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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare facilities

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
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 - 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 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of receipt of an application from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for Ambulatory Surgical Centers that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Comments are due by July 29, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 25, 2024 - Announcement from the USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Utilities Service of guarantee fee rates, guarantee percent for guaranteed loans, the periodic retention fee, and fees for the issuance of the loan note guarantee prior to construction completion for FY 2025 for the following loans programs: 1) Community Facilities, 2) Water and Waste Disposal (WWD), 3) Business and Industry, and 4) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). These fees are effective on October 1, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 24, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical and typographical corrections to the May 10, 2024, final rule. The effective date of the Minimum Staffing final rule is June 21, 2024. This notice is effective June 21, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 23, 2024 - Highlights the impacts of a tele-ICU program connecting patients and providers at Whitfield Regional Hospital in rural west Alabama to providers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Describes how the program has reduced the need to transport patients out of the community for care, which can strain rural families and complicate follow-up care.
Source: AL.com
Jun 19, 2024 - Provides overview of the Dual Track Rural Hospital Support Program, administered by the Georgia State Office of Rural Health. Notes that the program has allocated a total of $6 million to 13 hospitals to fund either direct hospital support or graduate medical education programs.
Source: The Center Square
Jun 18, 2024 - Outlines the role of Community Health Centers in expanding access to women's healthcare services in rural and other underserved areas of Tennessee. Notes that health centers offer services regardless of insurance status or the patient's ability to pay. Describes the services offered by two community health centers, including prenatal care, midwifery, delivery, and social services.
Source: Public News Service
Jun 14, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "ASC Forms for Medicare Program Certification." Comments are due by August 13, 2024.
Source: Federal Register