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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Nov 11, 2024 - Announces a new proposal from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to eliminate copayments for telehealth services and create a grant program to fund telehealth in non-VA facilities in rural and other underserved locations. The goal of the 2 initiatives is to reduce healthcare costs and increase access to care. Also discusses other VA efforts to expand access to healthcare.
Source: VA News
Nov 8, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Reform of Long-Term Care Facilities Requirements for Respiratory Illness Reporting; 2) Applications for Part C Medicare Advantage, 1876 Cost Plans, and Employer Group Waiver Plans to Provide Part C Benefits; and 3) the PACE Organization Application Process in 42 CFR part 460. Comments are due by December 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 8, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing the establishment of the CMS Health Equity Advisory Committee (HEAC) to advise and make recommendations to CMS on the identification and resolution of systemic barriers to accessing CMS programs that hinder the quality of care for beneficiaries and consumers. The Committee will focus on health disparities in underserved communities, which are populations sharing a particular characteristic or geography, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life. CMS is also requesting nominations for membership on the HEAC. Nominations are due by December 12, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 7, 2024 - Quarterly listing of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) manual instructions, substantive and interpretive regulations, and Federal Register notices published from July through September 2024, including contact information for general questions or additional information about specific sections.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 7, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the home health payment rates for calendar year (CY) 2025. This rule also finalizes changes to the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) requirements and provides an update on potential approaches for integrating health equity in the Expanded Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model. Among other things, this rule also finalizes a new standard for acceptance to service policy in the home health conditions of participation (CoPs) and provides updates to provider and supplier enrollment requirements and changes to the long-term care reporting requirements for acute respiratory illnesses, among other things. These regulations are effective January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 6, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Assumption of Responsibilities and Supporting Regulations; and 2) CMS Plan Benefit Package (PBP) and Formulary CY 2026. Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 6, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "HHS 42 CFR subpart B; Sterilization of Persons in Federally Assisted Family Planning Projects." This consent form solicits information to assure voluntary and informed consent to persons undergoing sterilization in health services programs supported by federal financial assistance administered by the United States Public Health Service (PHS). Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 6, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will hold a public meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) on December 11-12, 2024. The meeting will include panels the history of the civil rights movement in the South and how it impacts HIV disparities today; the intersection of HIV, stigma, and social determinants of health; the epidemiology of HIV in Alabama; and local solutions for advancing health justice and addressing HIV disparities. The full agenda will be posted on the PACHA website prior to the meeting. To provide public comment, pre-registration is required by December 4, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 5, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Census Bureau seeking comments on the extension of forms related to the American Community Survey (ACS) and Puerto Rico Community Survey. Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 5, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) proposing amending the current regulation for the Multifamily Housing (MFH) Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP) to codify language within the GRRHP regulation to clarify that a separate deed restriction must be recorded. Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register