Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy
RHS: Changes Related to Reserve Account Administration in Multi-Family Housing (MFH) Direct Loan Programs
Federal Register
Mar 18, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) updating its regulations and implementing changes related to the administration of property reserve accounts under the Multi-Family Housing (MFH) section 515, Rural Rental Housing (RRH), and section 514, 516 Farm Labor Housing (FLH) programs in order to increase flexibility in project refinancing for additional capital improvements. This rule is effective April 17, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
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 15, 2024 - The U.S. Census Bureau is providing an additional 30 days for comments on proposed revisions to the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). NSCH is designed to collect data on the physical and emotional health of children age 18 and younger, including information related to access to healthcare, family interactions, and school and after-school experiences, among other things. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 15, 2024 - Discusses the methamphetamine crisis in rural America, noting the history and impact of the criminal justice system. Discusses methamphetamine in the context of other substance use crises.
Source: The Conversation
Mar 14, 2024 - Offers highlights from a recent Committee on Ways and Means hearing discussing the benefits of receiving healthcare at home. Notes issues such as quality of life, social networks, rural access to care, technology and telehealth, decreasing emergency room visits, and Medicare barriers to care.
Source: U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means
Mar 14, 2024 - Announces proposed bipartisan legislation aiming to reduce burdens on rural Medicare patients seeking healthcare in an Accountable Care Organization (ACO). The bill expands the ability of Medicare beneficiaries to be assigned to an ACO by allowing assignments based on primary care visits performed by nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or clinical nurse specialists.
Source: Office of Representative Suzan DelBene
Mar 14, 2024 - Following an annual assessment of telecommunications capability, the Federal Communications Commission has raised the benchmark for broadband download and upload speeds. Notes that broadband deployment in rural and tribal areas is not happening in a reasonable timeframe.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
Mar 13, 2024 - Notice from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) seeking comments on proposed revisions to the information collection requirements related to the National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants. The information collected will be used by ACL to track performance outcome measures, support budget requests, provide national benchmark information, and inform program development and management initiatives. Comments are due by April 12, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Federal Register
Mar 13, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is
seeking comments on the following information collections:
1) Ambulatory Surgical Center Conditions for Coverage; 2)
Implementation of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP)
and Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan Disenrollment Reasons
Survey; and 3) Transitional Pass through payments related
to Drugs, Biologicals, and Radiopharmaceuticals to
determine eligibility under the Outpatient Prospective
Payment System. Comments are due by May 13, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 13, 2024 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality (ACIMM) on April 2-4, 2024. Agenda items are being finalized but may include an update on the federal Healthy Start program; Committee discussions on the workgroup topics of rural healthcare access, social drivers of health, and women's health before/between pregnancies; federal updates; and remarks from individuals with lived experience and community members, including those representing community-based organizations, on how to achieve optimal maternal health and overall birth outcomes for underserved populations. The webinar link and log-in information will be available at the ACIMM website before the meeting. Requests for public comment should be sent via email to SACIM@hrsa.gov.
Source: Federal Register