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Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

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 26, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking comments on an information collection titled "Child Nutrition Programs: Community Eligibility Provision—Increasing Options for Schools." The information collected from state and local education agencies will ensure Community Eligibility Program (CEP) eligibility determinations are verified. The information collected from households will be used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price meal benefits to verify eligibility determinations. Comments are due by August 26, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 25, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the revision of an information collection titled "Reform of Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities." Revisions reflect new requirements outlined in the May 10, 2024, final rule titled "Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting." Comments are due by August 26, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 25, 2024 - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hold a public meeting of the Communications Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC) on August 13, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Eastern. The CEDC makes recommendations to the FCC on advancing equity in the provision of and access to digital communication services and products. The agenda will include introductions of working group chairs, discussions of plans, and the receiving of information from the FCC Office of Communications Business Opportunities. The meeting will be streamed on the FCC website.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 25, 2024 - Pre-publication notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announcing the reorganization of the role and function of the Assistant Secretary for Administration. This reorganization moves technology and data policy and strategy functions from the Assistant Secretary for Administration to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC), including moving the Office of the Chief Data Officer, Office of the Chief AI Officer, and a newly recreated Chief Technology Officer.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 25, 2024 - Announces proposed legislation to require hospital systems either closing or eliminating services to notify the Department of Health and Human Services as well as develop with the public a plan for continuing accessible care for patients. The bill would also require annual Congressional reports on hospital closure trends and capacity for surge demand.
Source: Office of Senator Tammy Baldwin
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 24, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of a proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) that seeks to advance interoperability, improve transparency, and support the access, exchange, and use of electronic health information. This rule proposes establishing a new baseline version of the United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) and updating the ONC Health IT Certification Program to enhance interoperability and optimize certification processes. The proposed rule would also implement certain provisions related to the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), which would support the reliability, privacy, security, and trust within TEFCA. Comments are due within 60 days of the publication of this notice, which is scheduled for August 5, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 24, 2024 - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) announces a demonstration program, the Payment Supplement Account (PSA). The PSA is intended to assist borrowers who have experienced a documented hardship that led to an involuntary inability to pay their mortgage obligation, require payment reduction to resume making a monthly payment, and currently have a below market interest rate. This notice describes a special servicing option for servicers to use to assist borrowers who seek loss mitigation alternatives, regardless of the nature of their hardship. This demonstration program is effective July 24, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 23, 2024 - The National Advisory Council on Migrant Health (NACMH) will hold a virtual public meeting on October 22-23, 2024. Agenda items include discussions on topics related to migratory and seasonal agricultural worker health, including impacts of heat and wildfire smoke; farmworker data; and best practices for fostering partnerships between farmworkers, health centers, growers, and community organizations. The agenda and information on how to join the meeting will be published on the NACMH website. Requests for public comment should be sent to the Designated Federal Official at least 3 business days before the meeting.
Source: Federal Register