Rural Health
News by Topic: Emergency medical services
Sep 9, 2024 - Highlights challenges with providing emergency medical services (EMS) in rural Wyoming. Discusses long response times and efforts to mitigate the associated poor outcomes, outreach and new service delivery methods, and issues related to billing and sustainability.
Source: WyoFile
Sep 4, 2024 - Provides overview of an informal network supporting aging adults in rural Glen Ullin, ND. Describes services offered by a resource coordinator, nurse practitioner, volunteer EMT crew, and local priest. Notes that the physical distance separating neighbors in some rural communities can both complicate healthcare access and lead to loneliness.
Source: NPR
Aug 27, 2024 - Analyzes Fatal Accident Report System (FARS) data to discuss traffic death comparisons for rural and urban counties. Notes reasons for the disparity including emergency response times, speed limits, and risky driving behavior.
Source: The Daily Yonder
FRNA: Public Combined Board and Board Committees Meeting
Federal Register
Aug 14, 2024 - Notice from the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) announcing a public meeting of the FirstNet Authority Board and Board Committees on August 21, 2024, from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Mountain. An agenda will be published on the FirstNet Authority website. Public attendance will be available online only.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 11, 2024 - Reports on a proposal to use ambulance vessels to address consistent access to emergency medical care issues for island communities in Maine. Discusses costs of the service, the current state of emergency medical services and healthcare access, and concerns by remote communities on the islands.
Source: The Maine Monitor
Aug 7, 2024 - Discusses the impact of heat waves in rural communities with focus on older adults and the strain on emergency services in rural Montana. Reports on rural representation in heat wave research, distance to healthcare and cooling centers, and potential home modification and outreach services.
Source: NPR, KFF Health News, Montana Public Radio
Jul 31, 2024 - Notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing: 1) changes to the Physician Fee Schedule and Medicare Part B payment policies; 2) policies for the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate program under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; 3) updates to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program expanded model; payment for dental services inextricably linked to specific covered medical services; 4) updates to drugs and biological products paid under Part B including immunosuppressive drugs and clotting factors; 5) Medicare Shared Savings Program requirements; 6) updates to the Quality Payment Program; 7) Medicare coverage of opioid use disorder services furnished by opioid treatment programs; 8) updates to policies for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); 9) electronic prescribing for controlled substances for a covered Part D drug under a prescription drug plan or an MA-PD plan; 10) updates to the Ambulance Fee Schedule regulations; 11) updates to Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule regulations; 12) updates to the diabetes payment structure and COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) flexibilities; 13) expansion of colorectal cancer screening and Hepatitis B vaccine coverage and payment; 14) establishing payment for drugs covered as additional preventive services; and 15) Medicare Parts A and B Overpayment Provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Comments are due by September 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register