Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy

Washington's Behavioral Health Workforce: Barriers and Solutions - Phase I Report and Recommendations
Report details the barriers affecting the Washington State's behavioral health workforce and discusses potential policy solutions to address them. Includes recommendations based on current levels of workforce and access to care, as well as reciprocity agreements, among other barriers to address throughout the state.
Author(s): Julia G. O'Connor, Nova E. Gattman, Liz Coleman, et al.
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies, Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
view details
Mortality-to-Incidence Ratios by U.S. Congressional District: Implications for Epidemiologic, Dissemination and Implementation Research, and Public Health Policy
Analyzes congressional district-specific mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIR) between 2011 and 2015 for all cancers and for cancers of breast, cervix, colorectal, esophagus, lung, oral, pancreas, and prostate cancers. Compares MIRs across regions, state Medicaid expansion status, race, and rurality. Discusses implications for policymakers and researchers.
Author(s): Jan M. Eberth, Whitney E. Zahnd, Swann Arp Adams, et al.
Citation: Preventative Medicine, 129(S), 105849
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
view details
The Rural Hospital Stabilization Program: A Comprehensive Report
Provides an overview of the first three years of the Rural Hospital Stabilization Grant Program for rural Georgia hospitals. Describes grant-funded projects and evaluates the sustainability of these projects after funding ceased. Includes a financial analysis of participating hospitals before and after receiving grant funds.
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Georgia Department of Community Health, Georgia State Office of Rural Health
view details
Access to Specialty Healthcare in Urban Versus Rural US Populations: A Systematic Literature Review
Surveys research between January 2013 – August 2018 on healthcare access, seeking clear definition and understanding of barriers to specialty care. Draws data from 67 peer-reviewed articles, presenting a conceptual framework based on common themes. Discusses issues of availability, perception, policy, stigma, and other access factors.
Author(s): Melissa E. Cyr, Anna G. Etchin, Barbara J. Guthrie, James C. Benneyan
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 19, 974
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
view details
Opioid Prescribing Among Adults With Disabilities in the United States After the 2014 Federal Hydrocodone Rescheduling Regulation
Examines the impact of the 2014 federal rescheduling regulation regarding hydrocodone-combination products on Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities. Provides maps of prolonged opioid use by Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities by state before and after the regulation was implemented. Includes data analysis of beneficiaries in metropolitan, urban, and rural areas.
Author(s): Victor Law, Yong-Fang Kuo, Mukaila A. Raji, Jacques Baillargeon
Citation: Public Health Reports, 135(1), 114-123
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
view details
340B Drug Discount Program: Increased Oversight Needed to Ensure Nongovernmental Hospitals Meet Eligibility Requirements
Provides an overview of the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) review of 258 nongovernmental hospitals that participate in the 340B Drug Pricing Program and their contracts with state and local governments. Evaluates the contracts to determine if they meet the eligibility requirement to serve low-income individuals. Outlines weaknesses in the Health Resources and Services Administration's review of the hospital contracts and offers six recommendations to improve the contract review process.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
view details
Health Care Workforce: Views on Expanding Medicare Graduate Medical Education Funding to Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
Describes the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Medicare Graduate Medical Education (GME) program. Provides an overview of current federal funding for physician, nurse practitioner (NP), and physician assistant (PA) training. Explores the potential benefits and challenges of expanding the Medicare GME program to include funding for graduate NP and PA training.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
view details
Indian Health Service Has Strengthened Patient Protection Policies but Must Fully Integrate Them into Practice and Organizational Culture
Explores and evaluates the current patient protection policies of the Indian Health Service (IHS) and makes recommendations. Focuses on the IHS policies implemented to prevent child sexual abuse by providers and staff.
Author(s): Joanne M. Chiedi
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
view details
Supportive Services and Caregiving for Older Rural Adults from the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
Webinar recording discusses the support and caregiving services older adults in rural areas. Highlights policy recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services.
Additional links: Audio Recording, PowerPoint Handout, Webinar Transcript
Date: 12/2019
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
view details
Making Community Health Workers (CHWs) Fundamental: New Research Strengthens the Case for State Policymakers to Include CHWs in Care Delivery Teams
Summarizes key findings from previous Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funded studies in 9 states on Community Health Workers (CHWs) interventions and their effect on diverse ethnic, racial, socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds, including rural. Offers evidence-based recommendations to help state policymakers integrate CHWs into healthcare delivery teams to improve health outcomes and reduce the cost of healthcare for individuals and populations.
Author(s): Denisse Sanchez, Sinsi Hernández-Cancio, Eliot Fishman
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
view details