Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy
Identifying a Consensus Set of EMS Agency Licensure Elements and Definitions to Support Rural EMS Data Collection
Discusses gaps in data on rural emergency medical service (EMS) agencies and systems of care. Summarizes findings from a review of state EMS agency licensing applications and discussions from a panel of rural EMS experts. Identifies a consensus set of core EMS licensure elements and definitions for consideration by state EMS authorities in order to enhance licensure application processes and align data collection efforts with other states.
Author(s): John Gale, Celia Jewell, Karen Pearson
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
view details
Discusses gaps in data on rural emergency medical service (EMS) agencies and systems of care. Summarizes findings from a review of state EMS agency licensing applications and discussions from a panel of rural EMS experts. Identifies a consensus set of core EMS licensure elements and definitions for consideration by state EMS authorities in order to enhance licensure application processes and align data collection efforts with other states.
Author(s): John Gale, Celia Jewell, Karen Pearson
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
view details
Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS): Remedy for the 340B-Acquired Drug Payment Policy for Calendar Years 2018-2022 Final Rule (CMS 1793-F)
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule describing the agency's actions to remedy payment cuts to certain hospitals that participate in the 340B Drug Pricing Program from 2018-2022 that were declared unlawful by the Supreme Court's decision in American Hospital Association v. Becerra, 142 S. Ct. 1896 (2022). Details the one-time lump sum payments to affected 340B covered entities to what they would have been paid had the 340B payment cuts not been applied, as well as a 0.5% payment reduction on future non-drug item and service payments to maintain budget neutrality beginning in calendar year 2026.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
view details
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule describing the agency's actions to remedy payment cuts to certain hospitals that participate in the 340B Drug Pricing Program from 2018-2022 that were declared unlawful by the Supreme Court's decision in American Hospital Association v. Becerra, 142 S. Ct. 1896 (2022). Details the one-time lump sum payments to affected 340B covered entities to what they would have been paid had the 340B payment cuts not been applied, as well as a 0.5% payment reduction on future non-drug item and service payments to maintain budget neutrality beginning in calendar year 2026.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
view details
CY 2024 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System Final Rule (CMS 1786-FC)
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments for hospital outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) services for calendar year 2024. Summarizes provisions regarding changes to the community mental health centers (CMHC) Conditions of Participation (CoPs); payment for intensive outpatient program (IOP) services; payment methodology for Indian Health Service (IHS) and tribal facilities that convert to Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) status; the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR), Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR), and Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Programs; and more.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
view details
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments for hospital outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) services for calendar year 2024. Summarizes provisions regarding changes to the community mental health centers (CMHC) Conditions of Participation (CoPs); payment for intensive outpatient program (IOP) services; payment methodology for Indian Health Service (IHS) and tribal facilities that convert to Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) status; the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR), Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR), and Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Programs; and more.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
view details
Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues for calendar year 2024. Summarizes provisions related to paying separately for Community Health Integration, Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Risk Assessment, and Principal Illness Navigation services; telehealth services; mental health visits furnished by Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), including marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors as eligible for payment at RHCs and FQHCs; and more.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
view details
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues for calendar year 2024. Summarizes provisions related to paying separately for Community Health Integration, Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Risk Assessment, and Principal Illness Navigation services; telehealth services; mental health visits furnished by Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), including marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors as eligible for payment at RHCs and FQHCs; and more.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
view details
Extra Episode - Rural Communities Opioid Response Program with Megan Meacham and Sarah O'Donell
Podcast episode featuring Megan Meacham and Sarah O'Donnell from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Describes the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), which aims to improve access to substance use disorder, prevention, treatment, and recovery services in rural communities. Discusses examples of how RCORP grantees are effectively serving communities and tips for accessing resources to address the opioid crisis in tips for accessing resources to address the rural opioid crisis.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Impact! Communications, Inc.
view details
Podcast episode featuring Megan Meacham and Sarah O'Donnell from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Describes the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), which aims to improve access to substance use disorder, prevention, treatment, and recovery services in rural communities. Discusses examples of how RCORP grantees are effectively serving communities and tips for accessing resources to address the opioid crisis in tips for accessing resources to address the rural opioid crisis.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Impact! Communications, Inc.
view details
5G Fund for Rural America: Current Status and Issues
Provides an overview of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) 5G Fund for Rural America, an initiative to bring voice and high-speed mobile broadband services to rural areas unlikely to see 5G cellular deployments without subsidies. Outlines considerations and concerns raised by members of Congress about the program.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
view details
Provides an overview of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) 5G Fund for Rural America, an initiative to bring voice and high-speed mobile broadband services to rural areas unlikely to see 5G cellular deployments without subsidies. Outlines considerations and concerns raised by members of Congress about the program.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
view details
2023 Housing Assistance Council (HAC) National Rural Housing Conference
Video recording of the 2023 Rural Housing Conference that covers discussions on rural housing federal policy, priority updates, and more. Includes 7 sessions available for viewing. Transcript available below description.
Date: 10/2023
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
view details
Video recording of the 2023 Rural Housing Conference that covers discussions on rural housing federal policy, priority updates, and more. Includes 7 sessions available for viewing. Transcript available below description.
Date: 10/2023
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
view details
Michigan State Health Assessment 2022 Addendum
Continues work from the 2021 Michigan State Health Assessment that discusses population health, factors contributing to health challenges, and utilizing state resources to address health challenges. Discusses priority areas for the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP), including addressing rural health disparities.
Date: 10/2023
Sponsoring organization: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
view details
Continues work from the 2021 Michigan State Health Assessment that discusses population health, factors contributing to health challenges, and utilizing state resources to address health challenges. Discusses priority areas for the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP), including addressing rural health disparities.
Date: 10/2023
Sponsoring organization: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
view details
Michigan State Health Assessment 2021
Provides results of the Michigan State Health Assessment that informs the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP), with 4 main focus areas: engaging health policy and systemic change, supporting families to prevent childhood trauma, improving access to food and promoting physical activity, and increasing accountability of environmental polices and regulations. Includes considerations for disadvantaged populations, including rural areas of Michigan.
Date: 10/2023
Sponsoring organization: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
view details
Provides results of the Michigan State Health Assessment that informs the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP), with 4 main focus areas: engaging health policy and systemic change, supporting families to prevent childhood trauma, improving access to food and promoting physical activity, and increasing accountability of environmental polices and regulations. Includes considerations for disadvantaged populations, including rural areas of Michigan.
Date: 10/2023
Sponsoring organization: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
view details
Illinois Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report
Examines maternal morbidity and mortality in Illinois between 2018 and 2020. Identifies statewide patterns in maternal health and discusses factors that influence maternal health outcomes and disparities. Explores data by demographics, including race, age, and rural county residence. Presents policy recommendations aimed at preventing maternal morbidities and mortalities.
Additional links: Summary
Date: 10/2023
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Department of Public Health
view details
Examines maternal morbidity and mortality in Illinois between 2018 and 2020. Identifies statewide patterns in maternal health and discusses factors that influence maternal health outcomes and disparities. Explores data by demographics, including race, age, and rural county residence. Presents policy recommendations aimed at preventing maternal morbidities and mortalities.
Additional links: Summary
Date: 10/2023
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Department of Public Health
view details