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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

May 23, 2024 - A proposed federal bill would add veterinary services to the duties of the Indian Health Service. Discusses the public health risks of rabies and other zoonotic diseases in rural Alaska where veterinary care is often limited.
Source: Alaska Beacon
May 23, 2024 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Interdepartmental Substance Use Disorders Coordinating Committee (ISUDCC) on June 10, 2024, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The ISUDCC agenda will focus on the ISUDCC's recommendations to HHS on how the Federal Government can further integrate and coordinate harm reduction approaches and strategies across the continuum of prevention, treatment, and recovery policies, programs, and practices. Agenda items will also include presentations on the recently released harm reduction framework, the Naloxone Saturation Academies, and SAMHSA's Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit. Information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the SAMHSA website.
Source: Federal Register
May 23, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amending its medical regulations to conform with section 101 of the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement (Cleland-Dole) Act of 2022, which expanded the provision of hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to World War II (WWII) veterans. The VA is also amending its medical regulations to remove existing references to Mexican border period and World War I (WWI) veterans since there are no longer any living veterans of these eras. This rule is effective May 23, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 22, 2024 - The National Advisory Council (NAC) for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will hold a virtual public meeting on June 28-29, 2024. Among other things, agenda items include an update by the AHRQ director, a conversation on the vision for health services research, an update on the Age-Friendly Healthcare Systems Strategic Plan, and discussion on priority populations and maternal health. Information on how to access the meeting and other updates will be posted on the NAC website.
Source: Federal Register
May 22, 2024 - The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking scientific information submissions to inform its review on Management of Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Youth. Includes background information and key questions related to the review. The full research protocol is available for review on the AHRQ website. Submissions are due by June 21, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 22, 2024 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking comment on an information collection request titled "National Survey of Organ Donation Attitudes and Practices, OMB No. 0915-0290—Revision." The information collected will facilitate appropriate tailoring and targeting of donation outreach messages and strategies, provide an overall assessment of the impact of previous outreach messages and strategies, and inform the development of policy related to organ donation and transplantation. Comments are due by June 21, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 22, 2024 - A new cancer treatment clinic has opened in West Virginia. The clinic will serve 10 counties in the region and aims to reduce the travel previously required to access cancer care.
Source: WVNS
May 21, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announcing modifications to the organizational structure of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of Population Affairs (OPA). OPA is responsible for implementing and administering the Title X family planning program, managing the Office of Adolescent Health, and implementing and administering the Teen Pregnancy Prevention program and other adolescent health activities. The new organizational structure is effective May 14, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 21, 2024 - Highlights a Tennessee Critical Access Hospital's strategies for remaining open despite national trends toward closure. Discusses reimbursement, workforce, community vitality, and swing beds. Caption available in video player.
Source: WVLT 8
May 20, 2024 - Discusses the mental health wellness for Georgia healthcare workers following a new law ensuring privacy for healthcare workers participating in an employer-provider wellness program. Notes that maintaining the healthcare workforce is vital for rural communities.
Source: Georgia Public Broadcasting, PBS, NPR