Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
Advance Care Planning: New Realities in Times of COVID-19
Examines the challenges of advance care planning, planning for decision-making in times of medical crisis, due to COVID-19. Shares insights from clinicians and others involved in helping rural patients.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Examines the challenges of advance care planning, planning for decision-making in times of medical crisis, due to COVID-19. Shares insights from clinicians and others involved in helping rural patients.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Telepharmacy Rules and Statutes: A 3-Year Update for all 50 States
Surveys the legislative and administrative activity authorizing community-based telepharmacy. Includes a table identifying states that have permitted telepharmacy services through legislation, regulation, or waiver or pilot programs, and states with limitations, prohibitions, or no guidance on these services. Provides an overview of state rules and regulations that limit aspects of telepharmacy implementation. Explores areas for further research and evaluation, including the relationship between telepharmacy and rural pharmacy closures.
Author(s): Jason Semprini, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Surveys the legislative and administrative activity authorizing community-based telepharmacy. Includes a table identifying states that have permitted telepharmacy services through legislation, regulation, or waiver or pilot programs, and states with limitations, prohibitions, or no guidance on these services. Provides an overview of state rules and regulations that limit aspects of telepharmacy implementation. Explores areas for further research and evaluation, including the relationship between telepharmacy and rural pharmacy closures.
Author(s): Jason Semprini, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Provision of Pediatric Immunization Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Assessment of Capacity Among Pediatric Immunization Providers Participating in the Vaccines for Children Program — United States, May 2020
Reports on the capacity of pediatric healthcare practices to provide immunization services to children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a survey of practices participating in the Vaccines for Children program conducted May 12–20, 2020. Includes data for urban and rural provider practice locations.
Author(s): Tara M. Vogt, Fan Zhang, Michelle Banks, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(27), 859-863
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Reports on the capacity of pediatric healthcare practices to provide immunization services to children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a survey of practices participating in the Vaccines for Children program conducted May 12–20, 2020. Includes data for urban and rural provider practice locations.
Author(s): Tara M. Vogt, Fan Zhang, Michelle Banks, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(27), 859-863
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Oversight Hearing on "Evaluating the Response and Mitigation to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Native Communities" and Legislative Hearing to Receive Testimony on S. 3650
Presents the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs oversight hearing on the response to COVID-19 in tribal communities. Features testimony from representatives from the Indian Health Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, and the National Indian Health Board.
Additional links: Lisa Elgin Testimony, Michael D. Weahkee Testimony, Robert J. Fenton, Jr. Testimony, Scott J. Davis Testimony
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
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Presents the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs oversight hearing on the response to COVID-19 in tribal communities. Features testimony from representatives from the Indian Health Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, and the National Indian Health Board.
Additional links: Lisa Elgin Testimony, Michael D. Weahkee Testimony, Robert J. Fenton, Jr. Testimony, Scott J. Davis Testimony
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
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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 2021
Comments on a May 29, 2020, Federal Register proposed rule revising the hospital inpatient and long-term care hospital (LTCH) prospective payment systems. Discusses proposals to use commercial insurer data to set Medicare severity–diagnosis related group (MS–DRG) relative weights and adopt changes to geographic area delineations to establish hospital wage indexes for the IPPS and LTCH PPS.
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Comments on a May 29, 2020, Federal Register proposed rule revising the hospital inpatient and long-term care hospital (LTCH) prospective payment systems. Discusses proposals to use commercial insurer data to set Medicare severity–diagnosis related group (MS–DRG) relative weights and adopt changes to geographic area delineations to establish hospital wage indexes for the IPPS and LTCH PPS.
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Supporting the Health and Wellbeing of Middle-Aged Adults Living Alone in Rural Counties
Results of a study exploring the characteristics of adults ages 35-64 who live alone, and the heightened health risks and challenges related to social isolation, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Uses data from a survey of 14 healthcare providers in rural counties with a high percentage of middle-aged adults living alone. Features a county-level map with breakdowns by percentage of people living alone in rural areas.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Mariana Tuttle, Ashley Hernandez, Jonathan Schroeder, Katy Kozhimannil
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Results of a study exploring the characteristics of adults ages 35-64 who live alone, and the heightened health risks and challenges related to social isolation, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Uses data from a survey of 14 healthcare providers in rural counties with a high percentage of middle-aged adults living alone. Features a county-level map with breakdowns by percentage of people living alone in rural areas.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Mariana Tuttle, Ashley Hernandez, Jonathan Schroeder, Katy Kozhimannil
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Repeat Annual Colorectal Cancer Screening in Rural Community Clinics: A Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate Outreach Strategies to Sustain Screening
Analyzes the effectiveness of outreach strategies for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in rural areas. Examines 568 participants ages 50-75 and tracks screening rates with Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kits after receiving a personal or automated call by a prevention counselor. Includes demographic breakdowns of participants and discusses intervention strategies to improve CRC screening in rural areas.
