- Q&A: Angela Gonzales (Hopi), on New Indigenous Health Research Dashboard
- Not All Expectant Moms Can Reach a Doctor's Office. This Kentucky Clinic Travels to Them.
- Hawaiʻi's Physician Shortage Hits Maui Hardest
- Choctaw Nation Found a Better Way to Deliver Harm Reduction. It's Working.
- In Rural America, Heart Disease Is Increasingly Claiming Younger Lives
- HHS Launches Healthy Border 2030 Framework Highlighting Health Priorities and Actions to Support Border Communities and Populations
- Gaps in Mental Health Training, Rural Access to Care Compound Az's Maternal Mortality Crisis
- Enticing Rural Residents to Practice Where They Train
- New Round of Federal Funding Open for Rural Health Initiatives
- UAA Training for Health Care Providers Keeps Victims of Violent Crimes from Falling Through the Cracks
- Helene Exacerbated Rise in Homelessness Across Western North Carolina
- 'It's a Crisis': How the Shortage of Mental Health Counselors Is Affecting the Rural Northwest
- FCC Launches New Maternal Health Mapping Platform
- How Mobile Clinics Are Transforming Rural Health Access for Cochise County Farmworkers
- Struggling to Adapt
‘Covid in Rural America Is a Horror Story,’ Says Head of Health Association
By Tracy Staley
Rural America faces a public-health crisis, with Covid-19 spreading quickly as the nation heads into flu season, says Alan Morgan. His interview is part of Daily Yonder Day at the Rural Assembly Everywhere virtual festival, starting Monday, October 26.
Read more
Newly Updated: Rental Housing Affordability Data Tool
The strong economic growth that followed the Great Recession did little to erase the persistent shortfall of affordable rental housing in the Third District. Even after this expansion, a substantial majority of lower-income households in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey struggled to afford their rent in 2018, with almost one-third to nearly half of these households paying over 50 percent of their monthly income toward housing costs. The newly updated data suggest that housing insecurity was widespread among lower-income renters in the Third District even prior to the coronavirus pandemic and the associated economic downturn.
Visit the newly updated Rental Housing Affordability Data Tool to explore trends in rental housing affordability and examine the composition of cost-burdened, lower-income households in your state or metropolitan area.
For more, view the updated tool.
CMS COVID-19 Office Hours Call – October
CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls – October
CMS hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency’s response to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the healthcare community and are intended to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts.
Call details are below. Conference lines are limited so we highly encourage you to join via audio webcast, either on your computer or smartphone web browser. You are welcome to share this invitation with your colleagues and professional networks. These calls are not intended for the press.
Calls recordings and transcripts are posted on the CMS podcast page at: https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Outreach/OpenDoorForums/PodcastAndTranscripts
CMS COVID-19 Office Hours Calls (twice a month on Tuesday at 5:00 – 6:00 PM Eastern)
Office Hour Calls provide an opportunity for hospitals, health systems, and providers to ask questions of agency officials regarding CMS’s temporary actions that empower local hospitals and healthcare systems to:
- Increase Hospital Capacity – CMS Hospitals Without Walls;
- Rapidly Expand the Healthcare Workforce;
- Put Patients Over Paperwork; and
- Further Promote Telehealth in Medicare
Next Office Hours:
Tuesday, October 27th at 5:00 – 6:00 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 2394789
Audio Webcast link: https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=2612
Weekly COVID-19 Care Site-Specific Calls
CMS hosts calls for certain types of organizations on an intermittent basis to provide targeted updates on the agency’s latest COVID-19 guidance. One to two leaders in the field also share best practices with their peers. There is an opportunity to ask questions of presenters if time allows.
Next Nursing Homes
Wednesday, October 28th at 4:30 – 5:00 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 5587022 Audio Webcast Link: https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=2627
For the most current information including call schedule changes, please click here
To keep up with the important work the White House Task Force is doing in response to COVID-19 click here: https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=36fa2226-6aae0b0d-36fa1319-0cc47a6d17cc-2d06c219f858d641&u=http://www.coronavirus.gov/. For information specific to CMS, please visit the Current Emergencies Website.
