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Rural Health
News by Topic: Legislation and regulations

Mar 7, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) making technical and typographical corrections to the January 9, 2024, final rule. The corrections in this notice are effective March 11, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
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 5, 2024 - Highlights projected impacts to rural health following the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Discusses concerns about equity for patients using telehealth, particularly for rural residents and people with disabilities.
Source: Mother Jones
Mar 4, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Education (ED), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Agency for International Development (AID), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) making regulatory changes to clarify protections for beneficiaries and potential beneficiaries receiving federally funded social services and the rights and obligations of organizations providing such services. This clarification should promote maximum participation by beneficiaries and providers in the Agencies' covered programs and activities and ensure consistency in the implementation of those programs and activities. This rule is effective April 3, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 1, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) making regulatory changes to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) to address some of the programmatic and systemic challenges to access to high-quality, affordable child care. Changes are intended to lower childcare costs for families participating in CCDF, improve the program's childcare provider payment rates and practices, and simplify enrollment in the childcare subsidy program. States and territories that are not in compliance with the provisions of this final rule on the effective date may request a temporary waiver for up to two years to come into compliance. This rule is effective April 30, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 27, 2024 - Discusses the impact of a proposed bill on healthcare access for rural Veterans in Georgia. The bill would offer funding to increase transportation options for VAs.
Source: WSAV
Feb 23, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implementing Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH)-related provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. This rule provides more clarity on how the hospital-specific payment limit, the change that took effect on October 1, 2021, will be calculated. This rule also enhances administrative efficiency by making technical changes and clarifications to the DSH program. These regulations are effective April 23, 2024. Sections 447.295(b) and (d), 447.299(c)(6), (7), (10), and (16), and 455.304(d)(1), (3), (4), and (6) are applicable as of October 1, 2021.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 20, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announcing the adjusted income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price meals and free milk through the National School Lunch Program (and Commodity School Program), School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program for Children, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program. In 2024, states and Indian Tribal Organizations that administer the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program will also begin to use these guidelines. These guidelines are applicable from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
Source: Federal Register