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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy

Oversight Hearing – Addressing the Challenges of Rural America
Recording of a March 29, 2023, House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies regarding challenges rural communities face. Discussions include access to healthcare; rural workforce development, including the healthcare workforce; telehealth; and more.
Additional links: Carrie Cochran-McClain, National Rural Health Association - Testimony, Tearsanee Davis, University of Mississippi Medical Center - Testimony, Tom Morris, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy - Testimony
Date: 03/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
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Health Care Coverage, Affordability, and Access Among Rural and Urban Adults Ages 50 to 64
Examines differences in healthcare coverage, affordability, and access trends among rural and urban adults aged 50-64 between 2012 and 2019. Explores possible factors driving healthcare coverage disparities. Offers policy recommendations to improve access to coverage and affordable healthcare among older adults, especially those in rural areas.
Author(s): Olivia Dean, Beth Carter, Robert C. Saunders, et al.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: AARP Public Policy Institute, KNG Health
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Health Equity in Indian Country: Rethinking How the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Approaches Health Equity for American Indians and Alaska Natives
Summary of three events in 2022 between the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and CMS Tribal Technical Advisory Group (TTAG) to discuss health equity within CMS programs for American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Includes recommendations for effective health equity policy to CMS generally and the CMS Framework for Health Equity 2022-2032 specifically.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Indian Health Board
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Analysis of an Innovative Approach to Target Rural Communities in Public Health Funding
Explores the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) funding to address COVID-19 in rural communities and its impact. Presents findings from interviews with federal and state officials regarding the development of this dedicated funding, its impact on state behavior and rural communities, challenges faced, and lessons learned.
Author(s): Timothy H. Callaghan, Gogoal Falia, Earl Greer, Maya Ramy, David Washburn
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly in Rural America: Policy Brief and Recommendations to the Secretary
Provides an overview of Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Discusses barriers to implementing PACE programs in rural areas and offers policy recommendations and considerations to facilitate the expansion of these programs in rural communities.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Optimizing Population-Based Total Cost of Care (PB-TCOC) Models in the Context of Alternative Payment Models (APMs) and Physician-Focused Payment Models (PFPMs)
Report from the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) summarizing findings on population-based total cost of care (PB-TCOC) payment models and the role these models can play in optimizing health care delivery and value-based transformation in the context of alternative payment models (APMs) and physician-focused payment models (PFPMs). Provides an overview of key issues relating to PB-TCOC models and value-based care transformation. Identifies areas where additional research is needed and some potential next steps. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Improving Access - NAM Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic Telehealth and Virtual Care Meeting Series
Highlights the proceedings of a meeting discussing the use of telehealth and virtual care to treat substance use disorder (SUD). Explores the effect the COVID-19 pandemic on telehealth regulation and reimbursement. Features considerations for rural communities.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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Digital Access: A Super Determinant of Health
Discusses how the digital divide intersects with health equity and behavioral health and how telehealth can bridge health disparities. Describes local, state, and federal examples of efforts to reduce the digital divide. Includes a list of funding opportunities and resources promoting broadband access.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Evaluation of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program: Final Report
Examines the effectiveness of the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) to develop community responses and create Continuums of Care (CoCs) plans for unhoused youth in urban and rural sites. Discusses engagement of youth to create local policy; networking and collaboration among child welfare, education, behavioral health, and juvenile justice agencies; and outreach services and housing interventions.
Author(s): Kathryn A. Henderson, Debra J. Rog, Harihar Bhattarai, et al.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility, Enrollment, and Renewal Policies as States Prepare for the Unwinding of the Pandemic-Era Continuous Enrollment Provision
Provides a detailed overview of state policies related to Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Covers policies related to eligibility, enrollment, and renewal. Includes information on how states are preparing for the lifting of the continuous enrollment provision. Includes data tables on state Medicaid and CHIP policies.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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