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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural Health Clinics

Safety Net Activities of Independent Rural Health Clinics
Explores to what extent independent Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) are serving a safety net role and whether the proximity of a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) affects that role.
Additional links: Policy Brief: Are Rural Health Clinics Part of the Rural Safety Net?
Author(s): David Hartley, John A. Gale, Al Leighton, Stuart Bratesman
Date: 09/2010
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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The Provision of Mental Health Services by Rural Health Clinics
Reports on a study that examined changes in the delivery of mental health services by RHCs, operational characteristics of these services, barriers and challenges experienced by RHCs, and policy options to encourage more RHCs to deliver mental health services.
Author(s): John A. Gale, Barbara Shaw, David Hartley, Stephenie Loux
Date: 05/2010
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Encouraging Rural Health Clinics to Provide Mental Health Services: What are the Options?
Examines changes in the delivery of mental health services by Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), their operational characteristics, barriers to the development of services, and policy options to encourage more RHCs to deliver mental health services.
Author(s): John Gale, David Hartley, Barbara Shaw, Stephanie Loux
Date: 05/2010
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Community Health Center and Rural Health Clinic Presence Associated with Lower County-Level Hospitalization Rates for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions
Looks at the contribution that Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) make to healthcare access. Examines the impact of FQHC and RHC presence on hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions using data from eight states.
Additional links: Fact Sheet
Author(s): Janice C. Probst, James N. Laditka, Sarah B. Laditka
Date: 08/2009
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Minority Health Research Center (formerly the South Carolina Rural Health Research Center)
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Medicare and Medicaid Participating Facilities: CMS Needs to Reexamine Its Approach for Funding State Oversight of Health Care Facilities
Evaluates the federal funding of state healthcare facility surveys, including surveys of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Analyzes funding, state workloads, and federal oversight of states' use of funds.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 02/2009
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Partnering to Achieve Rural Emergency Preparedness: A Workbook for Healthcare Providers in Rural Communities
Provides a tool to help Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), community health centers, migrant health centers, and hospitals develop effective community emergency preparedness plans. Encourages a collaborative approach with coordination between community leaders and healthcare facilities.
Author(s): Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Public Health
Date: 2007
Type: Document
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Health Professional Shortage Areas: Problems Remain With Primary Care Shortage Area Designation System
Reviews the number and location of Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and federal programs that use HPSA designations to allocate resources or provide benefits. Discusses available research on HPSA designation criteria and methodology. Addresses the impact of a 2002 provision that automatically designates Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and certain Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) as facility HPSAs.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 10/2006
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Comparison of the Rural Health Clinic and Federally Qualified Health Center Programs
Provides a general comparison of the financial components of the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) programs under Medicare and Medicaid.
Date: 06/2006
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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Status of the Rural Health Clinic Program
Office of Inspector General report discussing the location status of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Includes statistics on the number of RHCs in locations that do not have current shortage designations and RHCs in areas no longer considered rural. Includes historical overview of the RHC location requirements and recommendations for improvement.
Date: 08/2005
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Health Centers and Rural Clinics: State and Federal Implementation Issues for Medicaid's New Payment System
Reviews states' implementation of the prospective payment system (PPS) for Medicaid payments to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Includes recommendations for CMS on guidance and oversight for states.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 06/2005
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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