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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Technology for health and human services

Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Trials Costs to Patients
Examines the direct and indirect costs of COVID-19 clinical trial participation to patients and the impact of utilizing remote technologies. Presents an environmental scan of articles published between 2010 and 2023 and discusses barriers to clinical trial participation experienced by underrepresented and rural populations.
Author(s): Keri Calkins, Emily Crabtree, Emily Harrison, Nyna Williams, Kirsten Barrett
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Mathematica
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Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP/ONC)
Provides an overview of the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP/ONC) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Describes ASTP/ONC focus areas, statutory authorities, funding, and select policy considerations.
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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USDA Rural Development: Together, America Prospers
Provides an overview of USDA Rural Development's mission and investments, highlighting programs and initiatives related to rural economic development, housing, and infrastructure. Discusses quality of life and healthcare needs in rural communities.
Date: 02/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Rural Development
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Nursing at an Inflection Point: Creating Systems of Care that Support and Value the Contributions of Nurses: 20th Annual Report to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Congress
Presents policy and programmatic recommendations to address valuing the impact of nursing care on patient outcomes, strengthening academic-practice partnerships, removing practice barriers for advanced practice registered nursing, and supporting the infusion of technology of nursing education and practice. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice
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A Summary of State Innovation Models (SIM) Evaluation Results Across 17 States (2013-2020)
Summarizes evaluation results of the State Innovation Models (SIM), which examined the ability of 17 state governments to implement and test innovative value-based payment (VBP) healthcare models across multiple payers between 2013 and 2020. Presents findings regarding the implementation and impact of 29 delivery and payment models, including patient-centered medical homes, accountable care organizations, behavioral health integration, and more. Covers state contracting and consensus building, practice transformation, pediatric care, behavioral healthcare, beneficiary and provider perspectives, and more. Includes a section on payment model designs tailored to unique state needs, including rural populations, as well as rural references throughout.
Additional links: A Summary of State Innovation Models (SIM): Focus on State-Led Transformation - Findings at a Glance, Executive Summary, Findings at a Glance
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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The Latest HIPAA Requirements - A Check-In on Your RHC's Compliance
Recording of a January 14, 2025, webinar on HIPAA compliance for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Covers HIPAA related legislation, HIPAA-related complaints and investigations by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and new regulations and proposed rules related to patient privacy. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Maximizing the Value of Remote Patient Monitoring
Provides a brief description of the remote patient monitoring landscape. Discusses four areas policymakers could focus on to improve the effectiveness and accessibility of remote patient monitoring.
Author(s): Maya Sandalow, Julia Harris
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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USDA Rural Development 2024 Accomplishments in Virginia
Describes U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development projects in Virginia in 2024. Includes information about support for rural healthcare facilities, education, and workforce.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Rural Development
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Provider-to-Provider Telemedicine for Sepsis Is Used Less Frequently in Communities with High Social Vulnerability
Examines the relationship between provider-to-provider emergency department-based telehealth consultation (tele-ED) and the prevalence of sepsis in counties with elevated social vulnerability index (SVI) scores. Analyzes 2016-2019 data from 1191 patients treated in rural, Midwestern EDs, with breakdowns according to patient, provider, hospital, and county characteristics. Discusses the relationship between SVI scores and tele-ED use.
Author(s): Kevin J. Tu, J. Priyanka Vakkalanka, Uche E. Okoro, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e12861
Date: 2025
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2024 Communications Marketplace Report
Examines the state of competition across the broader communications marketplace, as well as laws, regulations, regulatory practices, or marketplace practices that pose a barrier to competitive entry and expansion of the marketplace. Includes data on tribal and rural areas throughout, including trends in broadband adoption and the percentage of households with multiple provider options between 2020-2023.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Federal Communications Commission
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