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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Legislation and regulations

Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA's Rural Utilities Service
Discusses disparities in rural broadband access and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) programs intended to address this issue. Addresses criticisms of RUS broadband programs and related legislation, including the amount of Rural Development Telecom Awards for each state. Highlights the benefits of broadband access, such as rural economic development and telemedicine.
Date: 03/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Potential Effects of Work Requirements in Montana's Medicaid Program
Explores the potential impacts of Montana's proposed Medicaid reform legislation, Medicaid Reform and Integrity Act (MeRIA). Reports on Montana residents most likely to be affected by MeRIA's work requirements, and the potential loss of Medicaid coverage and resulting effects. Includes statistics describing the characteristics of Montana Medicaid expansion beneficiaries mostly likely to be impacted by the proposed work requirements by age, race/ethnicity, education, barriers to employment, and rurality.
Author(s): Leighton Ku, Erin Brantley
Date: 02/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health Center for Health Policy Research
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Communication Technology Based Services and Payment for Rural Health Clinic (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
Guidance for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) billing related to communication technology-based services effective January 1, 2019.
Citation: MLN Matters, MM10843
Date: 01/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (P.L.115-271): Medicare Provisions
Provides a section-by-section description of Medicare provisions in the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Addresses rural in two sections: Section 6083 seeks to expand access to addiction treatment in Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics by paying for training costs to obtain a DATA waiver to furnish OUD treatment; Section 6042 authorizes a demonstration project testing expanded access to MAT drugs through teams with a primary care provider.
Date: 01/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Rural Focus and Representation in State Maternal Mortality Review Committees: Review of Policy and Legislation
An assessment of the extent of rural representation in state policy efforts related to improving maternal health through the development of maternal mortality and morbidity review committees (MMRCs). Analysis included whether or not states established an MMRC, had passed legislation requiring an MMRC, identified rural populations in the legislation, and if they required rural representation within the MMRC.
Author(s): Katy B. Kozhimannil, Julia D. Interrante, Amanda Corbet, et al.
Citation: Women's Health Issues 299(5) 357-363
Date: 2019
Type: Document
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Updating the Costs of Compliance for California's Hospital Seismic Safety Standards
Updates progress made on California's implementation of a bill intended to improve hospital building standards to prepare for earthquakes. Analyzes the legislation's affordability for hospitals, particularly Critical Access Hospitals; future costs of compliance; factors influencing prioritization of compliance strategies; and policy alternatives.
Author(s): Benjamin L. Preston, Tom LaTourrette, James R. Broyles, et al.
Date: 2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: California Hospital Association, RAND Corporation
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Medicaid Inpatient Hospital Services Fee-for-Service Payment Policy
Provides an overview of Medicaid payment policies for inpatient hospital services. Includes a link to an Excel sheet with details for each state, including adjustments for rural geography and for Critical Access Hospitals.
Additional links: State Medicaid Payment Policies for Inpatient Hospital Services
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Critical Access Hospitals' Community Benefit Activities: An Updated Review
Examines community benefit data from a sample of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to understand how they are fulfilling their community benefit obligations, including related spending. Discusses how state Flex programs can help CAHs meet their community benefit obligations and the related Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requirements. Second of two briefs reporting project results.
Author(s): John A. Gale, Zachariah Croll, Lauren Zoll, Andrew F. Coburn
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Assessing the Unintended Consequences of Health Policy on Rural Populations and Places
Explores health policies that have affected, or could potentially have affected, rural people, places, and providers, in ways that ran counter to policy intent. Examines 6 historical health policies and their effect on rural health systems. Includes a framework for analyzing policy impact on rural populations and places.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Charlie Alfero, Andrew F. Coburn, et al.
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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Federal Support for Graduate Medical Education: An Overview
Examines how federal programs support graduate medical education for physicians, including available data on funding and the number of physicians in training. Addresses how GME support is used to address physician shortages in rural areas, data available on program effectiveness, and data gaps.
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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