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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy

Medicare Learning Network: Rural Emergency Hospitals
Details the regulatory requirements for providers to become a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH). Provides information on REH billing for Medicare services, Medicare payments for REH services, and the additional monthly facility payment.
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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October 2024 MedPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) October 2024 meeting. Covers an analysis of Medicare beneficiaries in nursing homes, findings from MedPAC's annual beneficiary and provider focus groups, supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage, a work plan for a mandated final report on the impact of recent changes to the home health prospective payment system, and initial estimates of home health care use among Medicare Advantage enrollees. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Medicare Beneficiaries in Nursing Homes - Presentation Slides
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Immigrant Mental Health in North Carolina: A Landscape Analysis
Presents knowledge gained from a collaboration between the North Carolina Institute of Medicine and El Futuro, a community-based nonprofit organization, to build resources for serving immigrants in North Carolina. Features sections on access to mental healthcare for immigrants and policies that influence immigrant mental health. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organizations: El Futuro, North Carolina Institute of Medicine
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Hospital Price Transparency: What Hospitals Need to Know – Part 2
Webinar recording presents part two of a discussion on CMS's hospital price transparency requirement that went into effect on January 1, 2024. Features a presentation from a representative from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Technology Innovation Supporting Access to Rural Health and Human Services: Possibilities and Encouraging Further Investments
Describes the potential of technological innovation to improve access to rural healthcare and human services and the challenges of attracting new technology to rural and tribal areas. Summarizes themes and policy considerations that emerged from the April 2024 meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Health and Human Services on this topic. Offers policy recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services related to supporting technological innovation and solutions for rural health.
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organizations: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services, Rural Policy Research Institute
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Quality Measurement in Rural Health Clinics: Policy Brief and Recommendations to the Secretary
Provides an overview of the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) program, RHC participation in value-based programs and models, and quality reporting challenges. Describes opportunities for growth in RHC quality reporting. Offers two policy recommendations to support RHC participation in value-based care.
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Understanding Childcare Challenges in Rural America: Strategic Recommendations and an Action Framework
Provides an overview of challenges and barriers to early childcare in rural areas. Offers a roadmap for companies and organizations to identify and address childcare shortages in their communities, as well as state, local, employer, and facility-based recommendations. Features examples of emerging childcare models and initiatives implemented by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association members.
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Foundation for Rural Service, NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association
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Fiscal Years 2021-2023 USDA Report to Congress on Reducing Barriers to Food Access
Examines federal strategies between October 2020 and September 2023 to improve food access in the United States. Discusses resilient food systems, nutrition assistance programs, safety and sustainability, and research and evaluation activities. Includes examples of rural and tribal development, food policy, and funding.
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
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Rural Health Policy: The Long and Winding Road
Presentation slides that offer highlights of rural health policy milestones, such as changes in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), value-based care, accountable care organizations, and more.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
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Telehealth: Supplement or Supplant?
Presentation slides that cover highlights regarding value-based care and payment, telehealth use during the COVID-19 public health emergency, optimal use of telehealth as well as potential issues, related policy, and more.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
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