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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Legislation and regulations

Fact Sheet: Rural Community Hospital (RCH) Demonstration
Provides an overview of the Rural Community Hospital demonstration program. Describes reimbursement challenges that rural hospitals face and the early results of the program.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Broadband Connectivity and COVID-19: The FCC's Response
Describes the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) response to the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically regarding internet access and network reliability. Outlines waived regulations and extended deadlines for several programs, including the Rural Health Care program.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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COVID-19's Current Impact on Rural Healthcare Delivery: Q&A with Brock Slabach
An interview with Brock Slabach, the National Rural Health Association's Senior Vice President for Member Services. Discusses the impact of COVID-19 on rural healthcare facilities, policy changes impacting rural providers, collaboration among rural communities to help share solutions, and the use of telehealth during the pandemic.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility PPS for FY 2021
Comments on an April 21, 2020, Federal Register proposed rule addressing updates to the prospective payment system for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) for fiscal year 2021. Includes comments on the adoption of the Office of Management and Budget's geographic area delineations to determine wage index values.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Details on HHS' Distribution of Emergency Funds to Hospitals with High COVID-19 Admissions and Rural Providers
An overview of the methodologies the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services used to distribute COVID-19-related funding to hospitals with high numbers of COVID-19 admissions, rural hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics, and health centers. Includes a comparison of the terms and conditions of the different CARES Act funding programs.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Medicare Primer
A general overview of the Medicare program. Describes the program's history, eligibility criteria, covered services, provider payment systems, and program administration, and financing. Includes information specific to rural areas.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Medicaid: State Views on Program Administration Challenges
Describes four federal Medicaid policies that pose barriers to effective program administration. Highlights the requirement for states to pay Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) under the prospective payment system as a challenge for states. Identifies three issues for federal policymakers to consider when addressing these administrative challenges.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Older Americans Act
Official compilation of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended through P.L. 116-131, enacted March 25, 2020. Provides federal funding for programs that support services for older adults. Provides states and localities with the flexibility to decide the allocation of National Family Caregiver Services between the populations served and extends authorization of the RAISE Family Caregiver Act and the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act by one additional year. Includes discussion of services to help rural older adults.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
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Federal Health Centers and COVID-19
Describes the early federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Health Center Program facilities, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Describes the funding directed to the Health Center Program and the flexibilities for FQHCs to provide telehealth services during the public health emergency.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Selected Health Provisions in Title III of the CARES Act (P.L. 116-136)
Provides an overview of the healthcare-related provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Focuses on sections of the law addressing medical supply shortages, testing and preventative services, and support for the healthcare workforce. Discusses provisions related to telehealth services and rural healthcare systems.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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