Rural Health Policy – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Health Policy.
CMS Framework for Health Equity 2022–2032
Report outlines the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services plan for improving health equity across the U.S. for racial and ethnic communities, rural communities, people with disabilities, and those living in poverty. Details a 5 priority framework emphasizing data collections and standardization; language access and health literacy; and reducing health disparities through increasing healthcare capacity and workforce, among others.
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Report outlines the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services plan for improving health equity across the U.S. for racial and ethnic communities, rural communities, people with disabilities, and those living in poverty. Details a 5 priority framework emphasizing data collections and standardization; language access and health literacy; and reducing health disparities through increasing healthcare capacity and workforce, among others.
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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HHS Strategic Plan FY 2022 - 2026
Identifies the strategic goals and objectives of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Addresses issues impacting rural and tribal communities, including health disparities, healthcare access, and health workforce. Discusses maternal mortality, emergency preparedness, and other specific concerns.
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Identifies the strategic goals and objectives of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Addresses issues impacting rural and tribal communities, including health disparities, healthcare access, and health workforce. Discusses maternal mortality, emergency preparedness, and other specific concerns.
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Rural Quality of Life: Opportunities and Challenges for the Rural Care Economy
Recording of a March 22, 2022, hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on challenges and opportunities for the care economy in rural communities. Features testimony from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Rural Development, the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center, and Southeast Health Group, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in rural La Junta, Colorado.
Additional links: Carrie Henning-Smith, University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center - Testimony, Joseph Carrica, Southeast Health Group - Testimony
Date: 03/2022
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
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Recording of a March 22, 2022, hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on challenges and opportunities for the care economy in rural communities. Features testimony from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Rural Development, the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center, and Southeast Health Group, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in rural La Junta, Colorado.
Additional links: Carrie Henning-Smith, University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center - Testimony, Joseph Carrica, Southeast Health Group - Testimony
Date: 03/2022
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
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How States Can Expand Health Care Access in Rural Communities
Discusses policy options states could use to increase access to care and the supply of healthcare providers in rural areas. Covers financial assistance programs for medical and dental education; malpractice reform; scope of practice changes for advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and dental health aide therapists; telemedicine parity; and mobile clinics.
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for American Progress
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Discusses policy options states could use to increase access to care and the supply of healthcare providers in rural areas. Covers financial assistance programs for medical and dental education; malpractice reform; scope of practice changes for advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and dental health aide therapists; telemedicine parity; and mobile clinics.
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for American Progress
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Federal Plan for Equitable Long-Term Recovery and Resilience for Social, Behavioral, and Community Health
Details an approach for federal agencies to cooperatively strengthen the conditions necessary to improve individual and community resilience and well-being nationwide. Designed to guide long-term investment using the Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being Framework. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Details an approach for federal agencies to cooperatively strengthen the conditions necessary to improve individual and community resilience and well-being nationwide. Designed to guide long-term investment using the Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being Framework. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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The Effectiveness of Policies to Improve Primary Care Access for Underserved Populations: An Assessment of the Literature
Review of research literature to assess whether policy initiatives targeting primary care access for rural and underserved populations has been effective in reducing healthcare disparities. Initiatives considered include availability, accessibility, accommodation, affordability, and acceptability.
Additional links: Fact Sheet: Alleviating Structural Barriers to Obtaining Primary Care Services, Fact Sheet: Bringing Outpatient Clinics into Communities, Fact Sheet: Ensuring Comfort and Communication in the Delivery of Primary Care Services, Fact Sheet: Increasing the Availability of Primary Care Clinicians, Fact Sheet: Removing Financial Barriers to Primary Care
Author(s): Maanasa Kona, Megan Houston, Nia Gooding
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
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Review of research literature to assess whether policy initiatives targeting primary care access for rural and underserved populations has been effective in reducing healthcare disparities. Initiatives considered include availability, accessibility, accommodation, affordability, and acceptability.
Additional links: Fact Sheet: Alleviating Structural Barriers to Obtaining Primary Care Services, Fact Sheet: Bringing Outpatient Clinics into Communities, Fact Sheet: Ensuring Comfort and Communication in the Delivery of Primary Care Services, Fact Sheet: Increasing the Availability of Primary Care Clinicians, Fact Sheet: Removing Financial Barriers to Primary Care
Author(s): Maanasa Kona, Megan Houston, Nia Gooding
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
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Aging in Place in Rural America: Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Initiatives
Webinar presenting results from studies investigating challenges, opportunities, and policy implications for older adults who are aging in place in rural areas. Examines nationally-representative survey data, offers a content analysis of state-level policies and initiatives, and describes a survey of representatives of state offices of rural health. Features statistics showing differences among rural and urban older adults in areas including educational attainment, income, housing type and ownership, unmet mobility needs, and social cohesion.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Megan Lahr
Date: 01/2022
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Health Research Gateway, University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Webinar presenting results from studies investigating challenges, opportunities, and policy implications for older adults who are aging in place in rural areas. Examines nationally-representative survey data, offers a content analysis of state-level policies and initiatives, and describes a survey of representatives of state offices of rural health. Features statistics showing differences among rural and urban older adults in areas including educational attainment, income, housing type and ownership, unmet mobility needs, and social cohesion.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Megan Lahr
Date: 01/2022
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Health Research Gateway, University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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ASTHO Legislative Prospectus: Rural Health
Discusses legislative trends to support rural healthcare access and facilities. Includes information on developing loan repayment programs for medical providers in rural areas, supporting behavioral healthcare, expanding telehealth, and creating broadband infrastructure.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
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Discusses legislative trends to support rural healthcare access and facilities. Includes information on developing loan repayment programs for medical providers in rural areas, supporting behavioral healthcare, expanding telehealth, and creating broadband infrastructure.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
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Public Health Forward: Modernizing the U.S. Public Health System
Provides a framework for policymakers and public health officials to guide investments and decision-making to implement a public health system to address challenges beyond the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on equity. Covers six core areas: financing, laws and governance, community engagement, partnerships, workforce, and data and information technology. Highlights challenges and considerations for rural communities and Tribal nations throughout.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Provides a framework for policymakers and public health officials to guide investments and decision-making to implement a public health system to address challenges beyond the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on equity. Covers six core areas: financing, laws and governance, community engagement, partnerships, workforce, and data and information technology. Highlights challenges and considerations for rural communities and Tribal nations throughout.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Funding for USDA Rural Broadband Programs
Provides an overview of funding included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58) for two rural broadband-related programs: the ReConnect Program and the Rural Broadband Program. Compares administrative provisions and requirements for the ReConnect Program with requirements for previous rounds of funding.
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Provides an overview of funding included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58) for two rural broadband-related programs: the ReConnect Program and the Rural Broadband Program. Compares administrative provisions and requirements for the ReConnect Program with requirements for previous rounds of funding.
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Last Updated: 4/22/2024