RHIhub This Week - January 8, 2025
Medical Debt and Its Impact on Rural Patients and Providers, with Carrie Henning-SmithCheck out our latest episode featuring Carrie Henning-Smith, PhD, co-director of the Rural Health Research Center at the University of Minnesota, in a discussion about the prevalence of and difficulties caused by medical debt for both rural patients and providers. |
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Jan 5, 2025 -- Provides an overview of new research led by the University of Washington that found higher rates of menopause symptoms among rural women compared to their urban counterparts. Discusses possible contributing factors including lifestyle differences and long travel times to access care. Features the perspective of a rural nurse practitioner on changing attitudes and increased interest among her patients in menopause care. Source: The Spokesman-Review Signed into Law: Senator Hassan and Colleagues' Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Veterans' Health Care and Benefits Jan 3, 2025 -- Describes new bipartisan legislation improving access to healthcare for veterans related to healthcare at home, benefits for surviving spouses, mental health support for family caregivers, mammography, and more. Includes a pilot program for assisted living services for rural and other veterans. Source: Office of Senator Maggie Hassan States Help Child Care Centers Expand in Bid To Create More Slots, Lower Prices Jan 3, 2025 -- Describes the economic and workforce impacts of widespread childcare shortages and efforts by state lawmakers to support providers. Highlights legislative efforts to support growth in rural child care capacity, including a Nebraska grant program that supports the provision of child care services in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Source: Stateline Federal RegisterHHS: Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity Tribal Advisory Committee; Solicitation of Nominations for DelegatesJan 8, 2025 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) is accepting nominations of candidates to serve as primary and alternate delegates for the Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity Tribal Advisory Committee (CIIHE TAC). CIIHE TAC delegates must be elected tribal officials from a federally recognized tribe acting in their official capacity or individuals designated by an elected tribal official. There are vacancies for all IHS areas, except the Navajo and Tucson Areas. Nomination letters are encouraged by January 17, 2024, but will continue to accept nominations until all primary and alternate delegate positions are filled. Source: Federal Register GAO: Request for Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) Nominations Jan 7, 2025 -- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is accepting nominations for appointment to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) by February 7, 2025. Appointments are effective May 2025. Source: Federal Register GAO: Request for Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) Nominations Jan 2, 2025 -- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is accepting nominations for appointment to the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC). Appointments are effective May 2025. Letters of nomination and resumes are due by January 28, 2025. Source: Federal Register |
Funding for initiatives and programs designed to increase awareness about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as a serious lung disease and a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Applications from rural communities will receive special consideration. Geographic coverage: Nationwide Letter of Intent (Required): Jan 21, 2025 Application Deadline: Feb 11, 2025 Sponsors: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program Grants for qualified nonprofit organizations and tribes to create a revolving loan fund to increase access to clean, reliable water and septic systems for households in eligible rural areas. Geographic coverage: Nationwide Application Deadline: Mar 3, 2025 Sponsors: U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Utilities Service Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program Grants Grants to help rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other (and the world) overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. Projects that promote equity and economic opportunity in rural America are encouraged. Geographic coverage: Nationwide Application Deadline: Mar 6, 2025 Sponsors: U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development, USDA Rural Utilities Service Strengthening Vaccine-Preventable Disease Prevention and Response Funding to public health systems to protect people and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases by equitably increasing access, confidence, and demand for vaccines. Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories Application Deadline: Mar 13, 2025 Sponsors: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Access to Justice Prize: Closing the Rural Justice Gap Prize competition designed to advance innovative solutions that expand access to justice within rural jurisdictions and communities. Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories Application Deadline: Mar 31, 2025 Sponsors: Office for Access to Justice, U.S. Department of Justice Grain Bin Rescue Equipment and Training Contest Awards for rural emergency first responders that include grain rescue tubes and hands-on rescue training. Geographic coverage: Nationwide Application Deadline: Apr 30, 2025 Sponsors: KC Supply Company, National Education Center for Agricultural Safety, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company Mary Kay Domestic Violence Shelter Grant Program Grants to support domestic violence shelters. The Foundation will award a grant to at least one domestic violence shelter in every state that applies, and many grants have gone to rural areas. Geographic coverage: Nationwide Application Deadline: Apr 30, 2025 Sponsor: The Mary Kay Foundation Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Firearm Injury and Mortality Prevention Research Notice of Special Interest for research to improve understanding of the determinants of firearm injury; the identification of those at risk of firearm injury; the development, piloting, and testing of innovative interventions to prevent firearm injury and mortality; and the examination of approaches to improve the implementation of existing, evidence-based interventions to prevent firearm injury and mortality. Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories Application Deadline: Feb 5, 2026 Sponsors: National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute on Aging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services The Role of Work in Health Disparities in the U.S. (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) Grants for innovative population-based research in how work or occupation influences health outcomes and health status among health disparity populations and how work functions as a social determinant of health. Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories Application Deadline: Jan 8, 2028 Sponsors: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services American Indian Public Health Resource Center Technical Assistance Technical assistance for tribes to improve health systems, access to services, and health outcomes in rural, impoverished communities. Geographic coverage: Nationwide Applications accepted on an ongoing basis Sponsor: American Indian Public Health Resource Center Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Program 2-year technical assistance program for rural hospitals to address financial and operational challenges and help maintain essential health services in rural communities. Geographic coverage: Nationwide Applications accepted on an ongoing basis Sponsor: Georgia Southern University Center for Public Health Practice and Research |
Presents findings of a survey capturing rural broadband and internet availability data as reported by 228 internet companies that responded to NTCA's survey. Describes technologies used to provide broadband services, broadband availability and subscription rates, anchor institutions, network deployment progress, supply chain challenges, barriers to widespread fiber deployment, and more. Sponsoring organization: NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association Date: 12/2024 Associations Between Rural Hospital Closures and Acute and Post-Acute Care Access and Outcomes Examines the impact of rural hospital closures on hospital and post-acute care (PAC) use and outcomes. Analyzes 32 rural hospital closures and county-level impacts on travel distances, lengths of stay at hospitals, hospital charges, PAC episodes, fall injuries and related mortality and hospitalizations, and population-level hospitalization and death rates. Includes descriptive statistics of 2014-2018 rural hospital closure status. Author(s): Geoffrey J. Hoffman, Jinkyung Ha, Zhaohui Fan, Jun Li Location: Health Services Research Date: 12/2024 Community Health Center Patients, Financing, and Services Describes health center patient characteristics, services, patient experiences, and financing changes between 2019 and 2023. Presents data on health centers in rural communities throughout. Sponsoring organization: KFF Date: 01/2025 Financial Performance Gaps Between Critical Access Hospitals and Other Acute Care Hospitals Research letter examining how system affiliation impacted hospital financial measures for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and non-CAHs between 2020 and 2022. Author(s): Christopher Whaley, Marilyn Bartlett, Ge Bai Location: JAMA Health Forum, 5(12) Date: 12/2024 The Implications of the No Surprises Act on Contract Dynamics, Negotiations, and Finances Provides feedback from insurance and healthcare stakeholders regarding the No Surprises Act (NSA), with a focus on insurer-provider dynamics, insurer and provider staffing, contract negotiations, payment rates, and the handling of advanced explanation of benefits (AEOB) provisions. Provides 2024 interview feedback from 35 stakeholders regarding the NSA and includes reflections on its impact for rural and underserved communities. Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation Date: 12/2024 The Interdisciplinary Network on Rural Population Health and Aging A collaborative of researchers facilitating research on health and aging trends for rural populations. Offers funding and data resources to support research on public health challenges for rural older adults. Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota School of Public Health Medicaid Behavioral Health Providers Delivering Most Behavioral Health Services via Telehealth Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic Issue Brief Examines the extent to which Medicaid behavioral health providers shifted their practices to mostly tele-behavioral health services during the COVID-19 pandemic through December 2021. Explores differences between specialty and non-specialty behavioral health providers, providers serving enrollees with mental health conditions versus substance use disorders, and rural and urban providers. Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation Date: 12/2024 Medicare Advantage Enrollment Update 2024 Reports on the percentage of rural Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan location and plan type, from 2014-2024. Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Date: 01/2025 Medicare Could save Billions with Comparable Access for Enrollees If Critical Access Hospital Payments for Swing-Bed Services Were Similar to Those of the Fee-for-Service Prospective Payment System Describes the use of swing beds for skilled nursing services at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and average daily Medicare reimbursement for these services from 2015 through 2020. Examines data from a sample of 100 CAHs to determine whether Medicare enrollees would have had access to the same skilled nursing services provided by CAHs at alternative facilities within a 35-mile driving distance. Compares the average daily reimbursement for skilled nursing services at CAHs and alternative facilities, as well as the potential savings to Medicare if CAHs were reimbursed for skilled nursing services under the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Prospective Payment System (PPS). Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS) Date: 12/2024 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS): 2025 MIPS Quick Start Guide for Small Practices Provides an overview of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Outlines 6 steps for small practices regarding participation in the 2025 performance year. Includes information on performance category redistribution policies for small practices. Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Date: 01/2025 Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS): 2025 Reporting MIPS Quality Measures through Medicare Part B Claims Quick Start Guide for Small Practices Provides details on how small practices can report quality measures through Medicare Part B claims measures. Highlights changes to these measures in 2025, score redistribution policies for small practices, and information for clinicians at Critical Access Hospitals. Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Date: 01/2025 Midwifery Care at Rural Hospitals in Montana and California Provides a brief overview of hospital-based maternal healthcare in rural communities. Profiles hospitals that serve rural areas in Montana and California and how they have incorporated midwives into their maternity and primary care services. Identifies opportunities and challenges to employing midwives and incorporating midwifery care that may be helpful to other rural hospitals. Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center Date: 12/2024 Physician Engagement in Addressing Health-Related Social Needs and Burnout Results of a 2022 study exploring physicians' engagement in addressing health-related social needs and its association with burnout. Supplementary material features statistics including geographic location with breakdowns by greater or less than 20% rural patient care. Additional links: Supplementary Content Author(s): Masami Tabata-Kelly, Xiaochu Hu, Michael J. Dill, et al. Location: JAMA Network Open, 7(12), e2452152 Date: 12/2024 Proximity to Cancer Rehabilitation and Exercise Oncology by Geography, Race, and Socioeconomic Status Examines the proximity to cancer rehabilitation and exercise oncology (CR/EO) programs and the health impacts of access. Utilizes 2020 American Community Survey (ACS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data to analyze 2,133 CR/EO programs, with breakdowns according to CR/EO distance, density, rural versus urban location, race/ethnicity, social deprivation index, U.S. region, and cancer incidence and mortality. Includes U.S. maps showing location of CR/EO programs and areas with or without proximity to programs. Author(s): Kathryn H. Schmitz, Kathryn Demanelis, Mary E. Crisafio, et al. Location: Cancer: An International Interdisciplinary Journal of the American Cancer Society, 131(1) Date: 01/2025 Raising Radon Awareness in Tribal Communities Provides an overview of radon awareness in tribal areas as a public health issue. Discusses radon's environmental health impacts and features programs, funding, and partnerships supporting tribal radon awareness and response. Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Rural American Hospice Insights Report: Understanding the Needs of the Rural Family Caregiver Presents findings from a survey of 400 rural family caregivers regarding their knowledge and perceptions of hospice care. Covers respondents' demographics, communication and learning preferences, awareness of and beliefs about hospice, priorities regarding hospice care, and more. Requires name, organization information, and email address to download. Sponsoring organizations: National Alliance for Care at Home, Transcend Strategy Group Date: 12/2024 Rural-Urban Differences in PACE Organization and Enrollee Characteristics Compares differences between rural and urban Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and their enrollees. Presents data on enrollment, eligibility, length of time in PACE, age, and gender. Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center Date: 01/2025 Tribal Epidemiology Centers: Strengthening American Indian and Alaska Native Public Health through Data, Collaboration, and Innovation Provides an overview of tribal epidemiology centers (TECs), focusing on their impact on the availability and quality of public health surveillance data for American Indians and Alaskan Natives. Discusses challenges with collecting data for this population and strategies TECs are using to address these issues. Offers examples of public health best practices from TECs related to cancer, behavioral health, substance use, infectious diseases, and more. Sponsoring organization: Tribal Epidemiology Centers Date: 11/2024 Water Affordability Needs Assessment: Report to Congress Reports on access to affordable, safe water across the United States. Discusses challenges faced by community water systems and household-level access challenges, and recommends policies to increase affordable water access. Highlights rural, tribal, and underserved communities throughout, including discussion of funding and program case studies. Sponsoring organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Date: 12/2024 Well-Being Interventions for Rural Health Professionals: A Scoping Review Explores the literature on rural healthcare workforce interventions aimed at addressing burnout. Highlights selection criteria and compares interventions and outcomes. Aims to identify the potential efficacy of the interventions studied. Author(s): Skye McKennon, Suzanne Fricke, Dawn DeWitt Location: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e12909 Date: 01/2025 Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Task Force: Redesigning the Health Care Delivery System to Better Meet the Needs of Youth Presents policy recommendations from 50 experts and thought leaders regarding how to maximize the potential of the U.S. healthcare system to better serve youth with behavioral health needs. Covers the behavioral health workforce, transparency and compliance with existing screening and treatment requirements, promoting integrated primary care and behavioral health services in pediatric settings, the needs of youth with the highest acuity behavioral health needs, and strengthening crisis and stabilization systems. Includes rural references and considerations throughout. Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center Date: 01/2025 |
Deadline: Jan 24, 2025 Managed Emergency Surge for Healthcare (MESH) Event Dates: Dec 1 - 3, 2025 Grapevine, TX Conference Website Call for Presentations: 2025 Iowa Rural Health Summit Deadline: Jan 24, 2025 University of Iowa College of Public Health Event Dates: Feb 28, 2025 Iowa City, IA Conference Website Call for Abstracts: 2025 Annual International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health Conference Deadline: Feb 4, 2025 International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health Event Dates: Jun 23 - 26, 2025 Portland, ME Conference Website |
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