Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare quality
Report to Congress: Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis in the United States: An Update from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Reports on efforts by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to improve maternal health outcomes, including programs related to care delivery, access to care, and social factors influencing health. Presents data and discussion of maternal health trends, identifies key drivers, highlights relevant HHS programs and actions, and presents a framework to measure progress. Details rural access and outcome disparities and features rural-focused programs.
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Reports on efforts by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to improve maternal health outcomes, including programs related to care delivery, access to care, and social factors influencing health. Presents data and discussion of maternal health trends, identifies key drivers, highlights relevant HHS programs and actions, and presents a framework to measure progress. Details rural access and outcome disparities and features rural-focused programs.
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Why Primary Care Practitioners Aren't Joining Value-Based Payment Models: Reasons and Potential Solutions
Explores reasons why primary care providers do not participate in value-based payment models. Presents findings from focus group and key informant interviews with primary care providers and primary care member organizations. Covers financial, workforce, and administrative burden-related challenges, and outlines potential solutions. Includes a discussion of financial challenges small and rural independent practices face in participating in value-based payment models.
Author(s): Ann S. O'Malley, Rumin Sarwar, Cindy Alvarez, Eugene C. Rich
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Explores reasons why primary care providers do not participate in value-based payment models. Presents findings from focus group and key informant interviews with primary care providers and primary care member organizations. Covers financial, workforce, and administrative burden-related challenges, and outlines potential solutions. Includes a discussion of financial challenges small and rural independent practices face in participating in value-based payment models.
Author(s): Ann S. O'Malley, Rumin Sarwar, Cindy Alvarez, Eugene C. Rich
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Patient Perspectives on Cancer Care during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study
Analyzes the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on cancer patients' care experiences and mental health. Utilizes interview data from 15 rural Maryland patients who received a cancer diagnosis or treatment between January 2020 and October 2022. Discusses access to care, consistency of care, telehealth use, social isolation, patient advocacy, COVID-19 precautions, and more.
Author(s): Krista Y. Chen, Olivia Stanford, Jennifer A. Wenzel, Robert L. Joyner, Adrian S. Dobs
Citation: PLoS ONE, 19(7), e0306035
Date: 07/2024
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Analyzes the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on cancer patients' care experiences and mental health. Utilizes interview data from 15 rural Maryland patients who received a cancer diagnosis or treatment between January 2020 and October 2022. Discusses access to care, consistency of care, telehealth use, social isolation, patient advocacy, COVID-19 precautions, and more.
Author(s): Krista Y. Chen, Olivia Stanford, Jennifer A. Wenzel, Robert L. Joyner, Adrian S. Dobs
Citation: PLoS ONE, 19(7), e0306035
Date: 07/2024
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Positioning Telehealth Policy to Ensure High-Quality, Cost-Effective Care
Presents policy recommendations and suggestions to guide policymakers when considering the future of telehealth. Analyzes peer-reviewed research; government reports; and findings from interviews with payers, providers, provider associations, federal agencies, consumer advocates, technology leaders, policy experts, and other stakeholders. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Author(s): Maya Sandalow, Julia Harris, Mikayla Curtis, Marilyn Werber Serafini
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Presents policy recommendations and suggestions to guide policymakers when considering the future of telehealth. Analyzes peer-reviewed research; government reports; and findings from interviews with payers, providers, provider associations, federal agencies, consumer advocates, technology leaders, policy experts, and other stakeholders. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Author(s): Maya Sandalow, Julia Harris, Mikayla Curtis, Marilyn Werber Serafini
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Standing Technical Expert Panel for the Development, Evaluation, and Maintenance of Post-Acute Care (PAC) and Hospice Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Measurement Sets: Summary Report
Describes a December 15, 2023, Technical Expert Panel (TEP) regarding the development of additional cross-setting measures for the Post-Acute Care (PAC) and Hospice Quality Reporting Programs (QRPs), and filling measurement gaps with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Universal Foundation measures. Summarizes TEP comments on adding measures to PAC and Hospice QRPs in four domains: 1) behavioral and mental health, 2) patient experience of care, 3) pain management, and 4) immunization. Covers panelists' discussions on the appropriateness of the existing measure set and potential new measures, setting-specific considerations, data sources, and other topics related to each domain. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Abt Associates, Acumen, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Describes a December 15, 2023, Technical Expert Panel (TEP) regarding the development of additional cross-setting measures for the Post-Acute Care (PAC) and Hospice Quality Reporting Programs (QRPs), and filling measurement gaps with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Universal Foundation measures. Summarizes TEP comments on adding measures to PAC and Hospice QRPs in four domains: 1) behavioral and mental health, 2) patient experience of care, 3) pain management, and 4) immunization. Covers panelists' discussions on the appropriateness of the existing measure set and potential new measures, setting-specific considerations, data sources, and other topics related to each domain. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Abt Associates, Acumen, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Estimated Impacts of Multiple Payment Policies on Rural-Serving Home Health Agencies
Describes the estimated impact of three major Medicare home health payment policy changes - implementation of the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), revisions to rural add-on payments, and the demonstration and nationwide expansion of the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) model - on home health agency (HHA) reimbursement for Medicare beneficiaries. Compares the estimated impact of these payment policy changes by HHA rural-serving status, U. S. Census Division, profit status, quality rating, and episode volume.
