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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy

Bridging Rural Health Research and Policy: Dissemination Strategies
Describes five strategies for effective dissemination and expanded use of rural health services research and discusses the infrastructure needed to enhance rural health research dissemination.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Timothy D. McBride, Andrew F. Coburn, et al.
Date: 08/2007
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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How Will Elimination of Hospital Bad Debt Reimbursement Affect Rural PPS Hospitals?
Examines the financial effect that changes in Medicare bad debt payment policy could have on rural hospitals.
Author(s): Janet P. Sutton, Alene Kennedy, Lucia Hammer, Grace Yang
Date: 07/2007
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
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Child Welfare: HHS Actions Would Help States Prepare Youth in the Foster Care System for Independent Living
Discusses states' activities to prepare youth in foster care for independent living under the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 (FCIA). Includes some information specific to rural concerns.
Additional links: Full Report
Author(s): Cornelia M. Ashby
Date: 07/2007
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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National Advisory Committee on Rural Health & Human Services Meeting Minutes, Fort Collins, Colorado, June 10-12, 2007
Minutes from the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services' 56th meeting. The meeting included background on Colorado-specific health and demographic information, and reports from the Health and Human Services Panels.
Date: 06/2007
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Retail Pharmacy Participation in Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans in 2006
Discusses the extent to which retail pharmacies participate in Medicare Part D stand-alone prescription drug plans (PDPs). Includes comparison of pharmacy participation rates among metropolitan and nonmetropolitan pharmacies.
Date: 06/2007
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Potential Refinements to Medicare's Wage Indexes for Hospitals and Other Sectors
Analyzes issues in the Medicare wage index and alternative wage indexes. Includes a historical overview of the Medicare wage index.
Author(s): Kathleen Dalton, Gregory C. Pope, Walter Adamache, Brian Dulisse, Nathan West
Date: 06/2007
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Promoting Greater Efficiency in Medicare
Describes the changing beneficiary profile in Medicare and its implications for the program. Examines approaches to promote greater efficiency in the Medicare program. Includes in-depth discussion of the wage index and rural areas.
Date: 06/2007
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Ambulance Providers: Costs and Expected Medicare Margins Vary Greatly
Examines the differences in providers' costs of ambulance transports in 2004 and factors that contributed to these differences. Includes information for urban, rural, and super-rural areas.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 05/2007
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Nursing Workforce: HHS Needs Methodology to Identify Facilities with a Critical Shortage of Nurses
Reports on changes in the registered nurse (RN) shortage since 2000. Also discusses the impact of the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP) and Nursing Scholarship Program (NSP) on the shortage of nurses.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2007
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Access to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare: How Easy is it for Veterans - Addressing the Gaps
An April 18, 2007 hearing of the Subcommittee on Health, U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Discusses VA successes in providing quality care for rural veterans and suggestions for further improving veterans' access to quality healthcare in rural communities.
Date: 04/2007
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Health
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