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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Legislation and regulations

May 24, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of receipt of an application from The Joint Commission for re-approval as an accreditation organization for clinical laboratories under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) program for several specialty and subspecialty laboratories. CMS has re-approved The Joint Commission as an accreditation organization under CLIA and grants deeming authority for 6 years through May 24, 2030.
Source: Federal Register
May 24, 2024 - Notice of direct final rule from the Department of Defense Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD(HA)) removing certain temporary regulation changes put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that were automatically terminated by the end of the President's national emergency and the associated Health and Human Services (HHS) Public Health Emergency (PHE). Temporary provisions being removed by this rule include a waiver of the requirement for a three-day prior hospital stay before admission to a skilled nursing facility; waiver of certain acute care hospital requirements for temporary hospitals and freestanding ambulatory surgery centers; a waiver of certain interstate and international licensing requirements for individual professional providers; and more. If adverse comments are received, DOD will withdraw this rule and issue a proposed rule. Otherwise, this rule is effective on August 2, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
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 - 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 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopting a Declaratory Ruling, Report and Order, Order, and Order on Reconsideration that reestablishes the FCC's authority over broadband internet access service (BIAS). Among other things, this rule reinstates the telecommunications service classification of BIAS under Title II of the Communications Act, which will enhance the FCC's ability to safeguard national security, advance public safety, protect consumers, and facilitate broadband deployment. This final rule is effective July 22, 2024, except for amendatory instruction 7, which is delayed indefinitely.
Source: Federal Register
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
May 17, 2024 - The Food and Drug Administration has revoked Emergency Use Authorizations issued to Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., and Fast Track Diagnostics Luxembourg S.รก.r.l. (A Siemens Healthineers Company) related to COVID-19 detection and diagnosis tests.
Source: Federal Register
May 16, 2024 - The Senate Finance Committee heard from hospital leaders and healthcare experts, with the goal of finding ways to help rural hospitals find funding to stay open. Senator Ron Wyden and others said the issue is complicated and requires a multi-pronged approach. Discussion included the need for maternity care in rural hospitals.
Source: Oregon Capital Chronicle
May 15, 2024 - Senators Jerry Moran of Kansas and Tina Smith of Minnesota introduced the Rural Emergency Hospital Improvement Act, which would expand access to federal resources for rural hospitals. The legislation would increase opportunities for Critical Access Hospitals and rural hospitals to convert to Rural Emergency Hospital status.
Source: Office of Senator Jerry Moran
May 10, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implementing improvements to increase transparency and accountability, standardize data and monitoring, and create opportunities for States to promote active beneficiary engagement in their Medicaid programs, with the goal of improving access to care. These regulations are effective July 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register