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Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Dec 9, 2024 - The Census Bureau is seeking comments on revisions to the Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS). HTOPS, a progression from the Household Pulse Survey, is designed to ensure the availability of frequent data collection for nationwide estimates on a variety of topics for a variety of subgroups of the population. The January 2025 topical survey will include a household roster update and a section of assistance program income questions that will be used to test several possible changes, and the February 2025 topical survey will include content from the Household Pulse Survey. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 9, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Community Mental Health Center Cost Report; 2) Federally Qualified Health Center Cost Report Form; and 3) Medicare Request for Employment Information. Comments are due by January 8, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 9, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing: 1) changes to the Physician Fee Schedule and Medicare Part B payment policies; 2) policies for the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate program under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; 3) updates to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program expanded model; 4) payment for dental services inextricably linked to specific covered medical services; 5) updates to drugs and biological products paid under Part B including immunosuppressive drugs and clotting factors; 6) Medicare Shared Savings Program requirements; 7) updates to the Quality Payment Program; 8) Medicare coverage of opioid use disorder services furnished by opioid treatment programs; 9) updates to policies for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); 10) electronic prescribing for controlled substances for a covered Part D drug under a prescription drug plan or an MA-PD plan; 11) updates to the Ambulance Fee Schedule regulations; 12) updates to Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule regulations; 13) updates to the diabetes payment structure and COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) flexibilities; 14) expansion of colorectal cancer screening and Hepatitis B vaccine coverage and payment; 15) establishing payment for drugs covered as additional preventive services; and 16) Medicare Parts A and B Overpayment Provisions of the Affordable Care Act and Medicare Parts C and D Overpayment Provisions of the Affordable Care Act. These regulations are effective January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 9, 2024 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) seeks comments on the Draft Health Center Program Scope of Project Manual. The draft Scope of Project Policy Manual provides updated policy guidance on what constitutes the health center program scope of project under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. Comments are due February 7, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 9, 2024 - Discusses anticipated challenges with receiving prescription medication for rural Missouri residents relying on the U.S. Postal Service due to planned changes to distribution routes and less frequent service. Notes there have been increases in mail-order prescriptions alongside a national trend in rural pharmacy closures.
Source: Missouri Independent
Dec 9, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) making technical and typographical corrections to the September 30, 2024, final rule. This rule is effective December 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 6, 2024 - Notice from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) seeking comments on the risk component of the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) cooperative agreement funding formula to inform potential future changes. HPP is a cooperative agreement program that prepares the nation's healthcare delivery system to save lives during emergencies that exceed the day-to-day capacity of healthcare and emergency response systems. Comments are due by December 20, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 6, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) updating the audit and financial statement language in the Multi-Family Housing (MFH) and Community Facility (CF) regulations to align with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 2024 revisions. This rule is effective December 6, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 6, 2024 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeking comments on a new SAMHSA Unified Performance Reporting Tool (SUPRT). SUPRT will combine and align the existing client-level performance instrument for the SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and National Outcomes Measures (NOMs) instrument for the SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services, and create a two-component tool that will allow for a self-administered questionnaire and a grantee completion of administrative data. SAMHSA will use the data collected through SUPRT for annual reporting, grantee monitoring, and continuous improvement of its discretionary grant programs. Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
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