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Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare facilities

Mar 28, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Conditions for Certification for Rural Health Clinics and Conditions for Coverage for Federally Qualified Health Centers in 42 CFR 49 and 2) Establishment of Qualified Health Plans and American Health Benefit Exchanges. Comments are due by May 28, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 28, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on updates to the prospective payment system for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) for fiscal year 2025. Among other things, this rule proposes updates to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) market area delineations for the IRF prospective payment system (PPS) wage index, proposes a 3-year phase-out of the rural adjustments, and includes proposals for the IRF Quality Reporting Program. Comments are due within 60 days of the publication of this notice, which is scheduled for March 29, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 28, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of final rules from the Department of the Treasury, Department of Labor (DOL), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) amending the definition of short-term, limited-duration insurance, which is excluded from the definition of individual health insurance coverage under the Public Health Service Act. This notice also amends the regulations for hospital indemnity or other fixed indemnity insurance to be considered an excepted benefit in the group and individual health insurance markets. These regulations are effective 75 days after the publication of this notice, which is scheduled for April 3, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 25, 2024 - Summarizes recent research finding that female patients at rural Community Health Centers are more likely to be behind on cervical cancer screenings than patients in urban community health centers. Discusses factors associated with the disparity including English proficiency, income levels, employment, and primary care physician access. Notes that the disparity grew during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Medical Xpress
Mar 21, 2024 - A charitable donation to a community health center system will increase access to ultrasound technology in Montana and Wyoming as well as train healthcare workforce on new sonography technology. Discusses workforce shortages and the impact of new technology on health outcomes in rural and frontier areas.
Source: Cowboy State Daily
Mar 20, 2024 - Profiles a rural Oregon hospital expanding services to include specialty care. Notes the importance placed on healthcare access for people looking to move to a community.
Source: KPTV
Mar 19, 2024 - A partnership between a health system and Community Health Center in Virginia will distribute colorectal cancer screening test kits to patients that are primarily rural and uninsured. Half of their patients are not up-to-date on colorectal cancer screening.
Source: CBS19 News
Mar 16, 2024 - Discusses uptake of the Rural Emergency Hospital designation that aims to prevent hospital closures. Notes that conversions have happened primarily in the South. Discusses challenges with implementation, community feedback, and policy efforts to make the designation more accessible to rural hospitals.
Source: NBC4 Washington
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 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