- Request for Information (RFI): Evolving the Network of the National Library of Medicine
- Dental Therapists, Who Can Fill Cavities and Check Teeth, Get the OK in More States
- Colorectal Cancer Is Rising among Younger Adults. Some States Want to Boost Awareness.
- Rural Hospitals Built During Baby Boom Now Face Baby Bust
- Food Stamps Go Further in Rural Areas — Until You Add Transportation Costs
- CMS Announces Resources and Flexibilities to Assist with the Public Health Emergency in the State of Texas
- CMS Proposes New Payments for Digital Health Under CY2025 PFS Draft Rule
- Improving Public Health by Strengthening Community Infrastructure
- Biden Harris Administration Proposes Policies to Reduce Maternal Mortality, Advance Health Equity, and Support Underserved Communities
- Nearly Half of U.S. Counties Don't Have a Single Cardiologist
- Randolph County, Ill. Turns Unused Part of Nursing Home Into State-Of-The-Art Behavioral Health Center
- Safe and Stable Housing Is a Foundation of Successful Recovery
- Rural RPM Program Is a Lifeline for Pregnant Women
- Expert: Rural Hospitals Are Particularly Vulnerable to Increasing Cyberattacks Targeting Healthcare Facilities
- Biden-Harris Administration Invests Over $200 Million to Help Primary Care Doctors, Nurses, and Other Health Care Providers Improve Care for Older Adults
CMS Issues Recommendations to Re-Open Health Care Systems in Areas with Low Incidence of COVID-19
As the United States continues to face the unprecedented public health emergency from the COVID-19 pandemic, the tide is turning and some areas throughout the country are seeing a decline in cases. As states and localities begin to stabilize, CMS is issuing guidance on providing essential non-COVID-19 care to patients without symptoms of COVID-19 in regions with low and stable incidence of COVID-19. This is part of Phase 1 in the Trump Administration’s Guidelines for Opening Up America Again. The recommendations update earlier guidance provided by CMS on limiting non-essential surgeries and medical procedures.
Responding to Child Abuse During a Pandemic
This resource tips to help multi-disciplinary teams respond to cases of child abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has the potential to increase child abuse. It includes some information specific to rural communities. Read more here.
Rapid Deployment of Telehealth Services for Rural Hospitals Fighting COVID-19
This case study profiles how a Critical Access Hospital in Minnesota implemented a telehealth network in preparation for COVID-19. It offers lessons learned for other healthcare providers looking to implement virtual healthcare models. Read more here.
An Older Population Increases Estimated COVID-19 Death Rates in Rural America
This issue brief examines the influence of age structure and other factors on the spread of coronavirus in rural areas of the U.S. It compares the incidence of the virus and the estimated mortality rates due to the virus in rural and urban areas. Read more here.
Infectious Agents Exposure Reduction Training for First Responders
This resource contains a video outlining protocols and strategies for mitigating exposure to infectious agents. Content focuses specifically on COVID-19, but information can be applied to situations involving other highly infectious pathogens. Find more information here.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Rural Hospitals
This resource examines how COVID-19 is impacting already vulnerable rural hospitals. It evaluates access to ICU beds, loss of outpatient revenue, and the number of days of cash on hand. Read more here.
Additional links: The Rural Health Safety Net Under Pressure: Understanding the Potential Impact of COVID-19
COVID-19 Telehealth Resources
This resource is a collection of tools and resources for setting up a telehealth program to address COVID-19. It covers technology, implementation, and related topics. It includes both national resources and resources from the telehealth resource centers focused on serving specific states. Read more here.
Child Welfare Information Gateway – COVID-19 State Child Welfare and Related Health Resources
This resource contains a list of websites containing state-specific guidelines and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, as related to child health and welfare. Read more here.
USDA Implements Immediate Measures to Help Rural Residents, Businesses and Communities Affected by COVID-19
Apr 8, 2020 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has taken actions to help rural communities and businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. This resource provides a list of opportunities for immediate relief, including the Rural Housing, Rural Utilities, and Rural Business-Cooperative Services. Items with an asterisk are new or updated as of April 8, 2020. Read more here.
Public-Private Effort Launched to Help Distribute Existing Ventilators to High-Need Areas of the U.S.
Apr 14, 2020 — The American Hospital Association (AHA) and several hospitals and health systems announced the creation of the “Dynamic Ventilator Reserve,” an online inventory of ventilators and other supplies needed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitals can record inventory they are willing to lend to others, and providers can access and request to borrow as their need for ventilators increases. Read more here.