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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy

2018 Farm Bill Primer: Rural Development Programs
Highlights the new rural development provisions included in the 2018 Farm Bill, which address rural access to high-speed broadband, rural health, loans and grants for rural water and wastewater infrastructure, economic development, and more. Outlines changes in how rural is defined for these programs.
Date: 05/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Briefing - Expanding the Role of Nurse Practitioners
Webinar recording and slides on expanding the role of nurse practitioners, focusing on models from Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico, and what California can learn from them. Includes information on nurse practitioners providing care in rural and frontier areas, as well as what they are doing to help combat the opioid epidemic.
Date: 05/2019
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: California Health Care Foundation
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LIFT America: Modernizing Our Infrastructure for the Future
Recording of a hearing from the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce regarding the Leading Infrastructure For Tomorrow's America Act (The LIFT America Act), which addresses access to broadband; the healthcare, energy, transportation, and water infrastructures; public health; and more. Includes testimonies from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Trust for America's Health, U.S. Conference of Mayors, American Enterprise Institute, BlueGreen Alliance, and the former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner.
Additional links: Christopher Guith Testimony, Daniel Lyons Testimony, Jessica Eckdish Testimony, John Auerbach Testimony, Mignon Clyburn Testimony
Date: 05/2019
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
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Opioids in Appalachia: The Role of Counties in Reversing a Regional Epidemic
Details the state of the opioid epidemic in Appalachia and presents recommendations to help county leaders respond to the opioid crisis. Features individual county case studies highlighting the challenges and strategies in addressing the opioid crisis.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 05/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Counties
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The Special Diabetes Program for Indians: Estimates of Medicare Savings
Examines the potential Medicare savings due to the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) efforts in providing diabetes prevention and treatment services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. Focuses on diabetes prevalence and end-stage renal disease related to diabetes. Appendix II includes additional information about the SDPI.
Date: 05/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Opportunities to Advance Complex Care in Rural and Frontier Areas
Examines obstacles rural and frontier healthcare organizations face in providing complex care based on interviews with experts around the U.S. Focuses on rural social determinants of health, workforce shortages, and rural community relationships. Includes examples of models related to community collaboration, care coordination, social determinants of health, the health workforce, technology, and payment.
Author(s): Jim Lloyd
Date: 05/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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An Update on the President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis: One Year Later
Report details a one year update to the Trump Administration President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis. Highlighted the commission's accomplishments and examined its initial objectives. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 05/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: The White House
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Oversight Hearing on "The President's FY2020 Budget Request for Indian Programs"
Provides a recording of a U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing on the President's Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 budget request for Indian programs, including the Indian Health Service. Includes testimony from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Service, National Congress of American Indians, and the National Indian Health Board.
Additional links: Chris Buchanan Testimony, Jefferson Keel Testimony, National Indian Health Board Testimony
Date: 05/2019
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
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Statement of Chairman Ajit Pai, Federal Communications Commission: Hearing on the FCC's Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request
Offers a statement from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman on the 2020 FCC budget at a hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcomittee on Financial Services and General Government. Addresses federal investments in rural broadband and the rural healthcare program, the impact of those investments, and future plans.
Date: 05/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Federal Communications Commission, Senate Committee on Appropriations
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National Security Subcommittee Hearing: Veteran and Active-Duty Military Suicides
Provides a recording of a U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on veteran and active-duty service member suicides. Addresses efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD) to prevent suicides as well as the roles of mental health and crisis support groups, local communities, and veterans advocacy organizations. Includes some discussion related to rural. Features testimonies from the Veterans Health Administration, National Director of Suicide Prevention, the U.S. Department of Defense Mental Health Programs and Defense Suicide Prevention Office, and RAND Corporation.
Additional links: Richard Stone Testimony
Date: 05/2019
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: Committee on Oversight and Reform, U.S. House of Representatives
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