Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Legislation and regulations

Areas with High Poverty: Changing How the 10-20-30 Funding Formula Is Applied Could Increase Impact in Persistent-Poverty Counties
Provides an overview of the "10-20-30 formula" used by some agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development, to allocate funding to persistent poverty counties. Describes how agencies identify persistent-poverty counties, the proportion of funds awarded to these counties in fiscal years 2017-2020, and the impact and limitations of the 10-20-30 formula. Highlights matters for future consideration by Congress.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
view details
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
view details
Law and Policy Pathways to Addressing Rising Youth Suicide Rates
Provides information on how to prevent death by suicide in vulnerable populations, such as rural, indigenous, and LGBTQ youth. Includes evidence-based suicide prevention strategies and ways to engage communities in prevention efforts.
Author(s): April Shaw
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Network for Public Health Law
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
Comment on Recommendations from the Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Area Standards Review Committee to Changes in Metropolitan and Micropolitan Area Standards
Offers comments in response to the Office of Management and Budget's proposed changes to the metropolitan and micropolitan statistical area standards. Discusses potential unintended consequences of the proposed changes and the broader implications of the definition of metropolitan on research and policy development.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
view details
Student Loan Programs Authorized by the Public Health Service Act: An Overview
Provides an overview of student loan programs for health profession students authorized by the Public Health Service Act and administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Describes borrower eligibility requirements, loan terms and conditions, and administrative rules. Includes a table comparing the programs by borrower type, repayment terms, the number of participating schools, and the number and financial amount of outstanding loans.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
view details
COVID-19 Response: Broadband Funding for Tribes, Tribal Colleges and Universities, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, and the Indian Health Service
Identifies indirect and direct broadband funding for American Indian tribes, tribal colleges and universities, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, and the Indian Health Service authorized in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act; Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021; and American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
view details
Determining Rural Communities: Current Changes and Updated Federal Program Eligibility
Presentation slides from a March 11, 2021, webinar discussing the various definitions of rural used by the federal government. Provides an overview of revisions to the eligibility for grant programs administered by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), as well as a proposal from the U.S. Census Bureau to reclassify certain counties as rural. Describes implications for FORHP funding programs.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
view details