Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare facilities
Public Law 116–260: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
Text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260 (December 27, 2020). Section 125 establishes the Rural Emergency Hospital designation. Section 127 makes changes to direct graduate medical education (GME) and indirect GME payments to teaching hospitals that train residents in Rural Training Programs.
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress
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Text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260 (December 27, 2020). Section 125 establishes the Rural Emergency Hospital designation. Section 127 makes changes to direct graduate medical education (GME) and indirect GME payments to teaching hospitals that train residents in Rural Training Programs.
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress
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Ohio's Rural and Urban Counties
Map of rural, partially rural, urban, and Appalachian counties in Ohio overlaid with locations of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: Ohio Primary Care Office
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Map of rural, partially rural, urban, and Appalachian counties in Ohio overlaid with locations of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: Ohio Primary Care Office
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Rural Resilience: The Role of Birth Centers in the United States
Highlights a study on the efficacy of the birth center model for maternity care and delivery in rural communities compared with their urban and suburban counterparts. Breaks down data by core variables, such as maternal age, maternal and infant outcomes, and transfers, among other measures.
Author(s): Diana Jolles, Susan Stapleton, Jennifer Wright, et al.
Citation: Birth, 47(4), 430–437
Date: 12/2020
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Highlights a study on the efficacy of the birth center model for maternity care and delivery in rural communities compared with their urban and suburban counterparts. Breaks down data by core variables, such as maternal age, maternal and infant outcomes, and transfers, among other measures.
Author(s): Diana Jolles, Susan Stapleton, Jennifer Wright, et al.
Citation: Birth, 47(4), 430–437
Date: 12/2020
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Rural Hospital Closures: Affected Residents Had Reduced Access to Health Care Services
Examines the effects of rural hospital closures on rural residents. Discusses the distance residents in the service areas of closed facilities had to travel to access common healthcare services between 2012 and 2018, as well as the availability of providers over time. Compares the health status of Medicare beneficiaries in services areas with and without hospital closures.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Examines the effects of rural hospital closures on rural residents. Discusses the distance residents in the service areas of closed facilities had to travel to access common healthcare services between 2012 and 2018, as well as the availability of providers over time. Compares the health status of Medicare beneficiaries in services areas with and without hospital closures.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Assessing Clinical Quality Performance and Staffing Capacity Differences Between Urban and Rural Health Resources and Services Administration-Funded Health Centers in the United States: A Cross Sectional Study
Study comparing quality of medical care in urban and rural health centers funded by the Heath Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) using 2017 Uniform Data System data and 2016 Area Health Resources File data for 1,373 health centers, over 600 of which are rural. Examines 15 reported quality measures related to prevention, care management, and clinical outcomes.
Author(s): Nadereh Pourat, Xiao Chen, Connie Lu, et al.
Citation: PLOS One, 15(12), e0242844
Date: 12/2020
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Study comparing quality of medical care in urban and rural health centers funded by the Heath Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) using 2017 Uniform Data System data and 2016 Area Health Resources File data for 1,373 health centers, over 600 of which are rural. Examines 15 reported quality measures related to prevention, care management, and clinical outcomes.
Author(s): Nadereh Pourat, Xiao Chen, Connie Lu, et al.
Citation: PLOS One, 15(12), e0242844
Date: 12/2020
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Rural Health Clinics Modernization Policy Explained
Recording of a webinar (updated December 31, 2020) providing an overview of statutory revisions to the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) payment methodology. Explains the impact of the changes on both capped and uncapped RHCs. Includes information on telehealth reimbursement for RHCs. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Author(s): Bill Finerfrock, Nathan Baugh
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of a webinar (updated December 31, 2020) providing an overview of statutory revisions to the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) payment methodology. Explains the impact of the changes on both capped and uncapped RHCs. Includes information on telehealth reimbursement for RHCs. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Author(s): Bill Finerfrock, Nathan Baugh
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Could Improve Its Wage Index Adjustment for Hospitals in Areas With the Lowest Wages
Analyzes characteristics of hospitals with area wage indexes (AWI) in the bottom quartile in 2020, including rurality, geography, Medicaid expansion status, and hourly wages. Provides an overview of the hospital wage index system and AWI, circularity, and the impact of these policies on prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals. Offers policy recommendations to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding future adjustments.
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Analyzes characteristics of hospitals with area wage indexes (AWI) in the bottom quartile in 2020, including rurality, geography, Medicaid expansion status, and hourly wages. Provides an overview of the hospital wage index system and AWI, circularity, and the impact of these policies on prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals. Offers policy recommendations to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding future adjustments.
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Lakewood Engage Tackles Food Insecurity in Rural Minnesota
Features a community-based program in rural Minnesota that addresses food insecurity through multiple initiatives, including distribution of fresh produce through a food "prescription" program, home delivery of meals to post-acute care patients and those in COVID-19 quarantine, and a farmers market.
Author(s): Kathryn Rutz
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Features a community-based program in rural Minnesota that addresses food insecurity through multiple initiatives, including distribution of fresh produce through a food "prescription" program, home delivery of meals to post-acute care patients and those in COVID-19 quarantine, and a farmers market.
Author(s): Kathryn Rutz
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural Hospitals Have Higher Percentages of Patients with COVID-19 than Urban Hospitals (October-December 2020)
Analyzes data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to compare the percent of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in rural versus urban hospitals. Features breakdowns by the Midwest, Northeast, West, and South.
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Analyzes data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to compare the percent of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in rural versus urban hospitals. Features breakdowns by the Midwest, Northeast, West, and South.
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Rural Hospitalizations for COVID-19: Snapshot on December 10, 2020
Analyzes U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data to compare rural and urban hospitals on the percent of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and the percent of hospital beds occupied by patients who have COVID-19. Features breakdowns by geographical region.
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Analyzes U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data to compare rural and urban hospitals on the percent of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and the percent of hospital beds occupied by patients who have COVID-19. Features breakdowns by geographical region.
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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