Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access
The Future of Telehealth After COVID-19: New Opportunities and Challenges
Provides an overview of the current evidence regarding telehealth's impact on equitable access to care and on quality of care, patient outcomes, and cost. Describes the COVID-19 pandemic-related regulatory flexibilities for mental health and substance use disorder services. Discusses the importance of telehealth on primary and specialty care during the public health emergency (PHE). Offers recommendations for Medicare telehealth policies to promote better outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries and value for the Medicare program.
Additional links: Medicare Telehealth Utilization and Spending Impacts 2019-2021, Webinar Recording
Author(s): Julia Harris, Sabah Bhatnagar, Brady Newell, et al.
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Provides an overview of the current evidence regarding telehealth's impact on equitable access to care and on quality of care, patient outcomes, and cost. Describes the COVID-19 pandemic-related regulatory flexibilities for mental health and substance use disorder services. Discusses the importance of telehealth on primary and specialty care during the public health emergency (PHE). Offers recommendations for Medicare telehealth policies to promote better outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries and value for the Medicare program.
Additional links: Medicare Telehealth Utilization and Spending Impacts 2019-2021, Webinar Recording
Author(s): Julia Harris, Sabah Bhatnagar, Brady Newell, et al.
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Delivery of Cancer Screening and Treatment in Critical Access Hospitals
Summarizes results of a survey of 135 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) regarding cancer screening and treatment provided by CAHs. Describes the role of visiting providers and the use of telemedicine in cancer screening and treatment.
Author(s): Megan Lahr, Xiomara Santana, Helen Parsons, Nathan Bean, Ira Moscovice
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Summarizes results of a survey of 135 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) regarding cancer screening and treatment provided by CAHs. Describes the role of visiting providers and the use of telemedicine in cancer screening and treatment.
Author(s): Megan Lahr, Xiomara Santana, Helen Parsons, Nathan Bean, Ira Moscovice
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Young Children's Geographic Access to Head Start Preschool Programs, 2022
Examines geographic access to Head Start Preschool Programs for income-eligible 3- and 4-year old children. Provides data related to children's access to and availability of programs by state, race/ethnicity, and metropolitan, micropolitan, small town, or rural location.
Author(s): Robin Ghertner, Alayna Schreier
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Examines geographic access to Head Start Preschool Programs for income-eligible 3- and 4-year old children. Provides data related to children's access to and availability of programs by state, race/ethnicity, and metropolitan, micropolitan, small town, or rural location.
Author(s): Robin Ghertner, Alayna Schreier
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Rural Health Clinics: Focusing on the Patient
Brief overview of the history of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), from their origins in the Rural Health Clinic Services Act of 1977, and into the present, as they continue to provide an array of vital services to rural communities.
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Brief overview of the history of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), from their origins in the Rural Health Clinic Services Act of 1977, and into the present, as they continue to provide an array of vital services to rural communities.
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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A Career of Influencing Rural Healthcare Delivery: Bill Finerfrock and the NARHC Origin Story
Reviews the founding of the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC), with insights from long-time NARHC executive director Bill Finerfrock about collaborative work with other rural health organizations to support the Rural Health Clinic program.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Reviews the founding of the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC), with insights from long-time NARHC executive director Bill Finerfrock about collaborative work with other rural health organizations to support the Rural Health Clinic program.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural Health Clinic Program at 45 Years: Created for Access and Still Delivering Care
Features rural health policy experts, researchers, and clinicians discussing the impact of the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) program on outpatient healthcare delivery.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Features rural health policy experts, researchers, and clinicians discussing the impact of the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) program on outpatient healthcare delivery.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Majority of Households in the Island Areas Own a Computer and Have Broadband Internet
Presents findings from the 2020 Island Area Censuses (IACs) on computer and broadband internet access in U.S. island territories. Breaks down data by island and shows changes since the 2010 Census. Discusses the 2020 IAC questionnaire and offers a variety of data comparisons.
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Presents findings from the 2020 Island Area Censuses (IACs) on computer and broadband internet access in U.S. island territories. Breaks down data by island and shows changes since the 2010 Census. Discusses the 2020 IAC questionnaire and offers a variety of data comparisons.
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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The Costs of Cancer in Rural Communities
Explores the financial impact cancer has on individuals in rural communities. Includes information and data related to health insurance, income levels, and how cost is connected to healthcare access and deferred treatment.
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
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Explores the financial impact cancer has on individuals in rural communities. Includes information and data related to health insurance, income levels, and how cost is connected to healthcare access and deferred treatment.
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
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Maternal Health: Availability of Hospital-Based Obstetric Care in Rural Areas
Explores the availability of hospital-based obstetric services in rural areas. Summarizes stakeholder perspectives on the factors affecting the availability of these services and on the efforts federal agencies, states, and others could take to increase the access to obstetric care. Highlights six programs identified by researchers and provider associations as effective at increasing obstetric care in rural areas.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Explores the availability of hospital-based obstetric services in rural areas. Summarizes stakeholder perspectives on the factors affecting the availability of these services and on the efforts federal agencies, states, and others could take to increase the access to obstetric care. Highlights six programs identified by researchers and provider associations as effective at increasing obstetric care in rural areas.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Health Care Access Among Self-Employed Workers in Nonmetropolitan Counties
Webinar recording highlighting a May 2022 report that examines access to healthcare for self-employed workers, their families, and their households in rural areas. Utilizes 2014-2020 data to discuss health insurance coverage and affordability, availability of healthcare services, and changes in work, income, health status, and healthcare access. Transcript available below description.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Author(s): Elizabeth A. Dobis, Jessica E. Todd
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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Webinar recording highlighting a May 2022 report that examines access to healthcare for self-employed workers, their families, and their households in rural areas. Utilizes 2014-2020 data to discuss health insurance coverage and affordability, availability of healthcare services, and changes in work, income, health status, and healthcare access. Transcript available below description.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Author(s): Elizabeth A. Dobis, Jessica E. Todd
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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