditions of participation (CoPs); proposes rebasing and revising the home health market basket; and proposes updates to provider and supplier enrollment requirements and changes to the long-term care reporting requirements for acute respiratory illnesses, among other things. Also includes requests for information seeking input on permitting rehabilitative therapists to conduct the initial and comprehensive assessment and the factors that may influence the patient referral and intake processes. Comments are due by August 26, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 26, 2024 - Highlights efforts by the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta to expand access to doula services for Black women in rural Georgia. Describes doula services including education, health system navigation, emotional support, and resource referrals. Discusses funding challenges and efforts to make doula services reimbursable by Medicaid in Georgia.
Source: WABE
Jun 24, 2024 - Provides overview of an Oklahoma State University program
that uses a hub-and-spoke model to offer sports medicine
continuing education to trainers and providers in rural and
underserved communities. Notes that 20 sessions were
offered throughout the first year of the program on a wide
range of topics including concussions, mental health, and
joint dislocation.
Source: Oklahoma State University