Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Technology for health and human services
The Future of Rural Health: Report on a Special Convening Held November 19-20, 2024
Summarizes discussions held during a November 2024 summit of rural health services delivery and finance experts that aimed to identify the needs of the rural health communities, build on existing strengths, and develop a cohesive approach to improving the health of rural residents. Describes the themes and policy options that emerged throughout the summit. Covers financing rural health services, payment policies, workforce considerations, the use of technology and data, and more.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Association, Rural Policy Research Institute, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, West Health Institute
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Summarizes discussions held during a November 2024 summit of rural health services delivery and finance experts that aimed to identify the needs of the rural health communities, build on existing strengths, and develop a cohesive approach to improving the health of rural residents. Describes the themes and policy options that emerged throughout the summit. Covers financing rural health services, payment policies, workforce considerations, the use of technology and data, and more.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Association, Rural Policy Research Institute, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, West Health Institute
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April 2025 MedPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) April 2025 meeting. Covers physician fee schedule updates and improving the accuracy of relative payment rates; structural differences between the stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP) and Medicare Advantage–Prescription Drug plan (MA–PD) markets; the utilization and delivery of Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits; the effect of Medicare Advantage on rural hospitals; paying for software technologies in Medicare; access to hospice and certain services under the hospice benefit for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease and beneficiaries with cancer; and regulations, star ratings, and fee-for-service Medicare policies aimed at improving nursing home quality.
Additional links: Exploring the Effect of Medicare Advantage on Rural Hospitals
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) April 2025 meeting. Covers physician fee schedule updates and improving the accuracy of relative payment rates; structural differences between the stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP) and Medicare Advantage–Prescription Drug plan (MA–PD) markets; the utilization and delivery of Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits; the effect of Medicare Advantage on rural hospitals; paying for software technologies in Medicare; access to hospice and certain services under the hospice benefit for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease and beneficiaries with cancer; and regulations, star ratings, and fee-for-service Medicare policies aimed at improving nursing home quality.
Additional links: Exploring the Effect of Medicare Advantage on Rural Hospitals
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Innovative Rural Hospitals Think Beyond Tradition to Improve Access to Care
Provides examples of how rural hospitals are utilizing technology to improve access to care for their patients. Discusses artificial intelligence (AI), drone delivery of medicines, nurse-run telehealth hubs, and digital front doors.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Provides examples of how rural hospitals are utilizing technology to improve access to care for their patients. Discusses artificial intelligence (AI), drone delivery of medicines, nurse-run telehealth hubs, and digital front doors.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Farm Bill Primer: Rural Development Title
Provides an overview of the rural development provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including provisions related to rural broadband, water and waste disposal, and business creation and economic development. Offers considerations Congress may consider in the 2025 reauthorization of the Farm Bill related to the ReConnect Program and rural health challenges.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Provides an overview of the rural development provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including provisions related to rural broadband, water and waste disposal, and business creation and economic development. Offers considerations Congress may consider in the 2025 reauthorization of the Farm Bill related to the ReConnect Program and rural health challenges.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Millions in US Live in Places Where Doctors Don't Practice and Telehealth Doesn't Reach
Discusses U.S. regions that experience healthcare workforce shortages and lack access to telehealth. Includes interactive county-level map showing behavioral healthcare deserts, primary care deserts, broadband deserts, dead zones, life expectancy, household income, and percentage of rural residents. Provides comparisons of chronic disease for those with and without digital access and showcases county-level dead zones in Alabama.
Author(s): Sarah Jane Tribble, Holly K. Hacker Data, Lydia Zuraw
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Discusses U.S. regions that experience healthcare workforce shortages and lack access to telehealth. Includes interactive county-level map showing behavioral healthcare deserts, primary care deserts, broadband deserts, dead zones, life expectancy, household income, and percentage of rural residents. Provides comparisons of chronic disease for those with and without digital access and showcases county-level dead zones in Alabama.
Author(s): Sarah Jane Tribble, Holly K. Hacker Data, Lydia Zuraw
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Cybersecurity Risks in Rural Healthcare Webinar
A recorded webinar that provides information about cybersecurity risks in rural areas and strategies to improve resilience and security. Subtitles available in video.
Additional links: Slides
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Wisconsin Hospital Association
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A recorded webinar that provides information about cybersecurity risks in rural areas and strategies to improve resilience and security. Subtitles available in video.
Additional links: Slides
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Wisconsin Hospital Association
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Critical Condition: Cybersecurity in Rural Hospitals with Microsoft Part 2
Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Justin Spelhaug, corporate vice president and global head of Tech for Social Impact at Microsoft Philanthropies, about how rural hospitals can protect themselves from cyber attacks, near-term risks, and building resilience over time. Provides an overview of the Microsoft cybersecurity program for rural hospitals and lessons learned from the program so far.
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Justin Spelhaug, corporate vice president and global head of Tech for Social Impact at Microsoft Philanthropies, about how rural hospitals can protect themselves from cyber attacks, near-term risks, and building resilience over time. Provides an overview of the Microsoft cybersecurity program for rural hospitals and lessons learned from the program so far.
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Critical Condition: Cybersecurity in Rural Hospitals with Microsoft Part 1
Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Justin Spelhaug, corporate vice president and global head of Tech for Social Impact at Microsoft Philanthropies, regarding rural hospitals' vulnerability to cyber attacks, impacts of cyber attacks on rural hospitals and their communities, and cyber threat trends.
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Justin Spelhaug, corporate vice president and global head of Tech for Social Impact at Microsoft Philanthropies, regarding rural hospitals' vulnerability to cyber attacks, impacts of cyber attacks on rural hospitals and their communities, and cyber threat trends.
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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The Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Landscape
Explores the current state of rural hospitals, the unique cybersecurity threats they face, and the impact of cyberattacks on rural hospitals. Discusses how technology companies can help address immediate cybersecurity risks and broader systemic challenges facing rural hospitals. Provides an overview of Microsoft's Cybersecurity for Rural Hospitals Program, including case studies and lessons learned from the program's first year.
Author(s): Erin Burchfield, Rachel Clark, Laura Kreofsky
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Microsoft
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Explores the current state of rural hospitals, the unique cybersecurity threats they face, and the impact of cyberattacks on rural hospitals. Discusses how technology companies can help address immediate cybersecurity risks and broader systemic challenges facing rural hospitals. Provides an overview of Microsoft's Cybersecurity for Rural Hospitals Program, including case studies and lessons learned from the program's first year.
Author(s): Erin Burchfield, Rachel Clark, Laura Kreofsky
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Microsoft
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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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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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