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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Legislation and regulations

Dec 6, 2024 - Announces the start of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Milk Testing Strategy in response to the spread of avian influenza in dairy cattle. Describes the implementation of a nationwide testing system to identify infected herds and protect the health of farmers, farmworkers, and the public. Notes the issuance of a new Federal Order and outlines compliance requirements for dairy industry stakeholders.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Dec 2, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) that would codify changes made by the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019 (MSIAA), which added exclusion authorities related to misclassification and false information about outpatient drugs. This proposed rule would also update and clarify OIG's procedures for excluding individuals and entities from participation in the federal healthcare programs, including the factors that will be considered in determining the length of exclusions, the provisions governing notices of exclusions, and certain provisions related to reinstatement into the programs. Comments are due by January 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 29, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Environmental Protection Agency that implements revisions to the Guideline on Air Quality Models to include enhancements to the formulation and application of the near-field dispersion modeling system, AERMOD, and updates recommendations for developing appropriate background concentration for cumulative impact analyses. Discusses appropriate classification for rural and urban areas.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 29, 2024 - Notice from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) extending the comment period on the August 30, 2024, proposed rule until January 14, 2025. The rule establishes a heat standard for all indoor and outdoor work in workplaces where OSHA has jurisdiction. A virtual hearing is scheduled for June 16, 2025 to discuss the proposed rule.
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 25, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announcing the approval of an information collection related to the April 10, 2024, final rule that adopted a Report and Order amending existing rules and requirements governing the management and administration of the Universal Service Fund (USF) high-cost program. Amendments to sections 36.4 (amendatory instruction 2), 54.314 (amendatory instruction 11), and the removal and reservation of 54.1306 (amendatory instruction 22) are effective November 25, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
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
Nov 22, 2024 - Notice from the Indian Health Service (IHS) announcing the decision to expand the geographic boundaries of the Purchased/Referred Care Delivery Area (PRCDA) for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana (Pokagon Band) to include the counties of Kalamazoo, Kent, and Ottawa in Michigan. The expanded boundaries will include the current PRCDA for the Pokagon Band, which includes Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, Kent, Ottawa, and Van Buren counties in Michigan, and Elkhart, Kosciusko, La Porte, Marshall, St. Joseph, and Starke counties in Indiana. This expansion is effective November 22, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 21, 2024 - Announces proposed legislation to reauthorize the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program, which funds Critical Access Hospitals.
Source: Office of Congresswoman Terri Sewell
Nov 20, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposing to require covered text providers, including wireless providers, to support georouting to ensure that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline may route covered 988 text messages to appropriate local crisis centers. The FCC proposes to require covered text providers to send georouting data to the 988 Lifeline to the same extent that they are required to send covered 988 text messages to the Lifeline. Comments are due by December 20, 2024, and reply comments are due by January 9, 2025.
Source: Federal Register