Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy

Engaging Tribal Populations to Improve Oral Health Care Access in Arizona
Report discusses tribal oral healthcare and proposes strategies to improve access for American Indian communities in Arizona. Highlights the federally-recognized tribes in the state and details the status of oral healthcare in the Indian Health Service (IHS) system.
Author(s): Ella Roth, Allie Atkeson
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for Rural Emergency Hospitals and Critical Access Hospital CoP Updates
Comments on July 2022 Federal Register proposed rule regarding staffing requirements for rural emergency hospitals (REHs). Discusses whether proposed staffing requirements are sufficient to ensure access to emergency care.
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Defining Rural America: The Consequences of How We Count
Discusses several federal definitions of rural and the implications of using different definitions. Compares how U.S. Census Bureau and Office Management and Budget (OMB) characterize rural America. Offers principles on how to choose which definition to use to describe rural areas.
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: Center on Rural Innovation
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Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities: Federal Programs Provide Support for Preventing Falls, but Program Reach is Limited
Provides an overview of nine federal programs designed to provide evidence-based falls prevention, home assessments, or home modifications for older adults and adults with disabilities. Explores what federal agencies know about how these programs affect participants' health and to what extent agencies coordinate their efforts and provide consumer information. Includes data on the estimated percentage of falls among adults with disabilities by demographic characteristics and identifies programs serving rural communities.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Increasing Access to Routine Child Immunizations: State Approaches for Increasing Pharmacy Enrollment in the VFC Program
Discusses how increasing pharmacy participation in the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) can promote access to childhood vaccinations and reduce disparities. Outlines steps states can take to identify and address barriers to enrollment, including examining reimbursement policies, aligning program requirements with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requirements, addressing common provider misconceptions about the VFC program, and addressing pediatrician concerns.
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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Types of Rural and Urban Hospitals and Counties Where They Are Located
Offers a snapshot of the types of rural and urban hospitals and the counties where they are located. Presents data on the number and percent of acute care hospitals and average daily census by hospital type, special payment designation, and county size. Includes descriptions of Medicare special payment designations for hospitals.
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Integrating Behavioral Health into Your RHC
Recording of a July 19, 2022, webinar regarding Rural Health Clinic (RHC) billing for behavioral health services. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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How Increased Funding Can Advance the Mission of the Indian Health Service to Improve Health Outcomes for American Indians and Alaska Natives
Provides an overview of health and healthcare disparities experienced by American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. Describes the role of the federal government in financing and providing healthcare services to these populations. Discusses how enhanced funding could help further the Indian Health Service's mission to ensure that tribal communities have access to high-quality healthcare services.
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Synthesis of Evaluation Results across 21 Medicare Models, 2012-2020
Summarizes results from evaluations of 21 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) Innovation Center models. Examines measures related to gross and net Medicare spending, utilization, and quality of care. Identifies themes among models with similar participant types and interventions used. Offers considerations for acute or specialty care and targeted populations models and prevention and population management models.
Additional links: Findings at a Glance, Synthesis of Evaluation Results Across 21 Medicare Models Slides, Transcript, Webinar Recording
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Supporting Communities and Local Public Health Departments During COVID-19 and Beyond: A Roadmap for Equitable and Transformative Change
Examines strategies to strengthen public health systems in California to create more equitable and resilient communities. Utilizes interview and survey data from community and public health stakeholders as well as reviews of policy and best practices. Includes discussions about collaborating along local, regional, and state levels to improve healthcare in rural and underserved areas.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organizations: Public Health Alliance of Southern California, Public Health Institute
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