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Rural Health Information Hub

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Rural Health
News by Topic: Access

Jul 23, 2021 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) on August 27, 2021, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The meeting will include information on federal efforts related to serious mental illness (SMI) and serious emotional disturbance (SED). The agenda and information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the SAMHSA website one week before the meeting.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 22, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $100 million to 1,980 Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) to support COVID-19 vaccination outreach efforts in medically underserved rural communities. Funding is provided by the American Rescue Plan and distributed through the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Rural Health Clinic Vaccine Confidence (RHCVC) Program.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Jul 20, 2021 - Summarizes a report that revealed that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 42% of adults in rural areas did not receive dental care compared to a third of adults in urban areas. Describes how people of color and low-income residents in rural areas were also less likely to see a dentist in 2019. Explores how the lack of dentists in rural North Carolina make it difficult for residents to receive care.
Source: North Carolina Health News
Jul 19, 2021 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a new rule to address the health equity gap, including actions to promote price transparency, improve access to emergency care in rural areas, increase Medicare beneficiary safety, and use lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to improve patient experiences and outcomes.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Jul 16, 2021 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced the availability of $103 million in American Rescue Plan funding to address burnout and promote mental health among the health workforce. Over a three-year period, funding will aid healthcare providers in addressing workplace stress and demands exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on the needs in rural and underserved communities.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Jul 15, 2021 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded nearly $144 million in American Rescue Plan funding to 102 HRSA Health Center Program look-alikes (LALs). Funds will help LALs mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and enhance healthcare services and infrastructure in underserved communities across the U.S.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Jul 14, 2021 - Features rural communities in central Appalachia whose hospitals have shut down. Discusses the impacts of these closures on residents' well-being and the local economy and highlights initiatives that are working to address social determinants of health and gaps in healthcare in rural Appalachian communities. (May require a free account to view full article).
Source: National Geographic
Jul 14, 2021 - Explores two small towns in Nebraska and their solutions to the lack of affordable child care in rural communities. Features a public school that cares for children from 6-weeks-old through age 2, with a pre-K program for ages 3-4, and offers financial aid for families in need. Highlights a statewide initiative called Communities for Kids that helps small towns develop solutions to address their unique child care needs.
Source: PBS
Jul 13, 2021 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a rule in CMS's annual Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) that recommends steps to build upon Medicare and improve health equity gaps worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations include expanding access to behavioral healthcare via telehealth; enhancing diabetes prevention programs; and improving the Quality Payment Program (QPP).
Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Jul 13, 2021 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provided $398 million in funding through the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) to 1,540 small rural hospitals. State Offices of Rural Health will distribute the funds to aid rural hospitals in expanding their COVID-19 testing capacity and mitigation efforts.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services