Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Legislation and regulations
Nurse Staffing Estimates in US Nursing Homes, May 2024
Provides an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) April 2024 final rule that established minimum nurse staffing requirements for nursing homes. Analyzes May 2024 data from Nursing Home Care Compare to examine current staffing levels in U.S. nursing homes relative to specific minimum staffing requirements in the final rule. Includes an illustrative example of a 100-bed facility to explore how many nurse staff would need to be added per shift during the final rule's implementation phase to meet or exceed the final rule's minimum requirements. Presents data by facility characteristics, including ownership type, rural or urban location, and bed size.
Author(s): Martin Blanco, Iara Oliveira, Marie Squillace, Damian Da Costa
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Provides an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) April 2024 final rule that established minimum nurse staffing requirements for nursing homes. Analyzes May 2024 data from Nursing Home Care Compare to examine current staffing levels in U.S. nursing homes relative to specific minimum staffing requirements in the final rule. Includes an illustrative example of a 100-bed facility to explore how many nurse staff would need to be added per shift during the final rule's implementation phase to meet or exceed the final rule's minimum requirements. Presents data by facility characteristics, including ownership type, rural or urban location, and bed size.
Author(s): Martin Blanco, Iara Oliveira, Marie Squillace, Damian Da Costa
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Tribal Broadband: Additional Assistance to Recipients Would Better Support Implementation of $3 Billion in Federal Grants
This provides an overview of Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) grants, including recipients who had not received prior funding from key federal broadband programs and recipients' plans for network ownership and financial sustainability. Examines the extent to which the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) provided technical assistance to recipients regarding financial sustainability and navigating the environmental review process. Presents recommendations to NTIA on technical assistance and reporting to Congress on the resources necessary to ensure the financial sustainability of TBCP projects.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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This provides an overview of Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) grants, including recipients who had not received prior funding from key federal broadband programs and recipients' plans for network ownership and financial sustainability. Examines the extent to which the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) provided technical assistance to recipients regarding financial sustainability and navigating the environmental review process. Presents recommendations to NTIA on technical assistance and reporting to Congress on the resources necessary to ensure the financial sustainability of TBCP projects.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Is Rural Emergency Hospital the BEST Option for You?
Recording of a June 6, 2024, webinar regarding the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation and conversion process. Features a discussion with three rural hospital leaders who consulted with the REH Technical Assistance Center when considering conversion. Transcript is available in the video description.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Redesign Center
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Recording of a June 6, 2024, webinar regarding the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation and conversion process. Features a discussion with three rural hospital leaders who consulted with the REH Technical Assistance Center when considering conversion. Transcript is available in the video description.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Redesign Center
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on the Hospital Inpatient PPS and the Long-term Care Hospital PPS for FY 2025
Comments on a May 2, 2024, Federal Register proposed rule revising the hospital inpatient and long-term care hospital (LTCH) prospective payment systems (PPS). Discusses proposals on rate-setting in both the inpatient prospective payment systems (IPPS) and LTCH PPS; the Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM), including the definition of rural hospitals eligible to participate in a lower-risk track; new payments to small, independent hospitals that establish and maintain a 6-month buffer supply of essential medicines; updates to wage index values and policies; and updates to outlier reconciliation thresholds.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Comments on a May 2, 2024, Federal Register proposed rule revising the hospital inpatient and long-term care hospital (LTCH) prospective payment systems (PPS). Discusses proposals on rate-setting in both the inpatient prospective payment systems (IPPS) and LTCH PPS; the Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM), including the definition of rural hospitals eligible to participate in a lower-risk track; new payments to small, independent hospitals that establish and maintain a 6-month buffer supply of essential medicines; updates to wage index values and policies; and updates to outlier reconciliation thresholds.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Medicare Claims Processing Manual Chapter 4 - Part B Hospital (Including Inpatient Hospital Part B and OPPS)
Outlines rules and regulations for processing Medicare Part B hospital claims. Covers special rules for Critical Access Hospital outpatient billing, hospital-based Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) billing for non-RHC/FQHC services, and payment adjustments for Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs).
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Outlines rules and regulations for processing Medicare Part B hospital claims. Covers special rules for Critical Access Hospital outpatient billing, hospital-based Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) billing for non-RHC/FQHC services, and payment adjustments for Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs).
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Rural Emergency Hospitals
Provides an overview of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program and the statutory requirements for facilities seeking REH designation. Outlines state laws that established REH licensure.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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Provides an overview of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program and the statutory requirements for facilities seeking REH designation. Outlines state laws that established REH licensure.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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A Closer Look at the Final Nursing Facility Rule and Which Facilities Might Meet New Staffing Requirements
Summarizes new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services's (CMS) nurse staffing requirements for nursing facilities outlined in the April 22, 2024, final rule. Analyzes Nursing Home Compare data from April 2024, which reflects nursing home staffing levels from December 2023, to explore the percentage of facilities that meet each of the new nurse staffing requirements. Presents data by nursing ownership status, rural and urban location, special focus facility status, and state.
Author(s): Priya Chidambaram, Alice Burns, Tricia Neuman, Robin Rudowitz
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Summarizes new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services's (CMS) nurse staffing requirements for nursing facilities outlined in the April 22, 2024, final rule. Analyzes Nursing Home Compare data from April 2024, which reflects nursing home staffing levels from December 2023, to explore the percentage of facilities that meet each of the new nurse staffing requirements. Presents data by nursing ownership status, rural and urban location, special focus facility status, and state.
Author(s): Priya Chidambaram, Alice Burns, Tricia Neuman, Robin Rudowitz
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Converting to Rural Emergency Hospitals
Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Chief Executive Officers in New Mexico and Oklahoma regarding the conversion to REH status. Discusses the conversion process of each REH; how they built trust and buy-in from patients and communities, including state and federal policymakers; and financial considerations of conversion.
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Chief Executive Officers in New Mexico and Oklahoma regarding the conversion to REH status. Discusses the conversion process of each REH; how they built trust and buy-in from patients and communities, including state and federal policymakers; and financial considerations of conversion.
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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New Medicare Behavioral Health Providers: Incorporating MHCs and MFTs Into Your RHC
Recording of a May 9, 2024, webinar discussing Medicare coverage of marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) effective January 1, 2024, and the implications for Rural Health Clinics. Describes skills and attributes of MFTs and MHCs and provides an overview of common mental health concerns for older adults. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of a May 9, 2024, webinar discussing Medicare coverage of marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) effective January 1, 2024, and the implications for Rural Health Clinics. Describes skills and attributes of MFTs and MHCs and provides an overview of common mental health concerns for older adults. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Markup of H.R. 8261, H.R. 7931, H.R. 8245, H.R. 8244, H.R. 8235, and H.R. 8246
Recording of a May 8, 2024, House Ways and Means Committee markup of six bills regarding rural health. Legislation covers the extension of telehealth flexibilities, location requirements for Critical Access Hospitals in mountainous areas, the rural nursing home and physician workforce, and Rural Emergency Hospital eligibility.
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: House Ways and Means Committee
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Recording of a May 8, 2024, House Ways and Means Committee markup of six bills regarding rural health. Legislation covers the extension of telehealth flexibilities, location requirements for Critical Access Hospitals in mountainous areas, the rural nursing home and physician workforce, and Rural Emergency Hospital eligibility.
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: House Ways and Means Committee
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