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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Emergency preparedness and response

HHS Maternal-Child Health Emergency Planning Toolkit
Toolkit developed for healthcare providers, public health professionals, and social services providers focused on improving and addressing maternal and child health during emergencies. Provides resources, promising practices, and case studies related to planning for emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation for women who are pregnant or postpartum, infants, and young children. Includes discussion on the needs of underserved and rural populations during emergencies.
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Border 2025: United States-Mexico Environmental Program
Describes the goals and objectives of the Border 2025 program, including further investment in reducing air pollution, improving water quality, supporting waste management, and increasing preparedness to respond to environmental emergencies. Breaks down objectives into measurable stages and discusses partnerships between governments, U.S. tribes, and Mexican Indigenous communities.
Additional links: Frontera 2025: Programa Ambiental México - Estados Unidos
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Border 2020: United States-Mexico Environmental Program Key Closing Accomplishments
Describes the achievements of the Border 2020 program, including air pollution reduction, increasing access to clean water, wastewater facility construction, waste management, and emergency response preparation. Discusses examples of projects in rural colonias.
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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COVID-19 Health Care Flexibilities: Perspectives, Experiences, and Lessons Learned
Recording of a May 19, 2021, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance hearing on healthcare flexibilities implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on telehealth. Discusses lessons learned and considerations for the extension of these flexibilities beyond the pandemic.
Additional links: Kisha Davis Testimony, Narayana Murali Testimony
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Finance
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Medicare and Telehealth: Coverage and Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Options for the Future
Provides an overview of changes made to Medicare's coverage of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Explores Medicare beneficiaries' use of telehealth in summer and fall 2020, and presents data by beneficiary age, race and ethnicity, dual-eligibility, presence and type of chronic conditions, and metropolitan status. Examines issues and questions regarding telehealth coverage beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Author(s): Wyatt Koma, Juliette Cubanski, Tricia Neuman
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Vaccinating Rural America: Q&A with Dr. Amanda Cohn
An interview with Amanda Cohn, MD, Chief Medical Officer on the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force. Discusses CDC resources, funding, and other support to help organizations increase vaccination rates in underserved communities such as rural, tribal, and communities of color.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-2): Private Health Insurance, Medicaid, CHIP, and Medicare Provisions
Provides an overview of the provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that relate to private health insurance, Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare. Includes information on provisions specific to rural providers.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Critical Access Hospital Response to COVID-19
Webinar recording summarizing results of a survey of Critical Access Hospital (CAH) executives in eight states regarding the hospitals' ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic from February-August 2020. Covers survey findings related to CAH finance, federal waivers and regulatory flexibilities, capacity for treatment, workforce, and partnerships. Discusses opportunities for future research on COVID-19 response and preparedness for future disasters and public health emergencies.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Megan Lahr, Ira Moscovice
Date: 04/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act & Related Legislation and Administrative Action Impacting Rural Health
Provides an overview of legislation passed by Congress regarding COVID-19. Identifies provisions relevant to rural healthcare providers, including the Paycheck Protection Program, funding for public health and rural workforce programs, telehealth flexibilities, and more.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Promising Flex Program Initiatives to Support Critical Access Hospitals during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Reports on promising State Flex Program (SFP) strategies to support Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and address priority needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights initiatives implemented by SFPs in seven states: Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming. Discusses strategies regarding support for frontline staff, staff communication, communication to rural communities, clinical and service improvement, and CAH and Rural Health Clinic financial performance. Discusses ongoing considerations and concerns.
Author(s): Celia Jewell, Sara Kahn-Troster, John Gale
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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