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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy

Buprenorphine Dispensing in an Epicenter of the U.S. Opioid Epidemic: A Case Study of the Rural Risk Environment in Appalachian Kentucky
Explores buprenorphine dispensing practices among pharmacists in rural, Appalachian Kentucky, highlighting issues related to buprenorphine dispensing hesitancy. Identifies themes from interviews with 14 pharmacists operating in 12 rural, Appalachian Kentucky counties and discusses dispensing risk environment. Reviews factors influencing hesitancy, including national and state-level drug policy, stigma, and continuing impacts of the opioid epidemic.
Author(s): Hannah L.F. Cooper, David H. Cloud, Patricia R. Freeman, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Drug Policy, 85, 102701
Date: 11/2020
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Indian Health 101: Fulfilling a Promise
Presents an overview of the Indian Health Service (IHS) including the legislative history and financial support for the development of IHS. Discusses health disparities and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 experienced by American Indians/Alaska Natives.
Author(s): Christopher D. Chavis
Date: 11/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Indian Health Board
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To Improve Rural Health Equity, Invest in Housing, Water, and Food Access
Discusses proven solutions state and federal policymakers can adopt to promote health equity in rural communities by focusing on investments in water, housing, and food access.
Author(s): Amanda Gold, Jorge Morales-Burnett, Corianne Payton Scally
Date: 11/2020
Sponsoring organization: Urban Institute
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November 2020 MedPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) November 2020 meeting. Covers the expansion of telehealth in Medicare, Medicare beneficiaries' access to care in rural areas, effects of pharmaceutical manufacturer rebates on Part D's risk adjustment, and improving competition among Part D's benchmark plans.
Date: 11/2020
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Rural Health Clinic COVID-19 Testing Program
Recording of a November 16, 2020, webinar providing information about HRSA's allocation of funds to Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) for COVID-19 testing and HRSA's RHC testing terms and conditions. Includes information on the RHC COVID-19 Reporting Portal, a list of frequently asked questions, and contact information for COVID-19 testing technical assistance. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 11/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Frontier Community Health Integration Project (FCHIP) Demonstration Evaluation: Final Evaluation Report
Presents findings from an evaluation of the Frontier Community Health Integration Project (FCHIP) Demonstration. Describes the three possible interventions, including their impact, progress and accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned. Identifies commonalities that emerged across the FCHIP interventions that may inform future demonstrations among rural healthcare providers.
Additional links: Findings At-A-Glance
Date: 11/2020
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, RTI International
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Rural Challenges, Strategies, and Recommendations to Advance Value-Based Payment and Care During and Beyond the COVID-19 Crisis
Describes the key challenges rural primary care and behavioral health providers have faced in delivering care since COVID-19, in addition to the policy changes implemented in response to those challenges. Offers state-level policy recommendations for improving rural primary care and behavioral health services.
Author(s): Angel Bourgoin, Jim Maxwell, Yvette Cho, Rachel Tobey
Date: 11/2020
Sponsoring organization: Delta Center for a Thriving Safety Net
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The Future of State Telehealth Policy
Provides an overview of state and federal telehealth flexibilities implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses long-term considerations for governors regarding the impact of these flexibilities on healthcare delivery and payment and the appropriateness of these policies in the future.
Date: 11/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Governors Association
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The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' Ethical Principles for Allocating Initial Supplies of COVID-19 Vaccine — United States, 2020
Discusses four ethical principles that will inform the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations for the initial allocation of COVID-19 vaccine: maximizing benefits and minimizing harms; promoting justice; mitigating health inequities; and promoting transparency. The section on health inequities includes discussion of concerns for rural residents.
Author(s): Nancy McClung, Mary Chamberland, Kathy Kinlaw, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(47), 1782-1786
Date: 11/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Informing Health Care Workforce Policy by Leveraging Data: A Toolkit for States
Describes how healthcare workforce data can be used to address questions regarding access to care. Discusses three key considerations for states to improve their healthcare workforce data collection practices. Includes examples from states that utilized data to inform policy.
Date: 11/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Governors Association
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