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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy

The Future of the Frontier Extended Stay Clinic
Describes the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) Frontier Extended Stay Clinic (FESC) demonstration project. Identifies the successes and challenges, and discusses the financial sustainability of the FESC model. Includes policy recommendations and lessons learned.
Author(s): Susan Wilger, Saskia Van Hecke
Date: 02/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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The Extender Policies: What Are They and How Should They Continue Under a Permanent SGR Repeal Landscape
Provides resources from the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on Medicare extender policies to determine whether they should be made permanent. Addresses payment adjustments for low-volume hospitals, rural areas, and more. Includes statements from the Rural Hospital Coalition, American Hospital Association, and National Rural Health Association on the impact of these payment policies on rural hospitals and rural beneficiaries.
Additional links: Statement of the American Hospital Association, Statement of the National Rural Health Association, Statement of the Rural Hospital Coalition, Transcript
Date: 01/2014
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health
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The Intersection of Rural Poverty and Federal Human Services Programs
Discusses challenges faced by federal human services programs in addressing rural poverty. Highlights two case studies offering different approaches for meeting these challenges, one from Montana and one from Colorado.
Date: 01/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Rural Implications of the Affordable Care Act Outreach, Education, and Enrollment
Outlines opportunities for rural communities to benefit from the Affordable Care Act and discusses the importance of efforts aimed at furthering outreach, education, and enrollment in health insurance in rural areas.
Date: 01/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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2012 Rural Medicare Advantage Quality Ratings and Bonus Payments
Analyzes differences in rural Medicare Advantage (MA) quality ratings and payments and suggests reasons why quality ratings vary by geography. Compares the quality rating of MA plans in rural areas to urban areas and discusses differences in the composition of MA market enrollment and plan availability. Addresses the potential impact of quality bonus payments on MA plan quality.
Author(s): Leah Kemper, Abigail R. Barker, Timothy D. McBride, Keith Mueller
Date: 01/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Compacts of Free Association: Actions Needed to Improve Oversight and Accountability of U.S. Assistance to Micronesia and the Marshall Islands
Testimony before a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee regarding Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands spending of compact sector funds in the education and health sectors for fiscal years 2007 through 2011.
Additional links: Full Report
Author(s): David Gootnick
Date: 01/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Indian Health Care: Impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Summarizes key changes made in the re-authorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA), including the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions related to American Indians and Alaska Natives enrolled in and receiving services from Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Date: 01/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Not Enough Primary-Care Doctors? Try Missouri's Prescription
Describes how medical school graduates are legally allowed to work as assistant physicians in rural and underserved areas of Missouri without having completed a residency program. Discusses legislation that allows medical school graduates to become practicing assistant physicians and practice requirements.
Author(s): Arthur L. Caplan
Citation: Missouri Medicine, 111(6), 474-475
Date: 2014
Type: Document
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The Role of Community Health Centers in Assessing the Social Determinants of Health for Planning and Policy: The Example of Frontier New Mexico
Discusses the use of the Tool for Health and Resilience in Vulnerable Environments (THRIVE) by a frontier-based community health center in New Mexico for evaluating and addressing social determinants of health.
Author(s): Sean Bruna, Lisa Cacari Stone, Susan Wilger, Jeremy Cantor, Carolina Guzman
Citation: Journal of Ambulatory Care Management, 37(3), 258-268
Date: 2014
Type: Document
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Revisiting Poverty in Rural America
Shows the geography of poverty in the U.S. and describes how rural communities helped shape the federal response to poverty in the 50 years since the War on Poverty.
Author(s): James P. Ziliak
Date: 2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
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