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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Legislation and regulations

Variation in Elder Abuse State Statutes by State Level of Rurality
Examines elements of state-level elder abuse statutes' definitions and reporting requirements. Discusses potential differences in these policies by state rurality that could influence the understanding of elder abuse among rural and urban areas. Features statistics including types of abuse and reporting laws, and most common types of mandatory reporter categories, with breakdowns by three levels of rurality.
Author(s): Alexis Swendener, Alyssa Fritz, Marti DeLiema, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Racial and Ethnic and Rural Variations in the Use of Hybrid Prenatal Care in the US
Examines how factors of race/ethnicity, location, and telehealth restriction waivers during COVID-19 impact the uptake of hybrid prenatal care. Provides demographic breakdowns related to telehealth use of women during pregnancy and the COVID-19 public health emergency, with additional data on health conditions, U.S. region, and urban or rural residence.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Jiani Yu, Sayward E. Harrison, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(12)
Date: 12/2024
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Farm Bill Primer: Rural Broadband Provisions
Highlights selected rural broadband programs and provisions included in the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Rural Broadband Program, Community Connect Grant Program, and Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program. Outlines considerations for Congress related to the ReConnect Program, rural health challenges, and expanding broadband to support increased telework opportunities.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Farm Bill Primer: Rural Development Title
Provides an overview of the rural development provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including provisions related to rural broadband, water and waste disposal, and business creation and economic development. Offers considerations Congress may consider in the 2025 reauthorization of the Farm Bill related to the ReConnect Program and rural health challenges.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Calendar Year (CY) 2015 Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) Updates: Payment Rate Increases for RHCs and FQHCs Billing Under the All-Inclusive Rate System (AIR), and Urban and Rural Designations for FQHCs Billing Under the AIR
Provides updates for RHCs and FQHCs that are submitting claims to Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) for services to Medicare beneficiaries.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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North Dakota Critical Access Hospital Conditions of Participation (CoP) Checklist
Provides a checklist for establishing a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) in North Dakota. Details the required documentation, policies, and information needed by the state survey team to meet the CAH certification standards.
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health
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Nurse Practitioner Race and Ethnicity and Interest in Independent Primary Care Practice and Serving Medicaid Enrollees
Surveyed California nurse practitioners (NPs) to determine the current practice and practice intentions following scope of practice regulation changes in California. Presents 2023 data showing rurality of NPs by amount of primary care offered and Medicaid patient caseload currently and those considering independent primary care practice, among other characteristics.
Author(s): Ulrike Muench, Amy Quan, Rosalind de Lisser, Timothy Bates, Joanne Spetz
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 2(12)
Date: 11/2024
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Evaluation of the Impact of the No Surprises Act on Health Care Market Outcomes: Exploring Pre-Implementation Trends - Second Annual Report
Provides an overview of the No Surprises Act, which aims to protect participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees in group health plans and group and individual health insurance coverage from surprise medical bills. Updates key trends in factors that will be important to evaluate the effects of the No Surprises Act identified in the First Annual Report, including market consolidation and concentration, out-of-network billing, and potential surprise bills. Describes discussions with healthcare providers, private health plans and issuers, and patients regarding implementation and understanding of the No Surprises Act.
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Internet Devices and Internet Access Among Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers, North Carolina, 2023
Reports on survey results of 1,034 migrant and seasonal farmworkers in North Carolina about their access to the internet, internet speed, affordability, access to devices, and awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program. Presents factors impacting consistent internet access and video capacity.
Author(s): Joseph G. L. Lee, Mary Roby, Roger G. Russell, et al.
Citation: Public Health Reports, 2024
Date: 11/2024
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RHC Regulatory Changes in 2025 - Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Updates You Need to Know!
Recording of a November 18, 2024, webinar providing an overview of telehealth payment rates for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and other regulatory updates and potential changes for 2025. Covers Medicare vaccine reimbursement changes, the elimination of productivity standards, lab requirement changes, intensive outpatient program (IOP) services, telehealth regulations, and more. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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