Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Technology for health and human services

Jan 14, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Conditions of Participation for Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICFs-IID) and 2) Data Use Agreement (DUA) Limited Data Set (LDS) Forms Research Identifiable Files (RIF) Forms. Comments are due by March 17, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 10, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announcing the availability of an estimated $79 million in grant funding for the Community Connect Grant Program for fiscal year 2025. The Community Connect Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants who will provide service at or above the broadband grant speed to all premises in rural, economically challenged communities where broadband service does not exist. The application window opens on February 20, 2025. Applications are due by April 21, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 6, 2025 - Notice of proposed rulemaking from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on a proposal to modify the Security Standards for the Protection of Electronic Protected Health Information ("Security Rule") under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 (HITECH Act). Proposals are intended to increase the cybersecurity for electronic protected health information (ePHI) by revising the Security Rule to address changes in the environment in which health care is provided; significant increases in breaches and cyberattacks; common deficiencies the Office for Civil Rights has observed in investigations into Security Rule compliance by covered entities and their business associates; other cybersecurity guidelines, best practices, methodologies, procedures, and processes; and court decisions that affect enforcement of the Security Rule. Comments are due by March 7, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 3, 2025 - Describes how a temporary extension of telehealth rules impacts rural healthcare providers. Discusses quality of care concerns, benefits for rural residents, and broadband investments.
Source: Public News Service
Dec 31, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopting the November 1, 2024, Report and Order regarding the continued support for the advancement of modern mobile and fixed broadband service in Alaska. The FCC moves forward with establishing the Alaska Connect Fund (ACF) program to provide ongoing and certain support to both mobile and fixed carriers receiving Universal Service Fund high-cost support in Alaska through 2034. This final rule is effective January 30, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 30, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) announces the dates for public meetings of the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC) to be held throughout the 2025 calendar year.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 27, 2024 - The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking information about the impact of ageism in healthcare and methods and strategies to address ageism in healthcare delivery. Information collected will inform future research priorities and studies, policies, and initiatives to improve the quality and outcomes of care for older adults. Includes specific questions of interest to AHRQ, including how ageism varies across diverse population groups, such as older adults living in rural or socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. Comments are due by March 15, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 19, 2024 - Reports on trends in maternal health and mortality in Arizona and drivers of poor outcomes such as limited mental health training for providers, mental health workforce shortages, and stigma. Discusses rural-specific challenges in accessing care like transportation, labor and delivery service access, broadband, and low provider reimbursement rates for care.
Source: Tuscon Sentinel
Dec 19, 2024 - Notice from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announcing seven regional meetings for Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG) grantees between February and May 2025. Roundtables will provide technical assistance and oversight and conclude with a regional roundtable that enables the public to engage with grantees, local experts, and other stakeholders working to address digital inequities. Information on how to register will be posted on the BroadbandUSA website.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 18, 2024 - Describes a telehealth program for critically ill patients implemented in 2 hospitals in rural Mississippi. Notes that 53 of Mississippi's 82 counties are more than 40 minutes away from specialty care. Discusses challenges with implementation, the increase in revenue for the 2 facilities, and planned use of AI for patient care and financial analysis.
Source: SmartBrief