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Rural Health
News by Topic: Hospitals

Oct 14, 2021 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comment on the following information collections: 1) Independent Rural Health Clinic Cost Report; 2) Bid Pricing Tool (BPT) for Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP); and 3) Implementation of Medicare and Medicaid Programs;—Promoting Interoperability Programs (Stage 3) (CMS-10552). Comments are due by December 13, 2021.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 13, 2021 - Video report on nursing shortages and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on those shortages, focusing on the rural Hendry Regional Medical Center in Clewiston, Florida. Offers perspectives of nurses and emergency department leadership, and addresses burnout related to COVID-19 patient care and the role of traveling nurses in filling staffing needs.
Source: PBS News Hour
Oct 7, 2021 - Notice from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking comment on revised draft guidance that, when finalized, will describe how FDA intends to apply certain provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) to human drug products compounded by State-licensed pharmacies that are not outsourcing facilities and distributed for use within a hospital or health system. The draft guidance addresses the requirement that compounding be based on the receipt of a valid prescription order for an identified individual patient and the provision concerning compounded drug products that are essentially copies of a commercially available drug product. Comments are due by December 6, 2021.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 5, 2021 - The Health Resources and Services Administration will hold a virtual public meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS) on October 25-27, 2021. The agenda will include discussions on Behavioral Health and Primary Care Integration in Rural America and recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the Rural Emergency Hospital designation. Pre-registration is required by October 24, 2021. Written statements and request to make oral comments should be submitted to Steven Hirsch at least 3 business days prior to the meeting.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 5, 2021 - Describes a study of 172 rural hospitals that merged with larger health systems from 2009-2016, comparing them to 549 independent hospitals and finding that the number of acquired hospitals that offered any maternal or neonatal services decreased. Also notes that merged hospitals were less likely to offer surgical services and mental health services.
Source: The Rural Blog
Oct 4, 2021 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical corrections to the August 4, 2021, final rule for FY 2022 Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities Prospective Payment System (IPF PPS). The correction is effective October 1, 2021.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 29, 2021 - Highlights the challenges in providing care for COVID-19 patients at St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead, Kentucky, a rural hospital that is operating at 135% capacity, leading to creating alternative Intensive Care Unit (ICU) spaces and constructing a field hospital. Notes the significant increase in COVID-19 patients in September 2021 compared to the peak of the pandemic in 2020 and challenges related to workforce shortages.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Sep 27, 2021 - Reports on the challenges facing rural hospitals in Idaho related to providing care to COVID-19 patients without an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or access to mechanical ventilation. Highlights the situation at North Canyon Medical Center in Gooding, Idaho, which must be prepared to shift to crisis standards of care, also noting community tensions and hospital staff fatigue.
Source: Boise State Public Radio
Sep 24, 2021 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services announcing a virtual town hall meeting to be held on December 14-15, 2021, to discuss FY 2023 applications for add-on payments for new medical services and technologies under the Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS). The agenda and information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the New Technology website. Comment and presentation submissions to be considered at the meeting are due by November 29, 2021.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 23, 2021 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking approval of, and comments on, an emergency information collection request regarding the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) COVID-19 Testing and Mitigation Program. The data collected will allow HRSA to ensure SHIP COVID-19 recipients are meeting the terms and conditions of their funding, while providing HRSA with information on the effectiveness of funds distributed through this program. Comments are due by October 4, 2021.
Source: Federal Register