Author(s): Tracy M. Mroz, Lisa A. Garberson, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Davis G. Patterson
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Describes the estimated impact of three major Medicare home health payment policy changes - implementation of the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), revisions to rural add-on payments, and the demonstration and nationwide expansion of the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) model - on home health agency (HHA) reimbursement for Medicare beneficiaries. Compares the estimated impact of these payment policy changes by HHA rural-serving status, U. S. Census Division, profit status, quality rating, and episode volume.
Author(s): Tracy M. Mroz, Lisa A. Garberson, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Davis G. Patterson
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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From Surviving to Thriving: Ways to Boost Employee Retention in Rural Health Care
Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Brandie Manuel, R.N., chief patient safety and quality officer at Jefferson Healthcare in rural Washington. Discusses strategies to promote workforce development, wellbeing, and teamwork.
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Brandie Manuel, R.N., chief patient safety and quality officer at Jefferson Healthcare in rural Washington. Discusses strategies to promote workforce development, wellbeing, and teamwork.
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services: Encouraging Rural Participation in Population-Based Total Cost of Care (PB-TCOC) Models
Summarizes findings from the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee's (PTAC) review of information on best practices for addressing rural health challenges and encouraging rural participation in value-based care and PB-TCOC models. Describes the importance of addressing challenges affecting patients and providers in rural communities, developing financial incentives and glide paths to encourage rural participation in value-based care, and measuring and incentivizing value-based care and social determinants of health for patients in rural areas. Identifies areas where areas where additional research is needed, considerations for policymakers, and potential next steps.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Summarizes findings from the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee's (PTAC) review of information on best practices for addressing rural health challenges and encouraging rural participation in value-based care and PB-TCOC models. Describes the importance of addressing challenges affecting patients and providers in rural communities, developing financial incentives and glide paths to encourage rural participation in value-based care, and measuring and incentivizing value-based care and social determinants of health for patients in rural areas. Identifies areas where areas where additional research is needed, considerations for policymakers, and potential next steps.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Community Buprenorphine Continuation Post-Release Following Extended Release Vs. Sublingual Buprenorphine During Incarceration: A Pilot Project in Maine
Compares post-release outcomes among incarcerated people who received extended-release buprenorphine (XRB) versus sublingual buprenorphine (SLB) for opioid use disorder (OUD) in rural Maine jails. Includes data from two jails, one of which had implemented an XRB pilot program, on rates of post-release community buprenorphine treatment continuation, diversion, safety concerns, XRB side effects, and post-release mortality.
Author(s): Alane B. O'Connor, Catherine Gelsinger, Sadie M. Donovan, Jessica Marshall, Katherine A. Ahrens
Citation: Health & Justice, 12, 28
Date: 06/2024
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Compares post-release outcomes among incarcerated people who received extended-release buprenorphine (XRB) versus sublingual buprenorphine (SLB) for opioid use disorder (OUD) in rural Maine jails. Includes data from two jails, one of which had implemented an XRB pilot program, on rates of post-release community buprenorphine treatment continuation, diversion, safety concerns, XRB side effects, and post-release mortality.
Author(s): Alane B. O'Connor, Catherine Gelsinger, Sadie M. Donovan, Jessica Marshall, Katherine A. Ahrens
Citation: Health & Justice, 12, 28
Date: 06/2024
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Health Subcommittee Hearing on Improving Value-Based Care for Patients and Providers
Recording of a June 26, 2024, House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health hearing on the challenges and opportunities associated with delivering better health outcomes and Medicare savings through value-based care. Features testimony from Sarah Chouinard, Chief Medical Officer of Main Street Health, regarding value-based care delivery in rural areas.
Additional links: Sarah Chouinard, Main Street Health - Testimony
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: House Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee on Health
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Recording of a June 26, 2024, House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health hearing on the challenges and opportunities associated with delivering better health outcomes and Medicare savings through value-based care. Features testimony from Sarah Chouinard, Chief Medical Officer of Main Street Health, regarding value-based care delivery in rural areas.
Additional links: Sarah Chouinard, Main Street Health - Testimony
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: House Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee on Health
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