Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-2): Private Health Insurance, Medicaid, CHIP, and Medicare Provisions
Provides an overview of the provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that relate to private health insurance, Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare. Includes information on provisions specific to rural providers.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
view details
Provides an overview of the provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that relate to private health insurance, Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare. Includes information on provisions specific to rural providers.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
view details
Making It Plain: Rural Hospitals and the Healthcare Delivery System
Recording of an April 21, 2021, town hall discussing COVID-19 epidemiological trends, compliance with public health guidance, and vaccine rates in rural communities. Explores barriers and solutions regarding vaccine administration and acceptance in rural areas, and describes federal plans to promote vaccine acceptance in rural communities. Features speakers from the Black Coalition Against COVID-19 (BCAC), the American Hospital Association, and the White House COVID-19 response team, among others.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: BlackDoctor.org
view details
Recording of an April 21, 2021, town hall discussing COVID-19 epidemiological trends, compliance with public health guidance, and vaccine rates in rural communities. Explores barriers and solutions regarding vaccine administration and acceptance in rural areas, and describes federal plans to promote vaccine acceptance in rural communities. Features speakers from the Black Coalition Against COVID-19 (BCAC), the American Hospital Association, and the White House COVID-19 response team, among others.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: BlackDoctor.org
view details
Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act & Related Legislation and Administrative Action Impacting Rural Health
Provides an overview of legislation passed by Congress regarding COVID-19. Identifies provisions relevant to rural healthcare providers, including the Paycheck Protection Program, funding for public health and rural workforce programs, telehealth flexibilities, and more.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
view details
Provides an overview of legislation passed by Congress regarding COVID-19. Identifies provisions relevant to rural healthcare providers, including the Paycheck Protection Program, funding for public health and rural workforce programs, telehealth flexibilities, and more.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
view details
Oversight Hearing "Examining the COVID-19 Response in Native Communities: Native Health Systems One Year Later"
Recording of an oversight hearing of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs evaluates the response of native healthcare systems to the COVID-19 one year into the pandemic. Features testimonies by representatives of the Indian Health Service, the National Indian Health Board, the National Council of Urban Indian Health, the Papa Ola LÅkahi organization, and the Alaska Native Medical Center.
Additional links: Michael Toedt Testimony, Robert Onders Testimony, Sheri-Ann Daniels Testimony, Walter Murillo Testimony, William Smith Testimony
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
view details
Recording of an oversight hearing of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs evaluates the response of native healthcare systems to the COVID-19 one year into the pandemic. Features testimonies by representatives of the Indian Health Service, the National Indian Health Board, the National Council of Urban Indian Health, the Papa Ola LÅkahi organization, and the Alaska Native Medical Center.
Additional links: Michael Toedt Testimony, Robert Onders Testimony, Sheri-Ann Daniels Testimony, Walter Murillo Testimony, William Smith Testimony
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
view details
COVID-19: Efforts to Increase Vaccine Availability and Perspectives on Initial Implementation
Examines the federal government's efforts related to COVID-19 vaccines between October 2020 and April 2021, including vaccine development and vaccination program implementation. Describes challenges to vaccine implementation and steps taken by the government in response.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
view details
Examines the federal government's efforts related to COVID-19 vaccines between October 2020 and April 2021, including vaccine development and vaccination program implementation. Describes challenges to vaccine implementation and steps taken by the government in response.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
view details
Strengthening Primary Care and Improving Population Health: Nebraska's Approach
Explores efforts to strengthen primary care in Nebraska through Patient-Centered Medical Homes, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), and the Comprehensive Primary Care Plus program. Discusses the development of pilot programs and a partnership with a local nonprofit and the University of Nebraska College of Public Health.
Author(s): Martha Hostetter, Sarah Klein
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
view details
Explores efforts to strengthen primary care in Nebraska through Patient-Centered Medical Homes, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), and the Comprehensive Primary Care Plus program. Discusses the development of pilot programs and a partnership with a local nonprofit and the University of Nebraska College of Public Health.
Author(s): Martha Hostetter, Sarah Klein
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
view details
Care Systems COVID-19 Impact Assessment: Lessons Learned and Compelling Needs
Explores the clinical and public health responses and experiences of hospitals and health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presents policy actions and policy considerations to leverage the lessons of the pandemic to improve health system financing, infrastructure, and coordination. Includes information on challenges and priority areas for consideration for rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals.
Author(s): Jeffrey Balser, Jaewon Ryu, Michelle Hood, et al.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
view details
Explores the clinical and public health responses and experiences of hospitals and health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presents policy actions and policy considerations to leverage the lessons of the pandemic to improve health system financing, infrastructure, and coordination. Includes information on challenges and priority areas for consideration for rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals.
Author(s): Jeffrey Balser, Jaewon Ryu, Michelle Hood, et al.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
view details
VA Health Care: Efforts Needed to Ensure Effective Use and Appropriate Staffing of Suicide Prevention Teams
Report evaluates the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA's) utilization of suicide prevention teams to prevent suicides among veterans. Evaluation makes recommendations for elevating benchmarks of the program and improving team staffing.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
view details
Report evaluates the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA's) utilization of suicide prevention teams to prevent suicides among veterans. Evaluation makes recommendations for elevating benchmarks of the program and improving team staffing.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
view details
2021 Idaho Primary Care Needs Assessment
Identifies Idaho communities with the greatest unmet healthcare needs, disparities, and healthcare workforce shortages, and discusses key barriers to accessing preventive and primary care services. Includes sections on Health Professional Shortage Areas, Medically Underserved Areas and Populations, the Idaho State Loan Repayment Program, the Rural Physician Incentive Program, primary care educational opportunities, and advanced medical training programs in Idaho. Features maps showing urban, rural, and frontier areas, locations of Rural Health Clinics, and locations of Critical Access Hospitals.
Author(s): Alex Prado
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Idaho Bureau of Rural Health and Primary Care
view details
Identifies Idaho communities with the greatest unmet healthcare needs, disparities, and healthcare workforce shortages, and discusses key barriers to accessing preventive and primary care services. Includes sections on Health Professional Shortage Areas, Medically Underserved Areas and Populations, the Idaho State Loan Repayment Program, the Rural Physician Incentive Program, primary care educational opportunities, and advanced medical training programs in Idaho. Features maps showing urban, rural, and frontier areas, locations of Rural Health Clinics, and locations of Critical Access Hospitals.
Author(s): Alex Prado
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Idaho Bureau of Rural Health and Primary Care
view details
March 2021 MedPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) March 2021 meeting. Features a discussion on rural Medicare beneficiaries' access to care. Also covers the skilled nursing facility value-based purchasing program and proposed replacement, streamlining CMS's portfolio of alternative payment models, balancing efficiency with equity in Medicare Advantage benchmark policy, and the relationship between clinician services and other Medicare services.
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
view details
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) March 2021 meeting. Features a discussion on rural Medicare beneficiaries' access to care. Also covers the skilled nursing facility value-based purchasing program and proposed replacement, streamlining CMS's portfolio of alternative payment models, balancing efficiency with equity in Medicare Advantage benchmark policy, and the relationship between clinician services and other Medicare services.
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
view details