Trends in Network Focus Areas among Network Development Planning Grantees, 2003-2020
Policy brief examining focus areas of networks funded by the Network Planning Grant program, to determine whether there are trends in scope and substance of rural health networks. Includes a chart showing focus areas with breakdowns by year from 2003-2020.
Author(s): Katie Rydberg, Mariana Tuttle, Jill Tanem, Mary Gilbertson, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Evaluation of the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model: Fourth Annual Report
Evaluates the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model, which tests the impact of providing financial incentives to home health agencies in nine states: Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington. Reports on the experiences of home health agencies and patients through 2019, the fourth performance year of the HHVBP Model, and the second year that agencies in the HHVBP states received a payment adjustment. Examines the impacts of the HHVBP Model on Medicare expenditures, healthcare utilization, quality of care and patient experience, and agency operations. Discusses rural access to high-quality home health agencies and the impact of HHVBP on rural home health patients.
Additional links: Findings at a Glance
Author(s): Alyssa Pozniak, Marc Turenne, Eric Lammers, et al.
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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State and Community Efforts to Address Stimulant Use
Explores state and community-based efforts to address stimulant misuse. Summarizes common themes and key findings that emerged from discussions with a diverse group of stakeholders. Covers program activities, funding sources, facilitators, and barriers to implementing programs to respond to stimulant use. Identifies policy options for community, state, and federal stakeholders. Includes rural references throughout.
Author(s): Rebecca L. Haffajee, Sara Heins
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, RAND Corporation
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Success among Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Awardees: Barriers and Facilitators
Policy brief examining challenges and successes in meeting goals for the Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant, using survey data from 42 rural grantees from the years 2003-2018. Intended to inform policies and programs supporting healthcare and health in rural areas at the local level.
Author(s): Mariana Tuttle, Katie Rydberg, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Overview of the Universal Service Fund and Selected Federal Broadband Programs
Provides an overview of federal programs supporting broadband deployment. Highlights programs established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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COVID-19 Health Care Flexibilities: Perspectives, Experiences, and Lessons Learned
Recording of a May 19, 2021, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance hearing on healthcare flexibilities implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on telehealth. Discusses lessons learned and considerations for the extension of these flexibilities beyond the pandemic.
Additional links: Kisha Davis Testimony, Narayana Murali Testimony
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Finance
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RHC COVID Initiatives Webinar
Recording of a May 19, 2021, webinar providing an overview of federal actions regarding COVID-19 vaccine confidence, testing and mitigation, and vaccine access specific to Rural Health Clinics. Covers program funding, eligibility, and application processes. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 05/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Medicare and Telehealth: Coverage and Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Options for the Future
Provides an overview of changes made to Medicare's coverage of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Explores Medicare beneficiaries' use of telehealth in summer and fall 2020, and presents data by beneficiary age, race and ethnicity, dual-eligibility, presence and type of chronic conditions, and metropolitan status. Examines issues and questions regarding telehealth coverage beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Author(s): Wyatt Koma, Juliette Cubanski, Tricia Neuman
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Kaiser Family Foundation
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AHA Future of Rural Health Care Task Force: Final Recommendations
Presents the recommendations of the American Hospital Association Future of Rural Health Care Task Force, including innovation-based solutions and promising practices. Solutions include public-private funding changes for core services, flexible rural hospital infrastructure funding programs, creating a rural design center, and supporting grant writing services. Explores promising rural initiatives such as telemedicine, strategic partnerships, maternal health efforts, broadband investment, and rural philanthropy.
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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5G Fund for Rural America
Provides an overview of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) efforts to expand universal service to include telecommunications and high-speed internet services. Describes the 5G Fund, how data will be collected, how funds will be awarded, and the two phases of the program.
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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