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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy

Critical Access Hospital Electronic Clinical Quality Measure (eCQM) Resource List
Resource list for electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs), reflecting new materials and updates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for 2022 reporting.
Date: 08/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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2023 Flex Program Reverse Site Visit
Details the Flex Program's Reverse Site Visit meeting held on July 19-20, 2023, for Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Program grantees. Includes links to each presentation's slides. Presentations cover federal program activities, policy updates, and program examples from several states.
Date: 07/2023
Type: Website
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Resource Center, Technical Assistance and Services Center
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California Assembly Bill 2024: Report to the Legislature July 2023
Report analyzing hospital annual reports, surveys, and key informant interviews to determine the impact of California's Assembly Bill 2024 on physician recruitment and retention, discussing the benefits of employment versus contracting. Outlines how the bill addressed rural hospital-specific challenges and what challenges still remain.
Date: 07/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: California Department of Health Care Access and Information
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Improving the Social Determinants of Health in Rural America Through Medicaid Section 1115 Waivers
Policy brief discussing how Medicaid Section 1115 waivers can allow states to modify the social determinants of health in rural areas through pilot programs, delivery system reform, or enhanced benefit packages. Highlights existing Section 1115 waiver programs and recently approved and renewed waivers, as well as challenges related to improving health-related social needs and access to services in rural areas. Offers policy recommendations to improve health equity in rural areas through Medicaid programs.
Author(s): Alexandra Zimmerman
Date: 07/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Assisting Rural Consumers: Webinar Slides
Provides an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid's (CMS) frameworks for health equity and advancing health equity in rural, tribal, and geographically isolated communities. Outlines barriers for healthcare consumers living in rural areas, and offers tactics for healthcare assisters and navigators who help rural populations make healthcare decisions.
Date: 07/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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COVID-19 Impact on Dental Service Delivery, Financing, Regulation, and Education Systems: An Environmental Scan
Describes the immediate and longer-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental care delivery, regulation, education, and finance. Mentions rural throughout.
Author(s): Margaret Langelier, Aubri Kottek, Theekshana Fernando, et al.
Date: 07/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Oral Health Workforce Research Center
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Accessing Emergency Preparedness and Response Resources for Rural Communities
Webinar recording, part 3 of a 3-part series, discusses the perspectives of local, state, and federal agencies on rural emergency preparedness. Features presentations from representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Texas Department of State Health Services, and the City of Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Additional links: Audio Recording, Webinar Slides
Date: 07/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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OMB Bulletin No. 23-01, Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas
Outlines the Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, Combined Statistical Areas, and Metropolitan Division – collectively called Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) – for the United States and Puerto Rico. Reflects the 2020 Standards for Delineating Core Based Statistical Areas published by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in July 2021 and the application of those standards to Census population and journey-to-work data, including the 2020 Decennial Census, American Community Survey, and Census Population Estimates Program data. Also provides guidance on the use of these delineations.
Date: 07/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Management and Budget
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Council on Graduate Medical Education (COGME) Recruitment and Retention of General Surgeons in Rural Areas Support Letter
Letter from the Council on Graduate Medical Education (COGME) regarding two pieces of legislation: 1) the Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2023, which would require a report from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) on "access by underserved populations to general surgeons"; and 2) the Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act, which would provide financial incentives to encourage more specialty clinicians, including general surgeons, to serve in rural areas. Also proposes a new general surgery scholarship and loan repayment program based on the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) model and the establishment of a rural graduate medical education (GME) program. Provides an overview of access to general surgeons in rural areas, the legislation and proposed programs, and how these programs could help meet the need for surgeons in rural areas and improve health outcomes.
Date: 07/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Council on Graduate Medical Education
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New Mexico State-Tribal Collaboration Act Agency Report 2023
Summarizes collaboration between New Mexico state agencies and tribal nations in New Mexico regarding current public health priorities, including COVID-19, substance use disorder, homelessness, and cancer. Identifies resources available for American Indians from each New Mexico department and activities and funding for the fiscal year 2023, covering community health workers, cancer, diabetes, suicide prevention, and more.
Date: 07/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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