Author(s): Terry C. Davis, Alfred Rademaker, James Morris, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 36(3), 307-315
Date: 06/2020
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Analyzes the effectiveness of outreach strategies for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in rural areas. Examines 568 participants ages 50-75 and tracks screening rates with Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kits after receiving a personal or automated call by a prevention counselor. Includes demographic breakdowns of participants and discusses intervention strategies to improve CRC screening in rural areas.
Author(s): Terry C. Davis, Alfred Rademaker, James Morris, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 36(3), 307-315
Date: 06/2020
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The Impact of Medicare's Rural Add-on Payments on Supply of Home Health Agencies Serving Rural Counties
Examines how Medicare rural add-on payments affected the number of home health agencies serving rural counties between 2002-2017. Compares the population-adjusted number of home health agencies in urban, urban-adjacent non-urban-adjacent rural counties during periods with add-on payments and without add-on payments. Discusses implications for revised and future add-on payments to maintain or increase the supply of rural home health agencies.
Author(s): Tracy M. Mroz, Davis G. Patterson, Bianca K. Frogner
Citation: Health Affairs, 39(6), 949-957
Date: 06/2020
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Examines how Medicare rural add-on payments affected the number of home health agencies serving rural counties between 2002-2017. Compares the population-adjusted number of home health agencies in urban, urban-adjacent non-urban-adjacent rural counties during periods with add-on payments and without add-on payments. Discusses implications for revised and future add-on payments to maintain or increase the supply of rural home health agencies.
Author(s): Tracy M. Mroz, Davis G. Patterson, Bianca K. Frogner
Citation: Health Affairs, 39(6), 949-957
Date: 06/2020
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Pennsylvania Mental Health Care Workforce Shortage: Challenges and Solutions: A Staff Study
Provides a discussion of mental healthcare workforce occupations and examines the factors that led to shortages in these fields. Describes how telemedicine can be used to extend the mental healthcare workforce in rural Pennsylvania and determines how state government entities can encourage more people to enter and remain in the mental healthcare workforce. Makes recommendations including increasing the number of psychiatric residencies in rural areas and designating more Rural Health Clinics. Includes a county-level map of Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Author(s): Grant Rosul, Stephen J. Kramer, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Provides a discussion of mental healthcare workforce occupations and examines the factors that led to shortages in these fields. Describes how telemedicine can be used to extend the mental healthcare workforce in rural Pennsylvania and determines how state government entities can encourage more people to enter and remain in the mental healthcare workforce. Makes recommendations including increasing the number of psychiatric residencies in rural areas and designating more Rural Health Clinics. Includes a county-level map of Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Author(s): Grant Rosul, Stephen J. Kramer, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Residential Proximity to Oil and Gas Development and Birth Outcomes in California: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 2006–2015 Births
Investigates relationship between residential proximity to oil and gas development (OGD) and adverse birth outcomes. Explores data of 2.9 million births to mothers living within 10km of OGD in rural areas and the relationship to low birthweight, preterm birth, and small for gestational age birth. Includes rural versus urban comparisons.
Author(s): Kathy V. Tran, Joan A. Casey, Lara J. Cushing, Rachel Morello-Frosch
Citation: Environmental Health Perspectives, 128(6)
Date: 06/2020
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Investigates relationship between residential proximity to oil and gas development (OGD) and adverse birth outcomes. Explores data of 2.9 million births to mothers living within 10km of OGD in rural areas and the relationship to low birthweight, preterm birth, and small for gestational age birth. Includes rural versus urban comparisons.
Author(s): Kathy V. Tran, Joan A. Casey, Lara J. Cushing, Rachel Morello-Frosch
Citation: Environmental Health Perspectives, 128(6)
Date: 06/2020
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