Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy
Building on the Evidence Base: Studies on the Effects of Medicaid Expansion, February 2020 to March 2021
Summarizes the results of a review of 200 studies published between February 2020 and March 2021 on the impact of state Medicaid expansions under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Highlights findings on mortality; cancer, chronic disease, and disabilities; sexual and reproductive health; behavioral health; economic impacts on states and providers, including rural providers; disparities; and social determinants of health. Builds on a literature review that examined studies published between January 2014 and January 2020.
Author(s): Madeline Guth, Meghana Ammula
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Summarizes the results of a review of 200 studies published between February 2020 and March 2021 on the impact of state Medicaid expansions under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Highlights findings on mortality; cancer, chronic disease, and disabilities; sexual and reproductive health; behavioral health; economic impacts on states and providers, including rural providers; disparities; and social determinants of health. Builds on a literature review that examined studies published between January 2014 and January 2020.
Author(s): Madeline Guth, Meghana Ammula
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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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
Type: Document
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
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Physician Workforce: Caps on Medicare-funded Graduate Medical Education at Teaching Hospitals
Provides an overview of Medicare physician graduate medical education (GME) funding to teaching hospitals. Describes the extent to which hospitals were over or under their Medicare GME caps in 2018, including their urban or rural status. Summarizes stakeholder views on extending the time frame for hospitals with new GME programs to establish their caps.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Provides an overview of Medicare physician graduate medical education (GME) funding to teaching hospitals. Describes the extent to which hospitals were over or under their Medicare GME caps in 2018, including their urban or rural status. Summarizes stakeholder views on extending the time frame for hospitals with new GME programs to establish their caps.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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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
Type: Document
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
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Rural Health Network Development Planning Grants Awarded to Entities in Counties with Majority Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Populations, 2003-2020
Policy brief describing the prevalence of Rural Health Network Development Planning Grants awarded to organizations in counties with majority Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC) populations. Features statistics on number of grantees by year and focus of work, and percentage of grantees in minority BIPOC counties by year.
Author(s): Mary Gilbertson, Mariana Tuttle, Jill Tanem, Katie Rydberg, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Policy brief describing the prevalence of Rural Health Network Development Planning Grants awarded to organizations in counties with majority Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC) populations. Features statistics on number of grantees by year and focus of work, and percentage of grantees in minority BIPOC counties by year.
Author(s): Mary Gilbertson, Mariana Tuttle, Jill Tanem, Katie Rydberg, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Trends in Network Focus Areas among Network Development Planning Grantees, 2003-2020
Policy brief examining focus areas of networks funded by the Network Planning Grant program, to determine whether there are trends in scope and substance of rural health networks. Includes a chart showing focus areas with breakdowns by year from 2003-2020.
Author(s): Katie Rydberg, Mariana Tuttle, Jill Tanem, Mary Gilbertson, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Policy brief examining focus areas of networks funded by the Network Planning Grant program, to determine whether there are trends in scope and substance of rural health networks. Includes a chart showing focus areas with breakdowns by year from 2003-2020.
Author(s): Katie Rydberg, Mariana Tuttle, Jill Tanem, Mary Gilbertson, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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State and Community Efforts to Address Stimulant Use
Explores state and community-based efforts to address stimulant misuse. Summarizes common themes and key findings that emerged from discussions with a diverse group of stakeholders. Covers program activities, funding sources, facilitators, and barriers to implementing programs to respond to stimulant use. Identifies policy options for community, state, and federal stakeholders. Includes rural references throughout.
Author(s): Rebecca L. Haffajee, Sara Heins
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, RAND Corporation
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Explores state and community-based efforts to address stimulant misuse. Summarizes common themes and key findings that emerged from discussions with a diverse group of stakeholders. Covers program activities, funding sources, facilitators, and barriers to implementing programs to respond to stimulant use. Identifies policy options for community, state, and federal stakeholders. Includes rural references throughout.
Author(s): Rebecca L. Haffajee, Sara Heins
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, RAND Corporation
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Success among Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Awardees: Barriers and Facilitators
Policy brief examining challenges and successes in meeting goals for the Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant, using survey data from 42 rural grantees from the years 2003-2018. Intended to inform policies and programs supporting healthcare and health in rural areas at the local level.
Author(s): Mariana Tuttle, Katie Rydberg, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Policy brief examining challenges and successes in meeting goals for the Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant, using survey data from 42 rural grantees from the years 2003-2018. Intended to inform policies and programs supporting healthcare and health in rural areas at the local level.
Author(s): Mariana Tuttle, Katie Rydberg, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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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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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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RHC COVID Initiatives Webinar
Recording of a May 19, 2021, webinar providing an overview of federal actions regarding COVID-19 vaccine confidence, testing and mitigation, and vaccine access specific to Rural Health Clinics. Covers program funding, eligibility, and application processes. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 05/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of a May 19, 2021, webinar providing an overview of federal actions regarding COVID-19 vaccine confidence, testing and mitigation, and vaccine access specific to Rural Health Clinics. Covers program funding, eligibility, and application processes. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 05/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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