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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy

Rural Health on Life Support - Episode Three: Medicaid Unwinding
Podcast episode discussing the role of Medicaid in providing health insurance in rural areas. Covers the potential impact of Medicaid cuts on rural areas, the impact of Medicaid expansion on pediatric and maternal outcomes, and Medicaid unwinding after the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Date: 07/2023
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: Impact! Communications, Inc.
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2021 Quality Payment Program Experience Report
Reports on the clinician experience for those participating in the Quality Payment Program in 2021. Presents data on Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligibility and participation rates for clinicians in small practices and rural areas, as well as their mean payment adjustment scores.
Date: 07/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Interim CMS Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Rural Location Determinations Due to Census Bureau (CB) Regulatory Changes
Describes how 2022 Census Bureau changes to urban and rural definitions impact the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) eligibility determinations. Details the interim process the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will use for making RHC rural location determinations.
Date: 07/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Provision of Social Care Services by US Hospitals
Explores the extent to which social care services are provided by hospitals. Analyzes data from the 2018 American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Survey and Community Benefit Insight to identify the number and type of social care services provided by hospitals. Examines whether community and hospital characteristics, including bed size, system affiliation, rurality, neighborhood median income, and state community benefit requirements, are associated with these services.
Author(s): Bradley Iott, Denise Anthony
Citation: The Milbank Quarterly, 101(2), 601-635
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
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Changes in Buprenorphine Visits in Frontier and Remote Locations: Effects of the SARS-COV-2 Pandemic
Evaluated patient appointments offering buprenorphine prescriptions in the 55 weeks before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to determine the impact of the pandemic and pandemic-era policies on buprenorphine access for frontier residents in the Great Plains region.
Author(s): Lisa M. McFadden
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, 7, 100155
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
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Arkansas State Plan on Aging: Fiscal Years 2024-2027
Provides direction for long-term care efforts in the state of Arkansas. Focuses on implementation of the Older American Act (OAA), COVID-19 recovery, equity, access to home and community-based services, and caregiving infrastructure. Highlights population data on rural Arkansas citizens and rural-specific priorities.
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Arkansas Department of Human Services
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The Alaska State Plan for Senior Services FFY 2024 - FFY 2027
Provides an analysis of a statewide initiative to identify the issues and needs of seniors in Alaska to guide the development of senior health and human services in the state. Discusses the demographic trends and needs of this population based on ongoing needs assessment activities. Identifies specific goals, objectives, and performance measures developed by the State Plan for Senior Services Advisory Committee for FFY 2024-2027.
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Department of Health
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Nursing Home Staffing Study: Comprehensive Report
Examines the level and type of staffing needed to promote acceptable nursing home quality and safety. Explores the potential implications and feasibility of increased staffing and costs to nursing homes. Presents four options for minimum staffing requirements and their cost, quality, and safety impacts. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Additional links: Literature Review Results Table, State Minimum Staffing Requirement
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Abt Associates, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Impact of Higher Payments for Rural Home Health Episodes on Rehospitalizations
Examines the impact of home health rural add-on payments on beneficiary outcomes, specifically on rehospitalizations. Uses Medicare data from 2007 to 2014 to compare rehospitalizations between rural and urban post-acute home health episodes before and after the implementation of the add-on payments in 2010. Discusses the implications of the findings on home health payment policy.
Author(s): Lacey Loomer, Momotazur Rahman, Tracy M. Mroz, Pedro L. Gozalo, Vincent Mor
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(3), 604-610
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
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Telehealth in Michigan: Insights and Data for Effective Policymaking
Examines telehealth usage in Michigan for the purpose of policymaking. Evaluates the impact of expanding telehealth in rural Michigan, usage by Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics, broadband, and more. Suggests policy recommendations including for issues in rural telehealth.
Author(s): Chad Ellimoottil, Ziwei Zhu, Xinwei Hi, Monica Van Til
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Ethel & James Flinn Foundation, Michigan Health Endowment Fund
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