Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy
Drug Discount Program: Characteristics of Hospitals Participating and Not Participating in the 340B Program
Analyzes 2016 cost report data to describe and compare characteristics of 340B participating and non-participating hospitals, specifically examining three hospital types: Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Sole Community Hospitals (SCHs), and general acute care hospitals. Discusses trends related to decreased charity care and an increase in Medicaid expansion on 340B hospital participation.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Analyzes 2016 cost report data to describe and compare characteristics of 340B participating and non-participating hospitals, specifically examining three hospital types: Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Sole Community Hospitals (SCHs), and general acute care hospitals. Discusses trends related to decreased charity care and an increase in Medicaid expansion on 340B hospital participation.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Characteristics of the Remaining Uninsured: An Update
Compares characteristics of people who lacked health insurance in March 2015 with those of people who remained uninsured as of March 2017. Uses data from the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplements, including socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and insurance eligibility, with breakdowns by urban and rural locations.
Author(s): Linea J. Blumberg, John Holahan, Michael Karpman, Caroline Elmendorf
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Urban Institute
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Compares characteristics of people who lacked health insurance in March 2015 with those of people who remained uninsured as of March 2017. Uses data from the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplements, including socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and insurance eligibility, with breakdowns by urban and rural locations.
Author(s): Linea J. Blumberg, John Holahan, Michael Karpman, Caroline Elmendorf
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Urban Institute
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Drug Discount Program: Improvements Needed in Federal Oversight of Compliance at 340B Contract Pharmacies
Details an evaluation of HRSA's oversight of contract pharmacies participating in the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Discusses rates of compliance by contract pharmacies and HRSA's enforcement efforts.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Details an evaluation of HRSA's oversight of contract pharmacies participating in the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Discusses rates of compliance by contract pharmacies and HRSA's enforcement efforts.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Interim Final Rule on Durable Medical Equipment Fee Schedule Adjustments
Describes Medicare's method of setting payment rates for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies, and explains the reinstitution of 50/50 blended payment rates for rural and non-contiguous areas from June 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.
Author(s): Francis J. Crosson
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Describes Medicare's method of setting payment rates for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies, and explains the reinstitution of 50/50 blended payment rates for rural and non-contiguous areas from June 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.
Author(s): Francis J. Crosson
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Investing in Rural America: Bringing Progress and Economic Opportunity to Rural Communities
Provides an overview of the state of the rural economy, as well as policy proposals to revitalize rural communities. Chapter 4 covers rural infrastructure, including broadband, and chapter 7 discusses access to affordable healthcare in rural areas.
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee Democrats
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Provides an overview of the state of the rural economy, as well as policy proposals to revitalize rural communities. Chapter 4 covers rural infrastructure, including broadband, and chapter 7 discusses access to affordable healthcare in rural areas.
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee Democrats
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State Legislative Approach to Enumerating Behavioral Health Workforce Shortages: Lessons Learned in New Mexico
Describes the model developed in New Mexico (NM) as a result of the Health Care Work Force Data Collection, Analysis and Policy Act, initially enacted in 2011, to address behavioral health workforce shortages, particularly in rural areas, and the increased demand for services due to Medicaid expansion in the state. Highlights the purpose of the legislation, the development of a statewide workforce committee, policies implemented, lessons learned, and offers suggestions for other states considering legislation supporting behavioral health workforce initiatives.
Author(s): Deborah B. Altschul, Caroline A. Bonham, Martha J. Faulkner, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(6S3), S220-S229
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
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Describes the model developed in New Mexico (NM) as a result of the Health Care Work Force Data Collection, Analysis and Policy Act, initially enacted in 2011, to address behavioral health workforce shortages, particularly in rural areas, and the increased demand for services due to Medicaid expansion in the state. Highlights the purpose of the legislation, the development of a statewide workforce committee, policies implemented, lessons learned, and offers suggestions for other states considering legislation supporting behavioral health workforce initiatives.
Author(s): Deborah B. Altschul, Caroline A. Bonham, Martha J. Faulkner, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(6S3), S220-S229
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
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Estimate of Federal Payment Reductions to Hospitals Following the ACA 2010-2028: Estimates and Methodology
Examines cumulative federal payment reductions to hospitals for 2010-2028. Addresses the impact of sequestration, changes in Medicare payments for bad debt including to Critical Access Hospitals, federal Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) allotments, and other legislation affecting hospital reimbursement.
Author(s): Allen Dobson, Joan DaVanzo, Randy Haught, Phap-Hoa Luu
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: American Hospital Association, Dobson DaVanzo & Associates, Federation of American Hospitals
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Examines cumulative federal payment reductions to hospitals for 2010-2028. Addresses the impact of sequestration, changes in Medicare payments for bad debt including to Critical Access Hospitals, federal Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) allotments, and other legislation affecting hospital reimbursement.
Author(s): Allen Dobson, Joan DaVanzo, Randy Haught, Phap-Hoa Luu
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: American Hospital Association, Dobson DaVanzo & Associates, Federation of American Hospitals
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Quantifying Disparities in Accessibility and Availability of Pediatric Primary Care across Multiple States with Implications for Targeted Interventions
Examines disparities in accessing pediatric primary care for rural and urban communities and children with public versus private insurance. Uses data on accessibility and availability for children in 7 states: California, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Discusses the policy implications of the findings both generally and for the states studied.
Author(s): Monica Gentili, Pravara Harati, Nicoleta Serban, Jean O'Connor, Julie Swann
Citation: Health Services Research, 53(3), 1458-1477
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
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Examines disparities in accessing pediatric primary care for rural and urban communities and children with public versus private insurance. Uses data on accessibility and availability for children in 7 states: California, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Discusses the policy implications of the findings both generally and for the states studied.
Author(s): Monica Gentili, Pravara Harati, Nicoleta Serban, Jean O'Connor, Julie Swann
Citation: Health Services Research, 53(3), 1458-1477
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
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Impact of Nurse Practitioner Practice Regulations on Rural Population Health Outcomes
Analyzes data from Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) in eight Southeastern states to determine if clinical outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries vary by level of practice autonomy that states grant to nurse practitioners (NPs).
Author(s): Judith Ortiz, Richard Hofler, Angeline Bushy, et al.
Citation: Healthcare, 6(2), 65
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
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Analyzes data from Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) in eight Southeastern states to determine if clinical outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries vary by level of practice autonomy that states grant to nurse practitioners (NPs).
Author(s): Judith Ortiz, Richard Hofler, Angeline Bushy, et al.
Citation: Healthcare, 6(2), 65
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
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Spurring Innovation: The Role of Child Health Policy
Identifies four target areas to improve child health: Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) delivery and payment reforms; consumer digital health; precision medicine in pediatrics; and addiction and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Provides recommendations to further develop child health research and policy. Discusses removing barriers and expanding access to telehealth services to deliver care to children living in rural areas, and the rural incidence of NAS.
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: AcademyHealth
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Identifies four target areas to improve child health: Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) delivery and payment reforms; consumer digital health; precision medicine in pediatrics; and addiction and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Provides recommendations to further develop child health research and policy. Discusses removing barriers and expanding access to telehealth services to deliver care to children living in rural areas, and the rural incidence of NAS.
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: AcademyHealth
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