Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy
Ensuring Medicare Beneficiary Access: A Path to Telehealth Permanency
Recording of a November 14, 2023, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittee on Health Care hearing on the role of telehealth in improving access to care and the potential to make COVID-19 Medicare flexibilities permanent. Features testimony from Nicki Perisho, Principal Investigator and Program Director for the Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center, and Eric Wallace, Medical Director for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Health System Telehealth Program.
Additional links: Eric Wallace, UAB Health System Telehealth Program - Testimony, Nicki Perisho, Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center - Testimony
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Finance, Subcommittee on Health Care
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Recording of a November 14, 2023, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittee on Health Care hearing on the role of telehealth in improving access to care and the potential to make COVID-19 Medicare flexibilities permanent. Features testimony from Nicki Perisho, Principal Investigator and Program Director for the Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center, and Eric Wallace, Medical Director for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Health System Telehealth Program.
Additional links: Eric Wallace, UAB Health System Telehealth Program - Testimony, Nicki Perisho, Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center - Testimony
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Finance, Subcommittee on Health Care
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Improving Access to Primary Care for Underserved Populations: A Review of Findings from Five Case Studies and Recommendations
Summarizes and synthesizes the findings from a series of five case studies that explored the impact of policy initiatives that aim to improve access to primary care. Covers increasing the availability of primary care providers, improving underserved communities' access to outpatient clinics, removing structural barriers to care, making primary care affordable, and improving comfort and communication between providers and patients. Presents recommendations for federal and state policymakers, primary care practices, medical schools, and other relevant stakeholders. Includes rural examples and considerations throughout.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Maanasa Kona, Jalisa Clark, Emma Walsh-Alker
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Center on Health Insurance Reforms, Milbank Memorial Fund, National Institute for Health Care Reform
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Summarizes and synthesizes the findings from a series of five case studies that explored the impact of policy initiatives that aim to improve access to primary care. Covers increasing the availability of primary care providers, improving underserved communities' access to outpatient clinics, removing structural barriers to care, making primary care affordable, and improving comfort and communication between providers and patients. Presents recommendations for federal and state policymakers, primary care practices, medical schools, and other relevant stakeholders. Includes rural examples and considerations throughout.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Maanasa Kona, Jalisa Clark, Emma Walsh-Alker
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Center on Health Insurance Reforms, Milbank Memorial Fund, National Institute for Health Care Reform
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Examining Alignment of Community Health Teams' Preferences for Health, Equity, and Spending with State All-payer Waiver Priorities: A Discrete Choice Experiment
Provides an overview of the Vermont All-Payer Model (VAPM) and regional community health teams (CHTs). Analyzes the results of a survey of all 13 Vermont CHTs to describe how VAPM and CHTs interact and how VAPM impacts the priorities and design of community-based CHTs. Examines how community-based CHTs make trade-offs made between health, health equity, and healthcare spending.
Author(s): Eline M. van den Broek-Altenburg, Jamie S. Benson, Adam J. Atherly
Citation: Health Services Research, 59(Suppl.1), e14257
Date: 11/2023
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Provides an overview of the Vermont All-Payer Model (VAPM) and regional community health teams (CHTs). Analyzes the results of a survey of all 13 Vermont CHTs to describe how VAPM and CHTs interact and how VAPM impacts the priorities and design of community-based CHTs. Examines how community-based CHTs make trade-offs made between health, health equity, and healthcare spending.
Author(s): Eline M. van den Broek-Altenburg, Jamie S. Benson, Adam J. Atherly
Citation: Health Services Research, 59(Suppl.1), e14257
Date: 11/2023
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The Future of Rural Hospitals and Health Systems
Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Joanne Conroy, M.D., Dartmouth Health president and CEO and the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees' chair-elect. Explores the future of rural hospitals and health systems and possible solutions to providing quality, cost-efficient care in rural communities.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Joanne Conroy, M.D., Dartmouth Health president and CEO and the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees' chair-elect. Explores the future of rural hospitals and health systems and possible solutions to providing quality, cost-efficient care in rural communities.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Healthy Eating and Active Living Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes in Rural Louisiana: A Contextual Inquiry to Inform Implementation Strategies
Analyzed public health practitioner focus group discussion data to identify factors impacting implementation of healthy eating and active living policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes in rural Louisiana. Discusses partnerships, funding, resources, policy, and more.
Author(s): Bailey Houghtaling, Laura Balis, Nila Pradhananga, Melissa Cater, Denise Holston
Citation: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 20, 132
Date: 11/2023
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Analyzed public health practitioner focus group discussion data to identify factors impacting implementation of healthy eating and active living policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes in rural Louisiana. Discusses partnerships, funding, resources, policy, and more.
