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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare facilities

Mar 7, 2024 - Reports on financial struggles for rural hospitals across the country leading to department and facility closures and many more at risk of closure. Highlights common rural health disparities and notes the impact of closures on rural communities. Discusses the impact of various policies on rural hospitals including Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement as well as the Rural Emergency Hospital designation.
Source: KFF Health News
Mar 6, 2024 - The Florida state legislature has passed a bill allowing the Rural Emergency Hospital designation for rural hospitals. The bill is headed to the Governor's desk.
Source: WUSF, NPR
Mar 6, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of receipt of an application from COLA for re-approval as an accreditation organization for clinical laboratories under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) program for several specialty and subspecialty laboratories. CMS has re-approved COLA as an accreditation organization under CLIA and grants deeming authority for 6 years through March 6, 2030.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 5, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical and typographical corrections to the December 28, 2023, notice titled "Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) Fees; Histocompatibility, Personnel, and Alternative Sanctions for Certificate of Waiver Laboratories." This correction is effective March 5, 2024, and applicable beginning January 27, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 4, 2024 - A rural Montana VA Community Living Center uses telehealth to connect residents with specialty care, allowing rural residents access to timely care. Notes this helps in areas with shortages of specialists and other healthcare workforce.
Source: Veteran's Administration
Mar 1, 2024 - Discusses rural hospital closures in Oklahoma. Notes the impact of Medicare reimbursements, Medicaid expansion, and the Rural Emergency Hospital designation on rural hospital stability.
Source: News on 6
Feb 29, 2024 - New school-based health centers are opening in 3 rural Michigan schools. The health centers will offer physical, mental and dental healthcare.
Source: Rural Innovation Exchange
Feb 28, 2024 - Describes the technical assistance available to rural hospitals through a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Rural Health Association (NRHA). NRHA offers guidance with hospital finances and leadership training opportunities for administrators.
Source: National Rural Health Association
Feb 26, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Minimum Data Set 3.0 Nursing Home and Swing Bed Prospective Payment System (PPS) for the collection of data related to the Patient Driven Payment Model and the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (QRP); and 2) National Implementation of the Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (OAS CAHPS) Survey. Comments are due by March 27, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 26, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of receipt of an application for continued recognition of the Joint Commission as a national accrediting organization for Ambulatory Surgical Centers that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.
Source: Federal Register