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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy

State Operations Manual Appendix W - Survey Protocol, Regulations and Interpretive Guidelines for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and Swing-Beds in CAHs
Provides details from the State Operations Manual on swing beds for Critical Access Hospitals.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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AAFP Rural Health
Describes an initiative to improve rural health with a focus on the role of family physicians. Lists related resources, events, news, and more.
Sponsoring organization: American Academy of Family Physicians
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Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program: Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals Calendar Year 2024 Hardship Exception Fact Sheet
Provides information on the hardship exemptions for eligible hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) under the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program. Includes information on how to apply for it in order to avoid negative payment adjustments.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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AHA's Rural Podcast Series
Podcast episodes highlighting rural health challenges and models for addressing those challenges. Includes "Community Cornerstones: Conversations with Rural Hospitals in America" and "AHA's Rural Report Podcast Series," based on the 2019 American Hospital Association publication Rural Report: Challenges Facing Rural Communities and the Roadmap to Ensure Local Access to High-Quality, Affordable Care.
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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What Is 'Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S.'?
Provides an overview of the plan to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. that includes background information, goals, and discussion of the 3 different phases of the plan, one of which includes a focus on the 7 states with disproportionately higher HIV diagnoses located in rural areas. Details key strategies of the plan and anticipated challenges.
Sponsoring organizations: HIV.gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S.
Provides information on the plan to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. Highlights key strategies of the plan and related federal resources. Discusses the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) role in the plan.
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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HSR&D News
Presents the latest news, publications, and monthly features pertaining to research and development from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Systems Research, Office of Research & Development
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How We Define Rural
Explains the major federal government definitions of rural and how they are used by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP).
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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Rural Hospital Closures Since 2010
Provides an interactive map showing hospital closures since 2010. Lists closures by year and Medicare payment type (Critical Access Hospital, Sole Community Hospital, Rural Referral Center, etc.), the number that have closed for each state, and the number that closed each year. Map shows locations of hospital closures and shades states based on whether or not they have adopted Medicaid expansion. Includes an interactive map showing Rural Emergency Hospital locations, coded by previous Medicare payment designation.
Sponsoring organization: Stroudwater Associates
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National Opioids Crisis: Help and Resources
Highlights the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services strategy to combat the opioid crisis. Shares resources and information for prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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