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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Legislation and regulations

Gun Violence in Arizona: Data to Inform Prevention Policies
Provides information on firearm violence in Arizona, including mass and school shootings, suicides, homicides, injuries, police shootings, and more, with data broken down by demographics, county, and rural versus urban location. Discusses gun safety policies and prevention strategies.
Author(s): Julia Jackman, Allan N. Williams
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Public Health Association
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Rural Track Program Funding: An Erosion in Definitions of Rural Places Requires New Action
Policy position paper discussing graduate medical education (GME) in rural areas. Discusses policy changes to rural hospital classification and the impact of these changes on rural GME and rural training track programs.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Understanding Disabilities in American Indian & Alaska Native Communities Toolkit Guide
Provides an overview of federal laws, initiatives, agencies, and organizations that support work with American Indian and Alaska Native communities and individuals with disabilities. Includes dedicated sections with links to organizations and resources on healthy living, education, independent living, vocational rehabilitation and employment resources, assistive technology, housing and facilities, and transportation.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: National Council on Aging, National Council on Disability
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Health Policy for Rural Illinois, Data for Policy Development
Provides information on various metrics representing healthcare access, cost, quality, and equity in metro and nonmetro areas of Illinois. Includes further breakdowns of data by White, Hispanic, and Black categories and discusses policy issues related to health disparities in nonmetro areas and for disadvantaged races/ethnicities.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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The Approaching End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and Its Implications for RHCs
Outlines Rural Health Clinic (RHC)-specific waivers implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will end at the conclusion of the public health emergency (PHE). Highlights how other policies will be impacted by the end of the PHE, including telehealth flexibilities; Medicaid redetermination; the commercialization of COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and tests; and Emergency Use Authorizations.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Federal Telehealth Flexibilities in Private Health Insurance During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: In Brief
Provides an overview of how private health insurance plans cover telehealth services, as well as federal flexibilities that encouraged private health insurance plans to promote telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Summarizes the two main types of laws at the state level addressing telehealth coverage in private health insurance. Outlines considerations for telehealth coverage after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Rural Hospitals: Community Cornerstones Facing Perilous Threats to Care
Infographic presenting data regarding the importance of rural hospitals to their communities. Includes information on workforce and financial challenges experienced by rural hospitals, as well as the impact of hospital closures on access to care. Provides recommendations on actions to support rural hospitals and communities.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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2023 Rural Advocacy Agenda
Outlines the American Hospital Association's federal policy priorities for rural hospitals in 2023. Offers recommendations in the areas of payment and reimbursement, workforce, telehealth coverage, and the 340B program.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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The Role of Telehealth in Achieving a High Performing Rural Health System: Priorities in a Post-Pandemic System
Presents a review of the potential for expanded use of telehealth in rural America and the use of telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). Examines the uses of telehealth in a high-performing rural health system. Expands on considerations outlined in the October 2020 publication The Evolving Landscape of National Telehealth Policies during a Public Health Emergency: Responsiveness to Rural Needs.
Author(s): Joel M. James, Keith J. Mueller, Joanne Constantin, et al.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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Rural Emergency Hospitals
Provides an overview of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program and the statutory requirements for facilities seeking REH designation. Outlines state laws that established REH licensure.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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