Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy

Bringing Broadband to Rural America: Report on a Rural Broadband Strategy
Describes a comprehensive rural broadband strategy proposed to Congress and recommendations for improving inter-agency coordination of broadband policies. Covers initiatives for assessing broadband needs in rural areas and for specific federal agency programs and resources to overcome the obstacles that currently impede rural broadband deployment.
Author(s): Michael J. Copps
Date: 05/2009
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Federal Communications Commission
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A Rural Perspective/Commentary Regarding "Transforming the Health Care Delivery System: Proposals to Improve Patient Care and Reduce Health Care Costs"
Outlines the potential impacts of proposed policy reform options from the Senate Finance Committee on rural America. Covers payment reform, long-term payment reforms, healthcare infrastructure investments, Medicare Advantage, and public program integrity.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Andrew F. Coburn, A. Clinton MacKinney, Timothy D. McBride, Rebecca T. Slifkin
Date: 05/2009
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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Private Health Insurance in Rural Areas: Challenges and Opportunities
Examines health insurance coverage by rural/urban residence. Discusses differences in premiums and benefits, and identifies policy options to increase rural private health insurance coverage.
Author(s): Erika C. Ziller, Andrew F. Coburn
Date: 04/2009
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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The 2009 Report to the Secretary: Rural Health and Human Services Issues
Report to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on issues related to rural America. Examines three key topics: workforce and community development, creating viable patient-centered medical homes, and serving at-risk children.
Date: 04/2009
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Specialty and Geographic Distribution of the Physician Workforce: What Influences Medical Student & Resident Choices?
Identifies factors that influence medical student and resident choices regarding medical specialties and location of practice. Specifically examining student and resident choices surrounding primary care specialties and serving rural and underserved populations. Discusses student debt and the impact of loan repayment and scholarship programs on practice setting choice.
Date: 03/2009
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Robert Graham Center
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Rural Health Care: Innovations in Policy and Practice
Discusses strategies being used to improve healthcare access in rural areas. Includes a section discussing philanthropic activities related to rural health.
Date: 03/2009
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Grantmakers in Health
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Closing the Health Gap of Rural Veterans: Discussion of Funding and Resource Coordination
Transcript of a March 19, 2009 hearing. Focused on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' rural health funding, spending, and resource coordination. Explores how resources are used to narrow the health disparity of veterans living in rural areas.
Date: 03/2009
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Health
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy, 2009
Offers an annual review of Medicare payment policies, with recommendations to Congress. Discusses rural aspects of Medicare payment policies throughout the report.
Date: 03/2009
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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National Advisory Committee on Rural Health & Human Services Meeting Minutes, Washington, DC, February 18-20, 2009
Reports on a meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services focused on healthcare provider integration, health workforce, and home-based care for seniors.
Date: 02/2009
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Medicare and Medicaid Participating Facilities: CMS Needs to Reexamine Its Approach for Funding State Oversight of Health Care Facilities
Evaluates the federal funding of state healthcare facility surveys, including surveys of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Analyzes funding, state workloads, and federal oversight of states' use of funds.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 02/2009
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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