Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy
Addressing the Opioid Crisis: A Look at the Evolving Landscape of Federal OUD Treatment Policies
Provides an overview of five federal policies that impacted the provision of opioid use disorder (OUD) treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Covers regulations related to buprenorphine medication, methadone dispensing programs, overdose prevention and reversal methods, and leveraging Medicaid for pre- and post-release from prison OUD treatment services. Discusses how state laws may limit federal efforts.
Author(s): Heather Saunders, Nirmita Panchal
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Provides an overview of five federal policies that impacted the provision of opioid use disorder (OUD) treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Covers regulations related to buprenorphine medication, methadone dispensing programs, overdose prevention and reversal methods, and leveraging Medicaid for pre- and post-release from prison OUD treatment services. Discusses how state laws may limit federal efforts.
Author(s): Heather Saunders, Nirmita Panchal
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Early Financial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on U.S. Hospitals
Examines how hospital profitability changed during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Explores the association between COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations and county-level variables to operating margins (OMs) and total margins (TMs). Presents data by hospital characteristics, including size and Critical Access Hospital status, and compares findings from urban and rural hospitals.
Author(s): Kate Li, Mona Al-Amin, Michael D. Rosko
Citation: Journal of Healthcare Management, 68(4), 268-283
Date: 07/2023
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Examines how hospital profitability changed during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Explores the association between COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations and county-level variables to operating margins (OMs) and total margins (TMs). Presents data by hospital characteristics, including size and Critical Access Hospital status, and compares findings from urban and rural hospitals.
Author(s): Kate Li, Mona Al-Amin, Michael D. Rosko
Citation: Journal of Healthcare Management, 68(4), 268-283
Date: 07/2023
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Indian Health Service: Actions Needed to Improve Use of Data on Adverse Events
Examines how the Indian Health Service (IHS) uses its electronic health record system to monitor healthcare quality and adverse events at federally-operated facilities. Discusses how IHS informs clinicians and patients about options for telehealth use. Offers recommendations to IHS regarding regularly reviewing adverse event trends, making improvements, and disseminating best practices.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Examines how the Indian Health Service (IHS) uses its electronic health record system to monitor healthcare quality and adverse events at federally-operated facilities. Discusses how IHS informs clinicians and patients about options for telehealth use. Offers recommendations to IHS regarding regularly reviewing adverse event trends, making improvements, and disseminating best practices.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Evaluation of the Impact of the No Surprises Act on Health Care Market Outcomes: Baseline Trends and Framework for Analysis - First Annual Report
Provides an overview of the No Surprises Act, which aims to protect participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees in group health plans and group and individual health insurance coverage from surprise medical bills. Details key trends in factors that will be important to evaluate the effects of the No Surprises Act, including the implementation and impacts of state surprise billing laws already in effect; trends in market consolidation and concentration; the impact of market consolidation and concentration on prices, quality, and spending; and trends in out-of-network billing. Describes a conceptual framework for considering the healthcare market effects of the No Surprises Act. Figure 4-3 shows rates of out-of-network billing prevalence by urban and rural patient residence.
Additional links: Cover Memo
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Provides an overview of the No Surprises Act, which aims to protect participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees in group health plans and group and individual health insurance coverage from surprise medical bills. Details key trends in factors that will be important to evaluate the effects of the No Surprises Act, including the implementation and impacts of state surprise billing laws already in effect; trends in market consolidation and concentration; the impact of market consolidation and concentration on prices, quality, and spending; and trends in out-of-network billing. Describes a conceptual framework for considering the healthcare market effects of the No Surprises Act. Figure 4-3 shows rates of out-of-network billing prevalence by urban and rural patient residence.
Additional links: Cover Memo
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Rural Health on Life Support - Episode Three: Medicaid Unwinding
Podcast episode discussing the role of Medicaid in providing health insurance in rural areas. Covers the potential impact of Medicaid cuts on rural areas, the impact of Medicaid expansion on pediatric and maternal outcomes, and Medicaid unwinding after the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Impact! Communications, Inc.
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Podcast episode discussing the role of Medicaid in providing health insurance in rural areas. Covers the potential impact of Medicaid cuts on rural areas, the impact of Medicaid expansion on pediatric and maternal outcomes, and Medicaid unwinding after the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Impact! Communications, Inc.
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2021 Quality Payment Program Experience Report
Reports on the clinician experience for those participating in the Quality Payment Program in 2021. Presents data on Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligibility and participation rates for clinicians in small practices and rural areas, as well as their mean payment adjustment scores.
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Reports on the clinician experience for those participating in the Quality Payment Program in 2021. Presents data on Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligibility and participation rates for clinicians in small practices and rural areas, as well as their mean payment adjustment scores.
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Interim CMS Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Rural Location Determinations Due to Census Bureau (CB) Regulatory Changes
Describes how 2022 Census Bureau changes to urban and rural definitions impact the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) eligibility determinations. Details the interim process the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will use for making RHC rural location determinations.
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Describes how 2022 Census Bureau changes to urban and rural definitions impact the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) eligibility determinations. Details the interim process the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will use for making RHC rural location determinations.
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Provision of Social Care Services by US Hospitals
Explores the extent to which social care services are provided by hospitals. Analyzes data from the 2018 American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Survey and Community Benefit Insight to identify the number and type of social care services provided by hospitals. Examines whether community and hospital characteristics, including bed size, system affiliation, rurality, neighborhood median income, and state community benefit requirements, are associated with these services.
Author(s): Bradley Iott, Denise Anthony
Citation: The Milbank Quarterly, 101(2), 601-635
Date: 06/2023
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Explores the extent to which social care services are provided by hospitals. Analyzes data from the 2018 American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Survey and Community Benefit Insight to identify the number and type of social care services provided by hospitals. Examines whether community and hospital characteristics, including bed size, system affiliation, rurality, neighborhood median income, and state community benefit requirements, are associated with these services.
Author(s): Bradley Iott, Denise Anthony
Citation: The Milbank Quarterly, 101(2), 601-635
Date: 06/2023
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Changes in Buprenorphine Visits in Frontier and Remote Locations: Effects of the SARS-COV-2 Pandemic
Evaluated patient appointments offering buprenorphine prescriptions in the 55 weeks before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to determine the impact of the pandemic and pandemic-era policies on buprenorphine access for frontier residents in the Great Plains region.
Author(s): Lisa M. McFadden
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, 7, 100155
Date: 06/2023
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Evaluated patient appointments offering buprenorphine prescriptions in the 55 weeks before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to determine the impact of the pandemic and pandemic-era policies on buprenorphine access for frontier residents in the Great Plains region.
Author(s): Lisa M. McFadden
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, 7, 100155
Date: 06/2023
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Arkansas State Plan on Aging: Fiscal Years 2024-2027
Provides direction for long-term care efforts in the state of Arkansas. Focuses on implementation of the Older American Act (OAA), COVID-19 recovery, equity, access to home and community-based services, and caregiving infrastructure. Highlights population data on rural Arkansas citizens and rural-specific priorities.
Date: 06/2023
Sponsoring organization: Arkansas Department of Human Services
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Provides direction for long-term care efforts in the state of Arkansas. Focuses on implementation of the Older American Act (OAA), COVID-19 recovery, equity, access to home and community-based services, and caregiving infrastructure. Highlights population data on rural Arkansas citizens and rural-specific priorities.
Date: 06/2023
Sponsoring organization: Arkansas Department of Human Services
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