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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Emergency preparedness and response

Mar 14, 2024 - Funding for rural Federally Qualified Health Centers in Tennessee and across the South has been awarded for installing solar panels and battery systems. The mini grid systems will allow the facilities to continue offering critical services during power outages.
Source: WPLN, NPR
Mar 13, 2024 - A new mobile crisis response program is launching in rural Oregon, aiming to bring mental healthcare access to residents that may be far from services or without transportation. Discusses current and planned future funding, workforce challenges, and support for other first responders.
Source: KLCC, NPR
Mar 12, 2024 - Offers overview of a meeting between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, other Administration officials, and healthcare stakeholders related to the Change Healthcare cyberattack. Highlights key actions taken by the Administration to address impacts.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Mar 7, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services statement that they are coordinating efforts in response to the recent Change Healthcare cyberattack. Notes they are aware of the disparate impact on small practices and community-based providers and considering their needs in the response.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Mar 7, 2024 - Highlights recovery efforts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for communities in Texas and Oklahoma impacted by recent wildfires. Notes assistance available for farmers and other rural residents.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Mar 6, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will hold a virtual public meeting of the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) on April 17-18, 2024. The CPSTF is charged with identifying community preventive programs, services, and policies that increase healthy longevity and improve quality of life while saving money. Agenda items include deliberation on systematic reviews of the literature on substance use, public health emergency preparedness and response, oral health, and social determinants of health. Registration is required.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 5, 2024 - Announces steps being taken by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services related to the cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a unit of UnitedHealth Group. Notes flexibilities in place for claims processing, prior authorization, and electronic billing.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Mar 1, 2024 - Discusses the challenges with search and rescue in rural communities, highlighting one Alabama community. Discusses community volunteers, training, and technology to aid rescue crews.
Feb 29, 2024 - Discusses the shortage of volunteer firefighters in rural areas, noting response times for emergencies can be very long. Discusses challenges with providing emergency services on farms due to the specialized equipment and unreliable cell service. Highlights safety measures on farms that can reduce the number of emergencies.
Source: Ambrook Research
Jan 19, 2024 - Notice from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) describing the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program application process, deadlines, and award selection criteria for fiscal year 2023. The AFG program awards grants directly to fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations, and state fire training academies to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and fire-related hazards. The application period opens on January 29, 2024. Applications are due by March 8, 2024.
Source: Federal Register