Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Legislation and regulations
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-120)
Text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260). Section 125 establishes the Rural Emergency Hospital designation. Section 127 makes changes to direct graduate medical education (GME) and indirect GME payments to teaching hospitals that train residents in Rural Training Programs.
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress
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Text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260). Section 125 establishes the Rural Emergency Hospital designation. Section 127 makes changes to direct graduate medical education (GME) and indirect GME payments to teaching hospitals that train residents in Rural Training Programs.
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress
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Rural Health Clinics Modernization Policy Explained
Recording of a webinar (updated December 31, 2020) providing an overview of statutory revisions to the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) payment methodology. Explains the impact of the changes on both capped and uncapped RHCs. Includes information on telehealth reimbursement for RHCs. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Author(s): Bill Finerfrock, Nathan Baugh
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of a webinar (updated December 31, 2020) providing an overview of statutory revisions to the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) payment methodology. Explains the impact of the changes on both capped and uncapped RHCs. Includes information on telehealth reimbursement for RHCs. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Author(s): Bill Finerfrock, Nathan Baugh
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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How Does DATA-Waiver Provider Patient Capacity Relate to Opioid and Buprenorphine Prescribing?
Explores if regulatory changes to increase the patient capacity among buprenorphine waivered providers effects buprenorphine and opioids prescription rates at the county-level. Compares prescription rates by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties.
Author(s): Robin Ghertner, Mir M. Ali
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Explores if regulatory changes to increase the patient capacity among buprenorphine waivered providers effects buprenorphine and opioids prescription rates at the county-level. Compares prescription rates by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties.
Author(s): Robin Ghertner, Mir M. Ali
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Water Safety in California Public Schools Following Implementation of School Drinking Water Policies
Study examining results from a California testing program created to detect lead in charter and public school drinking water. Analyzes factors associated with access to safe drinking water, including differences between rural and urban schools. Features data and statistics indicating whether school water systems were compliant with health standards and whether school drinking water was tested for lead.
Author(s): Isioma L. Umunna, Lauren S. Blacker, Christina E. Hecht, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 12/2020
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Study examining results from a California testing program created to detect lead in charter and public school drinking water. Analyzes factors associated with access to safe drinking water, including differences between rural and urban schools. Features data and statistics indicating whether school water systems were compliant with health standards and whether school drinking water was tested for lead.
Author(s): Isioma L. Umunna, Lauren S. Blacker, Christina E. Hecht, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 12/2020
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NRHA Rapid Response Policy Brief: Telehealth
Policy position brief outlining the National Rural Health Association's policy statements and recommendations to encourage the adoption of telehealth services in rural America. Discusses reimbursement, healthcare quality, broadband access, and other telehealth policy topics.
Author(s): Pat Schou, Sarah Huling, Brady Beecham, Leslie Marsh, Rachael Sherard
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Policy position brief outlining the National Rural Health Association's policy statements and recommendations to encourage the adoption of telehealth services in rural America. Discusses reimbursement, healthcare quality, broadband access, and other telehealth policy topics.
Author(s): Pat Schou, Sarah Huling, Brady Beecham, Leslie Marsh, Rachael Sherard
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Indian Health 101: Fulfilling a Promise
Presents an overview of the Indian Health Service (IHS) including the legislative history and financial support for the development of IHS. Discusses health outcomes and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 experienced by American Indians/Alaska Natives.
Author(s): Christopher D. Chavis
Date: 11/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Indian Health Board
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Presents an overview of the Indian Health Service (IHS) including the legislative history and financial support for the development of IHS. Discusses health outcomes and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 experienced by American Indians/Alaska Natives.
Author(s): Christopher D. Chavis
Date: 11/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Indian Health Board
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The Future of State Telehealth Policy
Provides an overview of state and federal telehealth flexibilities implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses long-term considerations for governors regarding the impact of these flexibilities on healthcare delivery and payment and the appropriateness of these policies in the future.
Date: 11/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Governors Association
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Provides an overview of state and federal telehealth flexibilities implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses long-term considerations for governors regarding the impact of these flexibilities on healthcare delivery and payment and the appropriateness of these policies in the future.
Date: 11/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Governors Association
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The Evolving Landscape of National Telehealth Policies During a Public Health Emergency: Responsiveness to Rural Needs
Provides an overview of the telehealth policy landscape and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on telehealth utilization. Compares policy recommendations from the Bipartisan Policy Center's Rural Health Task Force to COVID-19-related policy changes. Includes considerations for additional telehealth policy changes.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Hannah Rochford, Andrew F. Coburn, et al.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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Provides an overview of the telehealth policy landscape and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on telehealth utilization. Compares policy recommendations from the Bipartisan Policy Center's Rural Health Task Force to COVID-19-related policy changes. Includes considerations for additional telehealth policy changes.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Hannah Rochford, Andrew F. Coburn, et al.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2021
Comment on an August 17, 2020, Federal Register proposed rule revising the physician fee schedule to improve payment systems for physicians and other Medicare Part B revisions. Includes a discussion of COVID-19-related telehealth expansion.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Comment on an August 17, 2020, Federal Register proposed rule revising the physician fee schedule to improve payment systems for physicians and other Medicare Part B revisions. Includes a discussion of COVID-19-related telehealth expansion.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems and Quality Reporting Programs for CY 2021
Comments on an August 12, 2020, Federal Register proposed rule revising the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ACS) payment system for calendar year 2021. Includes comments on payment rates for separately payable non–pass-through drugs obtained through the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Comments on an August 12, 2020, Federal Register proposed rule revising the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ACS) payment system for calendar year 2021. Includes comments on payment rates for separately payable non–pass-through drugs obtained through the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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