Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Legislation and regulations
MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on the Hospital Inpatient PPS and the Long-term Care Hospital PPS for FY 2022
Comments on a May 10, 2021, Federal Register proposed rule revising the hospital inpatient and long-term care hospital (LTCH) prospective payment systems. Discusses proposals on rate-setting in both the hospital and LTCH prospective payment systems, the use of "market-based" data to set Medicare severity–diagnosis related group (MS–DRG) relative weights, and changes to rural reclassification cancellation requirements for hospitals.
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Comments on a May 10, 2021, Federal Register proposed rule revising the hospital inpatient and long-term care hospital (LTCH) prospective payment systems. Discusses proposals on rate-setting in both the hospital and LTCH prospective payment systems, the use of "market-based" data to set Medicare severity–diagnosis related group (MS–DRG) relative weights, and changes to rural reclassification cancellation requirements for hospitals.
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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States' Actions to Expand Telemedicine Access During COVID-19 and Future Policy Considerations
Provides an overview of state laws and policies related to state-regulated insurance coverage of telemedicine services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses future policy considerations for state policymakers regarding coverage of telemedicine services after pandemic-related changes expire.
Author(s): JoAnn Volk, Dania Palanker, Madeline O'Brien, Christina L. Goe
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Provides an overview of state laws and policies related to state-regulated insurance coverage of telemedicine services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses future policy considerations for state policymakers regarding coverage of telemedicine services after pandemic-related changes expire.
Author(s): JoAnn Volk, Dania Palanker, Madeline O'Brien, Christina L. Goe
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Essentially Unprotected: A Focus on Farmworker Health Laws and Policies Addressing Pesticide Exposure and Heat-Related Illness
Report highlights laws and policies that protect farmworkers from heat- and pesticide-related illnesses. Breaks down both federal and state laws in place to protect farmworkers and makes recommendations.
Author(s): Laurie J. Beyranevand, Lihlani Skipper Nelson, Sarah Goldman, et al.
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Center for a Livable Future, Vermont Law School's Center for Agriculture and Food Systems
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Report highlights laws and policies that protect farmworkers from heat- and pesticide-related illnesses. Breaks down both federal and state laws in place to protect farmworkers and makes recommendations.
Author(s): Laurie J. Beyranevand, Lihlani Skipper Nelson, Sarah Goldman, et al.
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Center for a Livable Future, Vermont Law School's Center for Agriculture and Food Systems
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Comments on Proposed Criteria for Defining Urban Areas
Comment letter responding to the U.S. Census Bureau on proposed changes to criteria used to define urban areas. Discusses how the proposed changes could impact the delivery of healthcare services in rural communities, including potential implications on the certification of Rural Health Clinics.
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Comment letter responding to the U.S. Census Bureau on proposed changes to criteria used to define urban areas. Discusses how the proposed changes could impact the delivery of healthcare services in rural communities, including potential implications on the certification of Rural Health Clinics.
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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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
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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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
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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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
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Finance
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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
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Finance
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Broadband Data and Mapping: Background and Issues for the 117th Congress
Explores policy issues and challenges related to high-speed internet access, including federal agency roles in broadband mapping. Includes a section comparing urban and rural areas in terms of access to telecommunications and information technologies.
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Explores policy issues and challenges related to high-speed internet access, including federal agency roles in broadband mapping. Includes a section comparing urban and rural areas in terms of access to telecommunications and information technologies.
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Law and Policy Pathways to Addressing Rising Youth Suicide Rates
Provides information on how to prevent death by suicide in different youth populations, including rural youth. Includes evidence-based suicide prevention strategies and ways to engage communities in prevention efforts.
Author(s): April Shaw
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Network for Public Health Law
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Provides information on how to prevent death by suicide in different youth populations, including rural youth. Includes evidence-based suicide prevention strategies and ways to engage communities in prevention efforts.
Author(s): April Shaw
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Network for Public Health Law
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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
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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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
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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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
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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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
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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