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Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Dec 12, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking comments on proposed recordkeeping regulations for emergency medical services (EMS) agencies that handle controlled substances. The Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017 amended the Controlled Substances Act to allow for a new registration category for emergency medical services agencies that handle controlled substances. Among other things, the proposed regulations would require an EMS agency to maintain records for each controlled substance administered or disposed of while providing emergency medical services. Comments are due by January 13, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 12, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revising and restating the Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority for the HHS Office of the General Counsel (OGC).
Source: Federal Register
Dec 12, 2024 - Highlights the occupational exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for firefighters, efforts to adapt best practices and policies to reduce exposures, the associated costs with those efforts, and changing firefighter culture to account for health and safety. Profiles one rural Maine fire department, describing challenges for adapting with fewer resources and the impact on workforce.
Source: Maine Morning Star
Dec 11, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Payment Collections Operations Contingency Plan; and 2) Requirements Related to Surprise Billing: Qualifying Payment Amount, Notice and Consent, Disclosure on Patient Protections Against Balance Billing, and State Law Opt-in. Comments are due by February 10, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 11, 2024 - Notice of amendment from the Department of Health and Human Services extending the determination of a public health emergency and states that COVID-19 presents a credible risk of a future public health emergency. Among other things, this amendment extends liability immunity for licensed pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and qualified pharmacy technicians to prescribe, dispense, and administer COVID-19 vaccines, seasonal influenza vaccines, and COVID-19 tests through December 31, 2029. This amendment is effective January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 11, 2024 - Notice from the Indian Health Service (IHS) proposing to expand the geographic boundaries of the Purchased/Referred Care Delivery Area (PRCDA) for the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska to include Jackson County, Kansas, and Holt County, Missouri. Comments are due by January 10, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 11, 2024 - Notice from the Indian Health Service (IHS) proposing to expand the geographic boundaries of the Purchased/Referred Care Delivery Area (PRCDA) for the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska to include the counties of Doniphan and Jackson in Kansas and Holt County, Missouri. Comments are due by January 10, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 10, 2024 - Notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising the Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D), Medicaid, Medicare cost plan, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) regulations to implement changes related to Star Ratings, marketing and communications, agent/broker compensation, health equity, drug coverage, dual eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs), utilization management, network adequacy, and other programmatic areas, including the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. This proposed rule also includes proposals to codify existing subregulatory guidance in the Part C and Part D programs. Comments are due by January 27, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 10, 2024 - Discusses the digital divide in Kansas counties due to slow internet connections and access to digital devices. Highlights policy efforts to close the divide and infrastructure challenges found in rural communities.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Dec 10, 2024 - Reports on a new Nevada language-access law that exempts smaller counties and discusses the impacts on rural residents that speak a language other than English. Highlights the growing diversification of rural areas as well as the challenges with offering services and information in languages other than English for small jurisdictions with limited resources. Discusses the importance of language-access for topics related to public health and voting for health-related issues.
Source: KFF Health News, Daily Yonder