Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis – News
News stories from the past 60 days.
Jul 15, 2024 - Discusses expanded access to opioid addiction treatment in New Mexico, with particular focus on harm reduction. Notes that the expansion is expected to benefit rural communities.
Source: Public News Service
Jul 11, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' proposed calendar year 2025 physician fee schedule rule includes new payments and coverage for digital health and telehealth services.
The draft rule contains significant provisions for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers and gives opioid treatment programs more flexibility in their use of telehealth services.
Source: Fierce Healthcare
Jul 11, 2024 - Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced that Breathitt, Jessamine, Lee, and Nelson counties have been certified as Recovery Ready Communities. These counties have established addiction services including peer support services, mental health treatment, addiction treatment, employment services, and a stigma-free environment for recovery.
Source: Kentucky.gov
Jul 10, 2024 - The Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center proposed rule would increase access to care and advance health equity. The proposal introduces new requirements for maternal quality improvement efforts, increases access to services in tribal, rural, and other underserved communities, addresses barriers to Medicare coverage for those recently incarcerated, and supports the agency's goals of reducing opioid overdoses.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Jul 8, 2024 - A new report indicates that Alabama's crisis response needs improvements to expand its coverage and effectiveness. Kim Boswell, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health, said the Opioid Commission has appropriated $3 million to help with call center capacity.
Source: Public News Service
Jul 5, 2024 - Describes process by which Randolph County, Illinois used grant funding to transform part of an underused county-owned nursing home into a behavioral health center. The county held stakeholder meetings to address initial opposition among community members and created a consensus around development of a center.
Source: National Association of Counties
Jul 3, 2024 - Highlights a program providing recovery housing for people with opioid use disorder (OUD) in rural North Carolina. Details the program's structure, background, and funding. Discusses models referenced in the program's design.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Jun 29, 2024 - Describes Snohomish County, Washington's "community conversations" program, providing information about opioid use misconceptions and stigma. The events are part of Snohomish County's efforts to address racial, income and geographic barriers in behavioral health care.
Source: HeraldNet
Jun 24, 2024 - Describes the launch of a pilot program supporting Life Care Specialist positions at two rural Georgia hospitals. Describes services offered by Life Care Specialists, including pain medication education, pain management planning, development of healthy coping skills, and local resource referrals.
Source: Mercer University
May 31, 2024 - Features a harm reduction program serving residents of Alaska's rural Kenai Peninsula. Explores strategies for making services, including syringe exchange and opioid-overdose treatment distribution, accessible to remote populations.
Source: Alaska Public Media, PBS, NPR
Last Updated: 7/15/2024