Author(s): Bailey Houghtaling, Laura Balis, Nila Pradhananga, Melissa Cater, Denise Holston
Citation: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 20, 132
Date: 11/2023
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Recent Incarceration, Substance Use, Overdose, and Service Use Among People Who Use Drugs in Rural Communities
Compares 2,935 people who use drugs (PWUD) in rural areas of 10 states to evaluate the impact of time since last incarceration on access to treatment and overdose rates. Discusses policy measures that could increase access to and successful completion of treatment for substance use disorders.
Author(s): Daniel B. Hoover, Todd Korthuis, Elizabeth Needham Waddell, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(11), 2342222
Date: 11/2023
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Compares 2,935 people who use drugs (PWUD) in rural areas of 10 states to evaluate the impact of time since last incarceration on access to treatment and overdose rates. Discusses policy measures that could increase access to and successful completion of treatment for substance use disorders.
Author(s): Daniel B. Hoover, Todd Korthuis, Elizabeth Needham Waddell, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(11), 2342222
Date: 11/2023
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Rural Emergency Hospital Conversion and Technical Assistance Webinar
Recording of a November 2, 2023, webinar discussing the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program. Provides an overview of the REH designation, policy and regulatory requirements, and REH Technical Assistance Center (TAC) services. Presentation slides include links to resources and templates. Transcript available in the video description.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Redesign Center
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Recording of a November 2, 2023, webinar discussing the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program. Provides an overview of the REH designation, policy and regulatory requirements, and REH Technical Assistance Center (TAC) services. Presentation slides include links to resources and templates. Transcript available in the video description.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Redesign Center
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Fentanyl in Native Communities: Native Perspectives on Addressing the Growing Crisis
Recording of a November 8, 2023 hearing discussing fentanyl in both Native Hawaiian and American Indian and Alaska Native Communities. Features testimony from Lummi Nation, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota, Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation, and representatives of the behavioral health and public health fields. Discusses the criminal justice system, behavioral health workforce shortages, health impacts of historical trauma, and more. Captions available within the video player.
Additional links: Dr. A. Aukahi Austin Seabury, Ph.D., I Ola Lāhui, Inc. - Testimony, Dr. Claradina Soto, Ph.D., Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California - Testimony, Mr. Eric M. Gettis, Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium - Testimony, The Honorable Bryce Kirk, Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck - Testimony, The Honorable Jamie S. Azure, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota - Testimony, The Honorable Tony Hillaire, Lummi Nation - Testimony
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
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Recording of a November 8, 2023 hearing discussing fentanyl in both Native Hawaiian and American Indian and Alaska Native Communities. Features testimony from Lummi Nation, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota, Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation, and representatives of the behavioral health and public health fields. Discusses the criminal justice system, behavioral health workforce shortages, health impacts of historical trauma, and more. Captions available within the video player.
Additional links: Dr. A. Aukahi Austin Seabury, Ph.D., I Ola Lāhui, Inc. - Testimony, Dr. Claradina Soto, Ph.D., Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California - Testimony, Mr. Eric M. Gettis, Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium - Testimony, The Honorable Bryce Kirk, Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck - Testimony, The Honorable Jamie S. Azure, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota - Testimony, The Honorable Tony Hillaire, Lummi Nation - Testimony
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
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RHC Emergency Preparedness 101
Recording of a November 7, 2023, webinar on Rural Health Clinic (RHC) emergency preparedness requirements. Provides an overview of the regulatory and interpretive guidance requirements and discusses the components of an emergency preparedness manual. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of a November 7, 2023, webinar on Rural Health Clinic (RHC) emergency preparedness requirements. Provides an overview of the regulatory and interpretive guidance requirements and discusses the components of an emergency preparedness manual. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Accessing Clean Water Infrastructure Assistance: Small, Rural, Disadvantaged, and Underserved Communities
Recording of a November 8, 2023, hearing exploring how the Clean Water State Revolving Fund can help address wastewater infrastructure challenges faced by small, rural, disadvantaged, and underserved communities. Features testimony from the Rural Community Assistance Partnership; Nueces River Authority; and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division.
Additional links: John Byrum, Nueces River Authority - Testimony, Olga Morales-Pate, Rural Community Assistance Partnership - Testimony, Shellie R. Chard, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality - Testimony
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
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Recording of a November 8, 2023, hearing exploring how the Clean Water State Revolving Fund can help address wastewater infrastructure challenges faced by small, rural, disadvantaged, and underserved communities. Features testimony from the Rural Community Assistance Partnership; Nueces River Authority; and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division.
Additional links: John Byrum, Nueces River Authority - Testimony, Olga Morales-Pate, Rural Community Assistance Partnership - Testimony, Shellie R. Chard, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality - Testimony
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
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