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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy

Rural Implications of Changes to the Medicare Hospice Benefit
Policy brief highlights an April 2013 meeting in Grand Junction, Colorado, of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services. Presents the committee's recommendations and analyses of ACA provisions which may have rural implications regarding challenges and innovations in hospice and palliative care in rural and frontier areas.
Date: 08/2013
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Most Critical Access Hospitals Would Not Meet the Location Requirements if Required to Re-Enroll in Medicare
Recommends that CMS seek legislative authority to remove the permanent distance exemption for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) that currently have Necessary Provider designations.
Date: 08/2013
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Health Workforce Assessment: Tools for Policymakers and Planners
Provides information and statistics on the rural healthcare workforce, assessments, and other factors affecting the delivery of healthcare in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho.
Author(s): Susan M. Skillman, Davis G. Patterson, Denise M. Lishner, Mark P. Doescher, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Date: 07/2013
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Building and Maintaining the Rural Health Workforce: Resources and Strategies
Provides examples of national and regional programs in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. Focuses on programs that support the education, recruitment, and retention of the rural healthcare workforce.
Author(s): Davis G. Patterson, Denise M. Lishner, Susan M. Skillman, Mark P. Doescher
Date: 07/2013
Sponsoring organization: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
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The Rural Health Workforce in the WWAMI States: By the Numbers
Provides statistics on healthcare professionals in rural and urban areas of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho.
Author(s): Davis G. Patterson, Susan M. Skillman, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Denise M. Lishner, Mark P. Doescher
Date: 07/2013
Sponsoring organization: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
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The Rural Health Workforce: Challenges and Opportunities
Describes characteristics and challenges of the rural healthcare workforce in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. Covers factors affecting delivery of healthcare in rural areas.
Author(s): Susan M. Skillman, Davis G. Patterson, Denise M. Lishner, Mark P. Doescher
Date: 07/2013
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Emergency Services and Telemedicine: Implications for Emergency Services Condition of Participation (CoPs) and Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) On-Call Compliance
Memorandum clarifying the CMS Conditions of Participation (CoP) for Critical Access Hospital emergency services and Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) On-Call Compliance.
Date: 06/2013
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Report to Congress, 2013: Update on the Adoption of Health Information Technology and Related Efforts to Facilitate the Electronic Use and Exchange of Information
Describes efforts to facilitate the nationwide adoption and exchange of electronic health information and identifies barriers to the adoption and exchange of electronic clinical data. Includes information on how the HIT Regional Extension Centers are supporting rural healthcare facilities.
Date: 06/2013
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Medicare and the Health Care Delivery System, June 2013
Includes chapters on Medicare and ambulatory settings, bundling payments for post acute care, hospice, reducing hospital admissions, dual eligible beneficiaries, and Medicare payments for ambulance services, physicians, and outpatient therapy. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 06/2013
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Public Health, Workforce, Quality, and Related Provisions in ACA: Summary and Timeline
One in a series of CRS products on the ACA (as amended by HCERA), summarizes the new law's workforce, public health, quality, and related provisions. Covers provision implications for rural areas.
Date: 05/2013
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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