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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy

2021 Legislative and Policy Agenda for Indian Health
Provides policy recommendations from the National Indian Health Board regarding tribal health issues. Addresses COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, telehealth capacity, Indian Health Service funding, tribal public health, behavioral health, Medicare and Medicaid access, and more.
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Indian Health Board
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HRSA Rural Health Community-Based Division (CBD) Funding: Success Stories and Meaningful Impact
Policy brief providing an overview of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy's (FORHP) Community-Based Division (CBD) grant programs and outcomes. Offers policy recommendations regarding future funding of the CBD grant program.
Author(s): Crystal Barter, Melinda A. Merrell, Bree Watzak
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Addressing Higher Risk of Suicide Among Farmers in Rural America
Policy brief highlighting factors contributing to the higher risk of suicide among farmers, including financial pressures, social pressures, and access to care. Offers policy recommendations to promote and improve farmers' mental health.
Author(s): Rosalie Eisenreich, Carolyn Pollari
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Medicare Reimbursement in Rural America
Policy brief discussing Medicare reimbursement for services provided at rural hospitals and how it impacts hospital finances. Provides policy recommendations for rural health reimbursement, and identifies and other considerations for addressing rural healthcare sustainability.
Author(s): Eric Schlidt, Cody Wilkinson
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Rural EMS Workforce: A Call to Action
Policy brief discussing rural emergency medical services (EMS) systems. Highlights challenges facing the rural EMS workforce, including the costs of training and reimbursement concerns. Outlines policy recommendations to strengthen rural EMS systems.
Author(s): Christopher McLaughlin, Olivia Riutta, Jonnathan Busko
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Rural Health Preparedness Policy Brief
Policy brief providing an overview of challenges rural communities experience preparing for and mitigating the effects of disasters and public health emergencies. Offers guidelines and recommendations to improve rural preparedness.
Author(s): Stacie Pace, Jordan Tenenbaum, Michael Meit
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Rural Obstetric Unit Closures and Maternal and Infant Health
Policy paper examining the discontinuation of obstetric services in rural communities. Discusses factors contributing to obstetric unit closures, including hospital financial constraints, Medicaid reimbursement rates, and maternal health workforce concerns. Offers policy recommendations to prevent additional obstetric unit closures in rural areas.
Author(s): Lindsay Corcoran, Catherine Clary, Sarah Brinkman
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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COVID Relief Funding for Medicaid Providers
Analyzes the distribution of COVID-19 provider relief funds to Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) providers. Discusses barriers Medicaid providers experience in applying for COVID relief funding. Presents data on the share of potentially eligible providers who received funding by enrollment in Medicare and provider type. Includes information on the distribution of funding to hospitals by hospital type, urban or rural status, and deemed DSH status.
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Oversight Hearing "A Call to Action: Native Communities' Priorities in Focus for the 117th Congress."
Recording of an oversight hearing of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on the current needs of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities related to COVID-19, healthcare, housing, and infrastructure, among other issues. Features testimonies by representatives of the National Congress of American Indians, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Alaska Federation of Natives.
Additional links: Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey Testimony, Fawn Sharp Testimony, Julie Kitka Testimony, Leonard Forsman Testimony
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
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Meeting the Challenge of Caring for Persons Living with Dementia and Their Care Partners and Caregivers: A Way Forward
Examines the existing evidence on care interventions, services, and supports for people with dementia and their caregivers. Discusses gaps in the current evidence base and opportunities for future research. Describes interventions that can be implemented in a variety of settings to continue to expand the evidence base. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Additional links: Read Online
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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