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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy

Evaluation of the Initiative to Reduce Avoidable Hospitalizations among Nursing Facility Residents-Payment Reform
Third annual report evaluating a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Innovation payment model intended to reduce avoidable hospitalizations for long-term care nursing facility residents by offering incentives for the provision of in-house care to eligible residents, rather than a transfer to a hospital for treatment. Presents details on the effect of the payment model on Medicare expenditures in the participating states: Alabama, Missouri, Indiana, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania. Discusses the implication of the payment model in rural facilities.
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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State Incentive Programs that Encourage Allied Health Professionals to Provide Care for Rural and Underserved Populations
Policy brief investigating allied health incentive programs at the state level by examining their goals, policies, practices, and available data on their achievement in recruiting and retaining allied health professionals to rural and underserved areas. Nearly 70 programs were surveyed and documented that provided financial support or training opportunities for 39 different types of allied health professionals and students in return for a service commitment.
Author(s): Malaika R. Schwartz, Davis G. Patterson, Rachelle L. McCarty
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
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Demand for Broadband in Rural Areas: Implications for Universal Access
Reports on the characteristics of demand for fixed broadband among households and small businesses in rural areas and how they affect private sector infrastructure investments. Discusses the role of schools and libraries as providers of broadband service and training to rural residents, and how broadband enabled services, such as telemedicine, may encourage rural households and small businesses to adopt the technology. Highlights federal programs and policies that may increase or impede broadband demand, and offers options for the U.S. Congress to consider as it addresses rural broadband demand.
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Care Management Services in Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs): Frequently Asked Questions
Provides general information about chronic care management services, specific program requirements, detailed descriptions of billing, claims processing, and payment rules, and requirements for people who are considered part of a care management team for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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It's Time to Connect Rural Health Equity with Community and Economic Development
Discusses research on the relationship of health equity with rural and economic development. Presents resources demonstrating innovative projects to help people in rural communities live healthy lives.
Author(s): Katharine Ferguson, Katrina Badger
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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Evaluation of the Million HeartsĀ® Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Model: Second Annual Report
Evaluates the first two years of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Million Hearts Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Model to determine whether, and how, it reduces first-time strokes, heart attacks, and Medicare spending. Covers participant characteristics, including rural or urban status and organization type; implementation of the model; short- and long-term impacts on beneficiaries; and the potential mechanisms that may explain observed impacts.
Author(s): Greg Peterson, Linda Barterian, Keith Kranker, et al.
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Mathematica Policy Research
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Oversight Hearing on "Recognizing the Sacrifice: Honoring a Nation's Promise to Native Veterans" & Legislative Hearing to Receive Testimony on S. 1001 & S. 2365
Presents the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs oversight hearing on the Tribal Veterans Health Care Enhancement Act and the Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act. Features testimony from representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, and the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes.
Date: 11/2019
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
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HIV/AIDS in Rural America
Webinar recording discussing a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the HIV incidence across the country, an HHS initiative to combat the spread of HIV, and distribution of Ryan White HIV/AIDS providers in rural areas. Features presentations from representatives from the CDC, HRSA, and Medical Advocacy and Outreach.
Additional links: Audio Recording, PowerPoint Handout, Webinar Transcript
Date: 11/2019
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Reviewing the Broken Promises Report: Examining the Chronic Federal Funding Shortfalls in Indian Country
Video recording and testimony from a November 19, 2019 House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States hearing focused on the U.S. Commission on Human Rights report Broken Promises: Continuing Federal Funding Shortfall for Native Americans, which evaluated federal spending on Native American programs.
Additional links: GAO Testimony
Date: 11/2019
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States
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Intergovernmental Advisory Committee to the Federal Communications Commission Advisory Recommendation No: 2019-2 in the Matter of State, Local Tribal, and Territorial Regulatory and Other Barriers and Incentives to Telemedicine
Examines the technical infrastructure necessary for effective telemedicine delivery in state, territorial, tribal, and local (rural and urban) areas. Discusses the regulatory barriers including legislation, licensing, reimbursement, malpractice insurance, and privacy that obstruct its development and utilization, and offers recommendations addressing these barriers. Appendix A presents case studies of broadband and telehealth development in several states and territories.
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Federal Communications Commission, Intergovernmental Advisory Committee to the Federal Communications Commission
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