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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare facilities

Rural Communities at Risk: Widening Health Disparities Present New Challenges in Aftermath of Pandemic
Describes the health status, health disparities, and socioeconomic disparities of vulnerable rural communities. Analyzes the relationship between rural community vulnerability and the stability of the rural health safety net.
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: The Chartis Group
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Access to Affordable Care in Rural America: Current Trends and Key Challenges
Describes geographic and demographic challenges that contribute to healthcare access and health disparities in rural areas. Covers patterns of insurance coverage between rural and urban areas, healthcare provider shortages, and rural hospital vulnerability and closures. Discusses programs and services supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reduce barriers to care in rural communities, including telehealth, healthcare workforce programs, and Rural Health Clinics and Community Health Centers.
Author(s): Gina Turrini, D. Keith Branham, Lucy Chen, et al.
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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How Many Hospitals Might Convert to a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH)?
Results of a study to predict the number of rural hospitals with 50 beds or fewer that are likely to consider conversion to Rural Emergency Hospital designation under the Medicare program. Features statistics on number and percent of complete closures and converted closures between 2011-2020 among hospitals with 50 beds or fewer, and open hospitals as of 2019-2020, with breakdowns by financial measures, operational measures, Medicare payment type, and census division.
Author(s): George H. Pink, Kristie W. Thompson, H. Ann Howard, G. Mark Holmes
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Veterans' Use of Veterans Health Administration Primary Care in an Era of Expanding Choice
Characterizes and compares veterans' use of Veterans Health Administration (VA) primary care services at VA facilities and through a VA community care network (VA-CCN) provider, using data from fiscal years 2015-2018. Features statistics including patient characteristics by primary care venue and odds of having any VA-CCN primary care, with breakdowns by urban, rural, or highly rural location.
Author(s): Denise M. Hynes, Samuel Edwards, Alex Hickok, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 59(6), S292-S300
Date: 06/2021
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County-level Predictors of Growth in Community-based Primary Care Use Among Veterans
Measures county-level growth in Veterans Health Administration (VA) community-based primary care (CBPC) penetration following enactment of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act, and assesses whether CBPC penetration increased in rural counties with limited access to VA facilities. Features statistics on county-level CBCP rates and characteristics of counties with high or low growth in penetration rates, with breakdowns by urban, rural, and highly rural locations.
Author(s): Sarah H. Gordon, Erin Beilstein-Wedel, Amy K. Rosen, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 59(6), S301-S306
Date: 06/2021
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Let's Talk About Mitigation Video
Recording of a June 29, 2021, webinar providing technical assistance regarding the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) COVID-19 Testing and Mitigation Funding program. Discusses reporting requirements and how program funds can be used. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Benefiting Rural Individuals, Benefiting Rural Population Health
Discusses the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) as a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Highlights the potential of telehealth to deliver PR in rural areas and features the work of rural PR programs.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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U.S. News Live Webinar: Curbing the Crisis in Rural Health
Recording of a June 22, 2021, webinar discussing challenges facing rural healthcare providers, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Describes how some rural providers are utilizing community partnerships, telehealth, and other innovations to meet the needs of their patients. Features representatives from the National Rural Health Association, the New Mexico Primary Care Training Consortium, and Louisiana's St. James Parish Hospital. Transcript available in video description.
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: U.S. News & World Report
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on the Hospital Inpatient PPS and the Long-term Care Hospital PPS for FY 2022
Comments on a May 10, 2021, Federal Register proposed rule revising the hospital inpatient and long-term care hospital (LTCH) prospective payment systems. Discusses proposals on rate-setting in both the hospital and LTCH prospective payment systems, the use of "market-based" data to set Medicare severity–diagnosis related group (MS–DRG) relative weights, and changes to rural reclassification cancellation requirements for hospitals.
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Community Impact and Benefit Activities of Critical Access, Other Rural, and Urban Hospitals, 2019
Examines the economic and healthcare benefit of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) on rural communities. Looks at services provided, the economic health of CAHs, and the effect this has on their communities broadly. Includes comparisons of community benefit and patient care services indicators provided by CAHs and other rural and urban hospitals.
Author(s): Zachariah Croll, John Gale
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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