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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare facilities

Using the Updated Financial Distress Index to Describe Relative Risk of Hospital Financial Distress
Describes the relative risk of rural hospitals and selected urban hospitals experiencing financial distress in 2023. Provides an overview of an updated Financial Distress Index (FDI), which incorporates variables reflecting changes to operational environments since the publication of the 2017 FDI to predict and analyze financial distress and risk of rural hospital closure. Presents data on the characteristics of hospitals by relative risk of financial distress in 2023 and the number of hospitals in each state across in category of relative risk of financial distress.
Author(s): Tyler Malone, George Pink, Kristie Thompson, Mark Holmes
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Survey Emphasizes Scale and Significance of the RHC Program
Summarizes results of a 2024 national survey of 930 Rural Health Clinics. Presents data on the average payer mix, use and attitude toward telehealth services, Medicare Advantage (MA) contract structures, and MA reimbursement relative to traditional Medicare reimbursement, and more.
Additional links: NARHC 2024 Policy Survey Results
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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How to Reach the Next Generation of Health Care Workers with Hannibal Regional Healthcare System
Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Susan Wathen, vice president of human resources at Hannibal Regional Healthcare System in Hannibal, Missouri. Describes strategies to recruit and retain clinical and non-clinical workforce for the health system, including tuition payments and stipends, apprenticeships and internships, serving as a site for clinical rotations for medical schools, and more.
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Rural Hospitals' Perspectives On Health System Affiliation
Brief exploring hospital affiliation with consideration for rural contexts. Discusses impacts on costs of services, quality of care, and system finances. Offers recommended steps when choosing to affiliate and metrics for evaluating success.
Author(s): Joel M. James, Keith J. Mueller, Dan M. Shane
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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"Economic Development is Population Health": A New Vision for Rural Hospital Leadership
Describes the role that rural hospital investments can play in contributing to community health. Features a Wisconsin Critical Access Hospital making infrastructure investments in their downtown and a New Hampshire medical center investing in public transit and affordable housing.
Author(s): Brendan Stermer
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting Final Rule (CMS 3442-F)
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule for minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities. Details three core staffing proposals: 1) minimum nurse staffing standards; 2) a requirement to have an RN onsite 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and 3) enhanced facility assessment requirements. Outlines a staggered implementation approach, including a later implementation date for rural facilities, and hardship exemption qualification requirements. Also describes Medicaid payment transparency reporting provisions for nursing and intermediate care facilities related to the percentage of Medicaid funds spent on compensation to direct care workers and support staff.
Additional links: External FAQs
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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With Current Staffing Levels, About 1 in 5 Nursing Facilities Would Meet Fully-Implemented Minimum Staffing Standards in the Final Rule
Describes a proposed federal standard for nursing home nurse staffing levels and analyzes current nursing home staffing levels, noting the percentage of facilities that will meet the proposed staffing level requirements when fully implemented.
Author(s): Priya Chidambaram, Alice Burns, Tricia Neuman, Robin Rudowitz
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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2024 FORHP Preview Webinar
Recording of an April 3, 2024, webinar providing an overview of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) and its priorities for 2024. HIghlights resources and anticipated funding opportunities to support rural hospitals, address substance use, advance rural community health, and address rural health workforce.
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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Meeting Essential Health Services And Reimagining Obstetrics In A Rural Community
Case study profiling Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH) in rural Washington. Describes how KVH implemented a new staffing model to maintain essential obstetrics and gynecological care.
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Ten Things to Know About Consolidation in Health Care Provider Markets
Discusses consolidation in healthcare provider markets, including different types of consolidation, trends, benefits and harms for patients and other consumers, key research findings, policy options for increasing competition, and more. Highlights impacts on rural and underserved communities throughout.
Author(s): Zachary Levinson, Jamie Godwin, Scott Hulver, Tricia Neuman
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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