Finkenauer Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing National Rural Health Day
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) introduced the bipartisan 2020 National Rural Health Day resolution on Thursday to ensure National Rural Health Day is recognized by Congress this year.
National Rural Health Day was established to emphasize the importance of rural America and recognize the efforts and contributions to address the unique challenges of providing affordable, accessible health care in rural places.
National Rural Health Day is celebrated annually on the third Thursday of November, which this year is November 19.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our communities –– families all over the country are living through an incredibly difficult and worrisome time when it comes to their health,” Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. “In our rural communities, the pandemic presents even greater challenges to the rural health systems that were stressed long before the arrival of COVID-19. The 2020 National Rural Health Day resolution is a chance to honor our amazing rural health care providers and affirm Congress’ commitment to working on policy that will ensure affordable and quality health care in rural Iowa and all of rural America.”
Original cosponsors of the 2020 National Rural Health Day resolution are: Bob Latta (R-OH), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), Tom Cole (R-OK), Cindy Axne (D-IA), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Ron Kind (D-WI), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Xochitl Torres-Small (D-NM), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), TJ Cox (D-CA), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Mike Bost (R-IL), Angie Craig (D-MN), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Van Taylor (R-TX), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Don Young (R-AK), Fred Keller (R-PA), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), and Collin Peterson (D-MN).
The 2020 National Rural Health Day resolution is supported by: American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, Federation of American Hospitals, Genesis Health System, Gundersen Health System, Iowa Hospital Association, Iowa Medical Society, Iowa Rural Health Association, Marshfield Clinic Health System, MercyOne, National Association of Counties, National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, National Rural Health Association, UnityPoint Health System
Support for the 2020 National Rural Health Day resolution:
“Rural hospitals must overcome many obstacles to meet the health care needs of their communities. The COVID-19 pandemic shined a bright light on challenges facing rural hospitals and the need for additional support. These facilities are often the sole care giver in their community and face unique issues, ranging from difficult geography and dangerous weather to an aging, at risk patient population. We appreciate Rep. Finkenauer introducing this resolution to put an exclamation point on the need for more support for the vital role rural hospitals play in the health care of millions of Americans.”
— Chip Kahn, President and CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals.
“At Gundersen Health System, we know better patient connections to our providers and services removes barriers to healthcare in rural areas. Locations closer to home, new virtual care options, and services to manage patients’ care at home are all part of our system’s focus on eliminating healthcare barriers. Congresswoman Finkenauer’s resolution inspires further awareness and work on rural health care.”
— Patrice Kuennen, Administrator of Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital & Clinics (West Union, Iowa)
“Rural health care providers are an asset to the communities they serve, providing access to a broad spectrum of high quality, essential health care services every day. Iowans know the critical importance of these providers and IHA is proud to stand with them by recognizing National Rural Health Day.”
— Kirk Norris, President and CEO of the Iowa Hospital Association
“Rural Iowa faces significant and growing health access issues, which the COVID-19 pandemic has further amplified. In many corners of our state, patients must travel long distances for even basic medical care and the ongoing pandemic has forced many rural facilities to begin contemplating difficult decisions regarding the services they are able to continue to provide. We must do more to support rural practices and rural provider recruitment efforts. National Rural Health Day is an opportunity to reflect upon the challenges facing rural America and the opportunities to address them. This includes common-sense measures like expansion of the successful Conrad 30 program to aid in physician recruitment efforts, increased support for telehealth infrastructure and services, and at long last taking action to address the Geographic Practice Cost Index that arbitrarily and unfairly reduces Medicare payment rates for practices in rural communities. We thank Congresswoman Finkenauer for her continued commitment to rural healthcare and helping to bring greater attention to this important issue.”
— Brian Privett, MD, President of the Iowa Medical Society
“The Iowa Rural Health Association is pleased to support Rep. Finkenauer’s resolution in support of National Rural Health Day. It’s an opportunity every year to draw attention to the importance of rural health and those who care for residents of small towns and unincorporated areas. That’s especially important right now as access is affected by declining numbers of hospitals, clinics and health care professionals in rural America.”
