Rural Health
News by Topic: Access
VA: Veterans Healing Veterans Medical Access and Scholarship Program
Federal Register
Nov 13, 2019 - Final rule from the Department of Veterans Affairs updating regulations for scholarships for certain healthcare professionals and establishing a pilot program to fund medical education of eligible veterans enrolled in covered medical schools. Includes the VA's response to comments received on the previously published proposed rule. The final rule is effective on December 13, 2019.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 12, 2019 - Discusses the Alabama Kids Count report, which identifies rural areas as having more health care disparities because of a lack of access to services. Also reports an increase in children living in poverty but an overall decrease in teen pregnancies and preventable teen deaths.
Source: Montgomery Advertiser
Nov 12, 2019 - Highlights three programs that are leveraging community health workers in order to increase healthcare access for rural Americans. These programs exhibit similar practices to maintaining their success such as promoting personal connections with patients and building relationships with their communities and other healthcare organizations.
Source: Health Payer Intelligence
Nov 12, 2019 - Highs school students in rural Colorado created the "teen wellness voucher," which provides students free and confidential counseling in order to address the high youth suicide rates in the state. The vouchers entitle teens to two, one-hour sessions with a mental health professional and are available in schools, libraries, the post office, and the local arcade.
Source: Chalkbeat
Nov 12, 2019 - Opinion article examines the role retailers can take to increase affordable, timely medical care in rural America. Author describes that the expansion of retail clinics with telehealth capabilities will provide healthcare at a low, upfront cost in a more convenient location, helping to fill the provider shortages.
Source: Forbes
Nov 12, 2019 - As one hospital ceased operations in rural Indiana, another health system took its place so the community would still have access to an emergency room. However, a battle with a health insurer over reimbursement rates could cause trouble for the hospital's longevity and the patients it serves.
Source: Indy Star
Nov 8, 2019 - Features Sangre de Cristo Hospice and Palliative Care in rural Colorado, which began as a hospice provider and expanded to provide home health when another agency shut down. Identifies how the company recruits its staff and overcomes challenges to providing care, emphasizing the importance of hiring directly within the community.
Source: Home Healthcare News
Nov 7, 2019 - Interview with Jill Guernsey de Zapien, Director of Border, Transborder, and Binational Public Health Collaborative Research at the University of Arizona. Focuses on her work to bring better healthcare to rural Arizonans and farmworkers.
Source: Cronkite News
Nov 7, 2019 - A majority of Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) are in rural parts of the country, leaving rural Americans with limited access to preventive dermatologic care and treatment. Opinion article addresses the implications of a lack of board-certified dermatologists and introduces solutions implemented at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, such as teledermatology and rural residency programs.
Source: Health Affairs
Nov 7, 2019 - A press release from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announces an update to the Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Scorecard. Updates intend to increase transparency and accountability for program outcomes by giving the public access to more information. Includes the fact sheet pertaining to the Scorecard.
Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services