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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy

Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program 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.
Type: Document
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. Also offers podcast episodes related to rural COVID-19.
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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What Is 'Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America'?
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.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organizations: HIV.gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America
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.
Type: Website
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.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Services Research & Development Service
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Defining Rural Population
Explains the major federal government definitions of rural and how they are used by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP).
Type: Website
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.
Type: Map/Mapping System
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 combating the opioid crisis. Presents resources and information for prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Reimagine Rural Health in Missouri
Summarizes the current infrastructure, workforce, access strategies and policies to strengthen the delivery of rural health in Missouri.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Missouri Hospital Association
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Idaho Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
A bureau within the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare offering information for EMS providers including resources on license applications, EMS rules and regulations, requirements for agency licensure and renewal, agency contacts and grant resources. Provides a discussion of the Idaho Community Health EMS (CHEMS) model and lists certification programs appropriate for CHEMS paramedics.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
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