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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Health, Work, and Care in Rural America
Report examining rural access to paid leave from work, the economic impacts of limited access to paid leave, and distances to hospital-based and skilled nursing care. Offers a broad view of rural economic and health dynamics, travel burdens to access hospital-based care, and presents policy recommendations to address paid leave as a social determinant of health.
Author(s): Vicki Shabo, Hannah Friedman
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: New America
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State Medicaid Telehealth Policies Before and During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: 2022 Update
Examines state Medicaid telehealth coverage, policies, and utilization before and after the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). Describes the types of Medicaid services that were allowed to be delivered by telehealth and the types of telehealth modality covered before the PHE, in May 2020, and in January 2022. Outlines the status of state Medicaid telehealth flexibilities based on state executive orders and Medicaid agency guidance. Builds on a July 2021 analysis of state Medicaid telehealth coverage, policies, and utilization before and after the COVID-19 PHE.
Author(s): Jacquelyn Rudich, Ann B. Conmy, Rose C. Chum, et al
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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National Rural Health Day 2022: Dr. Roxie Wells Talks Hospital Resilience in the Face of Change
Conversation with Dr. Roxie Wells, president of Cape Fear Valley Hoke Hospital, on rural hospital resiliency. Describes the most pressing needs of the Hoke County, North Carolina, community; Cape Fear Valley Hoke Hospital's primary areas of action to address those needs; and the most significant threats the hospital faces to improve community health. Discusses how AHA has helped the hospital successfully confront these challenges.
Date: 11/2022
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Bridging the Digital Divide: Advancing Telehealth Equity
Describes the rise in telehealth use in Massachusetts since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and disparities in use across populations. Summarizes the access, quality, and experience factors associated with telehealth from the perspective of patients, providers, and community leaders. Identifies barriers and factors that promoted telehealth use. Offers recommendations for health plans to advance telehealth equity by addressing the root causes of the digital divide, promoting digital inclusion, removing structural and financial barriers to telehealth access, and supporting higher quality and more inclusive care delivery.
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Department of Population Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, Massachusetts Health Quality Partners
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It's Not Easy Being a Rural Pharmacy: Services, Payments, Closures, and Deserts
Webinar recording discusses the financial pressures facing rural pharmacies and the consequences of rural pharmacy closures. Explores pharmacy deserts as a barrier to rural healthcare. Features presentations from researchers from the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis.
Additional links: Webinar Slides, Webinar Transcript
Date: 11/2022
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis, Rural Health Research Gateway
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Exploring Multi-Sector Collaboration: A Playbook for New Rural Healthcare Models of Investment
A webinar recording highlighting a May 2022 report discussing how healthcare organizations can collaborate with economic stakeholders to improve population health. Discusses how to build partnership models by exploring case studies that use upstream health interventions in rural areas.
Author(s): Samantha Borow, Colleen Flynn, Ashley Hernandez, Rebecca Lemmons
Date: 11/2022
Type: Video/Multimedia
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Health Care Access and Use Among Adults With and Without Vision Impairment: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2018
Analyzes insurance status, access to usual source of care, healthcare utilization, and unmet healthcare needs due to cost among adults with vision impairment. Utilizes 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to examine 426,302 adults by age, sex, race/ethnicity, poverty level, health status and behaviors, disability type, U.S. region and territory, and metropolitan or nonmetropolitan status.
Author(s): Qi Cheng, Catherine A. Okoro, Isabel Mendez, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 19
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
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CMS Framework for Advancing Health Care in Rural, Tribal, and Geographically Isolated Communities
Report outlines the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plan for improving health equity and health outcomes across the U.S. for rural, tribal, and geographically isolated communities. Details a 6 priority framework emphasizing the application of a community-informed geographic lens; the collection and use of standardized data; support for healthcare professionals; the optimization of medical and communication technology; the expansion of access to comprehensive healthcare coverage, benefits, and services and supports; and innovation and value-based care. Highlights examples of activities CMS is undertaking in support of each priority and recent CMS efforts that align with each priority.
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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2022 Rural-Urban Disparities in Health Care in Medicare
Examines rural/urban differences in the quality of healthcare received by Medicare beneficiaries in 2021, with breakdowns by race and ethnicity. Focuses on patient experience and clinical care measures, including screening for and management of health conditions and medication-related issues.
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Provides a comprehensive summary and data analysis of healthcare quality and access in the U.S. Addresses access to healthcare, patient safety, person-centered care, care coordination, effective treatment, healthy living, and care affordability. Includes a discussion of rural hospital closures and the impact on the distance required to access selected healthcare services.
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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