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Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Jun 18, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposing amending its regulations governing the VA Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP). Changes include implementing the mandates of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which expands the number of scholarships available to those who are pursuing degrees or training in mental health programs. This rule is effective July 18, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 17, 2024 - Announces the conclusion of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Program, which launched in March to address payment disruptions resulting from the Change Healthcare cyberattack. Notes that over $2.55 billion has been distributed to Part A providers as a result of the program, which will conclude on July 12.
Source: Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Jun 17, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) regulations to implement changes related to required standards for electronic prescribing and adoption of health information technology (IT) standards for Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) use. Among other things, CMS will require Part D sponsors, prescribers, and dispensers of covered Part D drugs for eligible individuals to comply with standards CMS has either adopted directly or is requiring by cross-referencing ONC standards for electronically transmitting prescriptions and prescription-related information. These regulations are effective July 17, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
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
Jun 14, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Establishment of Qualified Health Plans and American Health Benefit Exchanges; and 2) Disclosure Requirement for the In-Office Ancillary Services Exception. Comments are due by July 15, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 14, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announcing three, two-part virtual public listening sessions to allow interested persons an opportunity to learn about and provide comments on the May 29, 2024, proposed rule titled "HOME Investment Partnerships Program: Program Updates and Streamlining." The first part of each virtual public listening session (Part 1) will address the topics of community housing development organizations, maximum subsidy amounts, green building incentives, homebuyer housing, and community land trusts. The second part of each virtual public listening session (Part 2) will address the topics of rental housing, tenant-based rental assistance, and tenant protections. Registration is required.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 14, 2024 - Call for nominations for a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Technical Expert Panel (TEP) for the expansion of both the Maternal Morbidity Structural Measure (MMSM) and the Birthing-Friendly Hospital Designation. Ideal TEP nominees include clinical experts, obstetrical/gynecologic department chairs, hospital administrators, perinatal quality improvement experts, health equity and birth justice experts, statistical and performance measurement experts, and consumer/patient/family caregiver experts. Nominations can be submitted until July 12th.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Jun 13, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the reinstatement of a generic information collection umbrella titled "Generic Umbrella for Medicaid and CHIP State Plan, Waiver, and Program Submissions" and fifty individual generic information collections. Comments are due by August 12, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 12, 2024 - Summary of federal actions for the promotion of community development, including rural specific work. Highlights programs across the federal government working in capital funding for rural workforce training, housing, infrastructure, and more.
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Jun 12, 2024 - The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is accepting nominations for appointment to the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC), which provides comments and recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on physician payment models. Nominations are due by July 10, 2024.
Source: Federal Register