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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Legislation and regulations

Legal and Historical Roots of Health Care for American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States
Discusses the history of healthcare provision to American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Includes a timeline of legislative and historical events as well as detailed overview of the laws, federal agencies, and issues involved. Also includes a brief section on more recent issues in AI/AN healthcare.
Author(s): Brett Lee Shelton
Date: 02/2004
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
Text of the legislation that adds a prescription drug benefit to Medicare and enhances some rural healthcare programs, such as the Critical Access Hospitals program.
Date: 11/2003
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Public Law 105-33: Balanced Budget Act of 1997
Includes the entire text of Public Law 105-33, commonly known as the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. The legislation created the Critical Access Hospital designation and outlines details of the program, including eligibility and operational regulations.
Date: 08/1997
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress
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Public Law 95–210: Rural Health Clinic Services Act of 1977
Text of the Rural Health Clinic Services Act of 1977, Public Law 95–210 (December 13, 1977). This legislation established the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) designation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs and outlines details of the designation.
Date: 1977
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress
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Designation Requirements for Selected Federal Programs
Shows HPSA and MUA/P designation requirements for the National Health Service Corps, Federally Qualified Health Center program, CMS Medicare Incentive Payment, CMS Rural Health Clinic program, and J-1 visa waivers.
Sponsoring organization: Alabama Public Health
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Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program
Provides an overview of the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. Includes information on the strategic goals of the program, program structure, approved uses of funds, eligibility, and application timeline.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Health Workforce Legislation Database
Identifies state legislation addressing health workforce issues, including specific professions, education and training, licensure and certification, recruitment and retention, and scope of practice. Updated every two weeks, with information on legislation starting in 2024. Searchable by year, state, topic or keyword.
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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SUN Meals To-Go (Non-Congregate Summer Meal Service)
Provides information on implementation requirements of non-congregate meal service (SUN Meals To-Go) in low-income, rural areas. Includes resources as well as policies on site caps, site proximity, parent and guardian pick-up, and more.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
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State-Based Rural Grocery Policy Tracker
Tracks state legislation that impacts rural grocers and communities. Allows user to submit relevant legislation to the tracker.
Sponsoring organizations: Kansas State University, Rural Grocery Initiative
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Behavioral Health Careers by State
Tool provides information on basic requirements for careers in the fields of mental health and substance use. Includes details on licensure needed, issuing agency, and license renewal requirements for each state.
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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