— Bill Menner, Executive Director of the Iowa Rural Health Association
“The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the fact that, as a country, our rural health care system is broken, and patients are the ones who suffer as a result. Despite major challenges, every day countless rural care providers go to work committed to serving those in need. These heroes make a difference in the lives of patients and families that is immeasurable. Investing in rural health care is investing in the future of rural America. I applaud Rep. Finkenauer and her colleagues for recognizing the crucial role health care plays in the vitality of rural communities across the country. Ensuring access to high-quality health care, no matter where patients live, will help rural communities and their residents grow and thrive.”
— Dr. Susan Turney, MD, CEO of Marshfield Clinic Health System
“We thank Congresswoman Finkenauer and her staff for the continued work they have done on the issue of rural health. It is our hope that National Rural Health Day highlights the importance and innovation in rural health and we look forward to working alongside the Congresswoman to ensure rural health remains a priority in Congress throughout the year.”
— Teryl Eisinger, CEO of the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
“NRHA applauds Representative Finkenauer for leading the introduction of the Resolution Supporting National Rural Health Day. The COVID-19 public health emergency has underscored the need for a strong, stable health care system—especially in rural America. This resolution shines a light on the need for greater parity between urban and rural health care and for continued relief and support to be provided to rural America.”
— Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association
“UnityPoint Health is proud to support Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer’s resolution honoring National Rural Health Day. UnityPoint Health has a longstanding commitment to providing quality health care in rural communities where families trust us with their health care needs. In addition to our hospitals, rural health clinics and home health agencies, we also use technology to ensure all Iowans have access to visit a provider using telehealth or connect with a psychiatrist over the phone, regardless of where they live. This resolution expresses a commitment to advancing policy to improve health care accessibility and affordability in rural parts of the country, and UnityPoint Health shares that goal.”
— Cathy Simmons, Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs at UnityPoint Health
Learn More About Federal Funding and Resources for Rural Health
This is a recording of an 80-minute presentation (via Adobe Connect) by the Health Resources and Services Administration on rural-focused federal programs and resources. Presenters represent USDA’s Rural Development and Rural Utilities Service, telecommunications programming at the Universal Service Administrative Company, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and two FORHP-funded rural hospital programs.
Updated Telehealth Resources for Medicare and Medicaid
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the “State Medicaid & CHIP Telehealth Toolkit: Policy Considerations for States Expanding Use of Telehealth, COVID-19 Version,” originally released in April 2020. It has new examples and insights into lessons learned from states that have implemented telehealth changes. The Medicaid and CHIP data snapshot illustrates the rate of telehealth use across the states during the public health emergency. CMS also updated the list of Medicare services that can be provided via telehealth during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Read more here.
Medicare Changes Payments for COVID-19 Lab Results
Beginning January 1, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will lower its base payment from $100 to $75 for COVID-19 diagnostic tests using certain highly sophisticated equipment called “high throughput technology.” The change is explained in an amended Administrative Ruling, CMS 2020-1-R2. Labs that complete the test within two calendar days will receive a $25 add-on payment.
Report on U.S. Coal Industry
The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released the Annual Coal Report, which includes information on the number of mines, their productive capacity, prices, employment, and consumption. Highlights for 2019 include a decrease in the production, productive capacity, and average number of employees at U.S. coal mines, as well as a decrease in U.S. coal consumption. The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy manages the Black Lung Clinics Program that provides predominantly rural miners with access to educational, screening, medical, and benefits counseling services with the goal to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with occupationally-related coal mine dust lung diseases.
New Data on Local Use of Rural Hospitals
This new data brief from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services explores the extent to which rural Medicare beneficiaries bypass their nearest rural hospital and which hospital services rural Medicare beneficiaries most often seek locally and at distant hospitals. Traveling to a distant hospital for services rather than using the local rural hospital, aka ‘rural bypass’, can increase financial pressure on rural providers, especially Tribal hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals.
Medicare Open Enrollment Has Begun
Medicare beneficiaries can review health and drug plans for 2021 and make changes between now and December 7. The online system helps beneficiaries compare pricing and benefits between Original Medicare (Parts A and B), Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D), Medicare Advantage plans (Part C), and individually-purchased Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policies. Free, personalized counseling on Medicare options is available through the nonprofit State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Free materials are also available to support rural providers, among others, with outreach activities.