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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

The Role of Medicaid in Rural America
Uses data from the 2013-2015 American Community Survey to examine the role of Medicaid in rural areas, and discuss how potential expansions or cuts could affect rural healthcare. Highlights the importance of Medicaid for many rural residents who are often faced with limited access to insurance and providers, longer travel times, and greater health needs when compared to their urban counterparts. Includes several charts and graphs to illustrate important statistics and demographic comparisons.
Author(s): Julia Foutz, Samantha Artiga, Rachel Garfield
Date: 04/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Designing a Health System That Works for the Tribe
Outlines the challenges facing the Rosebud Sioux Tribe as they work to restore services and improve quality in their Indian Health Service (IHS) hospital. Despite challenges leading to the closure of their emergency department and surgical and obstetrics wards, members of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe are exploring the option of hospital self-governance and believe a high quality healthcare system is within reach.
Author(s): Jessica Bylander
Citation: Health Affairs, 36(4), 592-595
Date: 04/2017
Type: Document
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Health Care: Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring Use in Medicare and Selected Federal Programs
Examines factors affecting the provision of telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM) in Medicare and emerging payment and delivery models that could affect its future use. Analyzes data collected through review of agency documents and regulations, and interviews with officials representing 9 general and medical specialty associations familiar with telehealth. Includes state Medicaid reimbursement examples. Rural-specific implications are discussed throughout.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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The Sky's the Limit: Potential of Drone Usage in Rural Healthcare
Reports on how drones could be used in rural areas to address health-related concerns such as search and rescue, mosquito spraying, and delivery of supplies. Describes the July 2015 medical outreach event in rural Virginia where a drone was used to deliver prescription medicine.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 04/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Oral Health and Medical Conditions among Amish Children
Study of oral health among Amish children in Geauga County, Ohio. Data taken from a questionnaire completed by parents whose children received care at a mobile dental unit. Discusses oral health in relation to other health disparities for Amish children, including bleeding disorder and asthma.
Author(s): Masahiro Heima, Marc-Allen Harrison, Peter Milgrom
Citation: Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, 9(3), e338-e343
Date: 03/2017
Type: Document
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"We Need Help in the Delta": Barriers to Health Promotion Among Older African American Men in the Mississippi Delta
Studies the challenges of promoting health in the rural Mississippi Delta, focusing on older African American men who participated in a small study group. Describes interviews with individuals and focus groups, emphasizing different understandings of the term "health" and structural concerns about health disparities that create barriers for health promotion.
Author(s): Sherry Wang, LaShaundrea Crook, Carol Connell, Kathy Yadrick
Citation: American Journal of Men's Health, 11(2), 414-425
Date: 03/2017
Type: Document
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Establishing Successful Patient-Centered Medical Homes in Rural Hawai'i: Three Strategies to Consider
Provides recommendations for effectively developing Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs) based on phone interviews with healthcare providers on Hawaii's islands and data from the state Area Health Education Center (AHEC). Includes strategies specific to improving care in rural Hawaii.
Author(s): Melissa Nelson Scriber, Kasey Kehoe
Citation: Hawai'i Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 76(3 Suppl 1), 18-23
Date: 03/2017
Type: Document
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Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP, March 2017
Reports on three aspects of Medicaid: Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments to states and providers, access to Medicaid, and children's coverage under CHIP. Chapter 2 includes the second annual report on DSH payments, which provide support to safety-net hospitals to help offset uncompensated care costs for Medicaid and uninsured patients. Table 2-1 identifies DSH spending for urban and rural hospitals and for Critical Access Hospitals. Chapter 3 examines state policies for distributing DSH payments to hospitals, including which states target rural or Critical Access Hospitals.
Date: 03/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Important Factors To Consider When Developing Rural Healthcare Systems: Suggestions From A Moloka'i Native
Highlights a number of factors to consider when developing healthcare systems for rural indigenous communities in Hawaii. Discusses community factors, workforce education, and material factors important to providing healthcare to the Moloka'i people.
Author(s): Luke Kikukawa
Citation: Hawaii Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 76(3), 47-48
Date: 03/2017
Type: Document
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Medicaid Expansion in Louisiana: Perspectives of Providers from Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Centers
Reports on interviews with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) in Louisiana to analyze the impact of Medicaid expansion. Describes the impact on health care access, changes made by FQHCs and RHCs, and the need for more healthcare providers.
Date: 03/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Louisiana Public Health Institute
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