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Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural Health
News by Topic: Population health

Nov 27, 2023 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the renewal of the Board of Scientific Counselors Infectious Diseases (BSC ID), formerly known as the Board of Scientific Counselors, Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases (BSC, DDID). The charter is effective for a 2-year period through October 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 27, 2023 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the renewal of the Board of Scientific Counselors, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (BSC, NCIPC). The charter is effective for a 2-year period through November 5, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 24, 2023 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance); 2) National Implementation of the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) Survey; 3) CMS Health Equity Award—Call for Nominations; and 4) Withholding Medicare Payments to Recover Medicaid Overpayments and Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR 447.31. Comments are due by December 26, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 24, 2023 - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will hold a hybrid public meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) on December 6, 2023. The agenda and information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the PACHA website prior to the meeting. Preregistration is encouraged by November 27, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 21, 2023 - The Oklahoma Well Owner Network is expanding its educational programming to rural libraries. Notes the importance of water sources in residents' health and safety.
Source: OSU Extension
Nov 17, 2023 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announcing its intent to establish an Advisory Committee on Long COVID. The Committee will help inform executive branch actions on Long COVID and associated conditions, focusing on health equity. HHS also invites nominations of individuals to serve on the Committee. Specific areas of expertise are being sought from Long COVID and related groups, professional associations, disability and chronic illness groups, public health and related groups, healthcare and social providers, employee and employer-related groups, research, and non-voting industry representatives. Nominations are due by January 16, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 16, 2023 - National Rural Health Day, a day to recognize the efforts of rural community members, healthcare providers, and other rural stakeholders, is being celebrated on November 16, 2023. Includes a collection of stories from around the country recognizing and celebrating National Rural Health Day.
Nov 16, 2023 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes to the following: 1) Physician Fee Schedule and Medicare Part B payment policies; 2) payment for dental services inextricably linked to specific covered medical services; 3) Medicare Shared Savings Program requirements; 4) updates to the Quality Payment Program; 5) Medicare coverage of opioid use disorder services furnished by opioid treatment programs; 6) updates to certain Medicare and Medicaid provider enrollment policies; 7) electronic prescribing for controlled substances for a covered Part D drug under a prescription drug plan or an MA-PD plan; 8) updates to the Ambulance Fee Schedule regulations and the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System; 9) expansion of the diabetes screening and diabetes definitions; 10) pulmonary rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation and intensive cardiac rehabilitation expansion of supervising practitioners; 11) appropriate use criteria for advanced diagnostic imaging; 12) early release of Medicare Advantage risk adjustment data; and 13) a social determinants of health risk assessment in the annual wellness visit and Basic Health Program. This rule also codifies provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. Includes rural references throughout. These regulations are effective on January 1, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 16, 2023 - Highlights the harm reduction strategy one Wisconsin tribe has implemented to reduce mortality from the opioid crisis. Discusses stigma, the high rates of overdose deaths for native people in Wisconsin, and the potential for harm reduction to lead to effective treatment. Describes their successes as a model for other Indigenous communities as well as harm reduction in general.
Source: STAT News
Nov 16, 2023 - Highlights the Veteran Administration's telehealth heart and lung care program through the Office of Rural Health. Notes challenges to accessing cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation for rural Veterans and disparities in diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for rural residents.
Source: Veteran's Administration