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Rural Health
News by Topic: Health conditions

Jul 26, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STD Prevention and Treatment (CHAC) will hold a public meeting on October 21-22, 2024. Agenda items include discussions re-engaging people with HIV out of care, the use of long-acting injectables for HIV care and treatment, and increasing access to mental health services for people with HIV and STDs. Registration is required.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 24, 2024 - Notice from the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) amending section 564(b)(1)(C) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act to recognize the significant potential for a public health emergency that could affect national security or the health and security of United States citizens living abroad involving biological agents, namely pandemic influenza A and influenza A viruses with pandemic potential. This determination broadens an April 19, 2013, determination regarding the avian influenza A (H79N) virus to apply generally to pandemic influenza A viruses and influenza A viruses with pandemic potential.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 23, 2024 - Describes new funding for expanded Alzheimer's educational programming in rural Wyoming. Notes the importance of Alzheimer's programs in rural and frontier areas, where populations are aging, diagnoses are expected to increase significantly in the coming years, and caregivers may lack needed supports.
Source: Wyoming Public Media
Jul 19, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) on August 28-29, 2024. The meeting will include panels on the U.S. government's global HIV response; the science impact of "Undetectable = Untransmittable", or U = U; and Affordable Care Act risk adjustment model to expand access and uptake of PrEP. The full agenda of be posted on the PACHA website prior to the meeting. To provide public comment, pre-registration is required by August 21, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 18, 2024 - Highlights a new mobile unit offering cancer screening services in rural Virginia. The service is expected to reduce wait times and increase access to care for communities with persistent health disparities.
Source: VCU Health News
Jul 11, 2024 - Pre-publication 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
Jul 10, 2024 - Profiles a mobile clinic program based in Oklahoma City, which sends teams of physicians to 14 remote locations across Oklahoma, many of which have large Native American populations. The program aims to reduce healthcare disparities in areas with limited access to specialized medical care.
Source: Cardiovascular Business
Jul 9, 2024 - The Indian Health Service (IHS) is accepting applications for the second round of cooperative agreements for the Ending the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and Syphilis Epidemics (known as "the Syndemic") in Indian Country (ETHIC II) program. The purpose of this program is to support communities to directly increase the diagnoses, treatment, and prevention of HIV, HCV, and syphilis. Applications are due by July 31, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 8, 2024 - A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that 46.3% of U.S. counties, many of which are rural, lack a cardiologist. Features a county-level map with shadings showing counties with at least one cardiologist.
Source: NBC News
Jul 5, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes related to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for calendar year 2025 and proposing updates to the payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by an ESRD facility to individuals with acute kidney injury (AKI). Among other things, this rule also proposes updated requirements for the Conditions for Coverage for ESRD facilities, the ESRD Quality Incentive Program, and the ESRD Treatment Choices Model. Comments are due by August 26, 2024.
Source: Federal Register