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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

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

Nov 12, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announcing the adoption of a Third Report and Order that requires wireless providers to implement a georouting solution for calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to facilitate access to critical local intervention services. The Third Report and Order also revises the Commission's existing 988 voice and texting rules to permit routing to the 988 Lifeline without translation to a toll-free access number, giving wireless providers flexibility in implementing georouting solutions. This rule is effective December 12, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 7, 2024 - Highlights a recently completed research study aiming to determine the benefits and challenges of using autonomous vehicles on rural roads. Discusses the potential impact of this technology on rural resident health and well-being.
Source: Ohio University
Nov 6, 2024 - Discusses access to Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare challenges for rural veterans, noting broadband access, workforce shortages, transportation issues, and caregiving load as contributing to the challenges.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Nov 4, 2024 - A rural Georgia hospital experienced a ransomware attack, taking offline its electronic health records and IT systems. Discusses the disruption to patient care when a rural hospital is attacked and recent initiatives by the federal government and private sector to improve rural hospital cybersecurity.
Source: GovInfoSecurity
Nov 4, 2024 - Discusses disparities in access to mental healthcare in rural California. Discusses workforce shortages, technology facilitators and barriers to access, and affordability.
Source: California Health Report
Nov 4, 2024 - Discusses telehealth and remote monitoring tool solutions for improving rural healthcare access. Highlights the role the COVID-19 pandemic played in increasing telehealth adoption and access barriers that remain in spite of wider telehealth adoption. Discusses workforce shortages, broadband challenges, and reimbursement for telehealth.
Source: TechTarget
Oct 31, 2024 - Notice from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) announcing a virtual meeting to discuss the implementation of an Executive Order to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare Safety Program on November 15, 2024. Agenda topics will include recent AI-related analyses from the Network of Patient Safety Databases (NPSD), available program resources, and speakers from the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and the Coalition for Health AI. Active participation and discussion by meeting participants is encouraged. Interested persons send an email to SDMeetings@infinityconferences.com for registration information.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 28, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) seeking comments to inform the use or adoption of interoperability standards for human services programs. Specifically, ACF is seeking information on the most effective approaches, technical standards, and technological tools that currently or could promote interoperability between health and human services programs. Comments are due within 60 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 25, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical corrections to the February 8, 2024, final rule. This correcting amendment is effective October 25, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 17, 2024 - Announces newly awarded funding for connecting rural and remote communities with high-speed internet in 10 states.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture