Rural Health Policy – News
News stories from the past 60 days.
Nov 8, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing the establishment of the CMS Health Equity Advisory Committee (HEAC) to advise and make recommendations to CMS on the identification and resolution of systemic barriers to accessing CMS programs that hinder the quality of care for beneficiaries and consumers. The Committee will focus on health disparities in underserved communities, which are populations sharing a particular characteristic or geography, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life. CMS is also requesting nominations for membership on the HEAC. Nominations are due by December 12, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 1, 2024 - Announcement of new policies included in the 2025 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center final rule. Describes updated health and safety requirements for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to improve and expand access to quality maternal and behavioral health care. Notes policy changes including updated payment rates, staffing standards, quality assessments, training requirements, and expanded coverage for services provided outside the "four walls" of behavioral health clinics and clinics located in rural areas.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Nov 1, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ACS) payment system for calendar year 2025. This rule also updates the requirements for the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) Program, Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Program, Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program, and Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program and finalizes updates to the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for obstetrical services. Among other things, this rule summarizes comments received in response to an information request on potential modifications to the Safety of Care measure group in the Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating methodology. This rule also finalizes exceptions to the Medicaid clinic services benefit four walls requirement for Indian Health Service and Tribal clinics, and, at state option, for behavioral health clinics and clinics located in rural areas. The provisions of this rule are effective January 1, 2025. Comments are due by December 31, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 28, 2024 - Announces partnership between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and StoryCorps to record stories related to rural health triumphs and challenges in honor of National Rural Health Day. Conversations will be recorded virtually in early November and archived at the Library of Congress. Registration is open now and recording slots are available on a first come, first served basis.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Oct 7, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP) is seeking feedback on the development of four strategic plans for the United States for 2026-2030: 1) National HIV/AIDS Strategy; 2) Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan; 3) Vaccines National Strategic Plan; and 4) Viral Hepatitis National Strategic Plan. The strategic plans will serve as national roadmaps for a broad range of constituents to help prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure disease; improve health outcomes; reduce health disparities and inequities; and advance research and technology. Comments are due by December 6, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 24, 2024 - Highlights the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Office of Rural Health (ORH) and their recent five-year strategic plan. Discusses rural health in Georgia and nationally including health disparities, data challenges, and goals for the CDC ORH.
Source: GPB News, PBS, NPR
FCC: Promoting Telehealth in Rural America
Federal Register
Sep 24, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announcing the approval of an information collection associated with the rules outlined in the January 11, 2024, final rule and the FCC's Third Report and Order. Amendments to sections 54.601(b) and (c) (amendatory instruction 2) and 54.622(e)(1)(i) through (ii) and (i)(3)(iv) (amendatory instruction 4) are effective September 24, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Last Updated: 11/8/2024