- 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
USDA to Host Series of Webinars on Two New Inflation Reduction Act Programs to Advance Clean Energy Initiatives in Rural America
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary of Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA will host a series of webinars on two new Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) programs. The Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) and Empowering Rural America (New ERA) programs are brand new initiatives that will expand clean, affordable, and reliable energy in rural communities (including U.S. territories and Compact of Freely Associated States).
USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is launching these two programs under the IRA by making nearly $11 billion in budget authority available in loans, grants, loan modifications, and partially forgivable loans. This will help electrify rural America with clean, affordable, reliable energy and enhance the quality of life in rural communities.
USDA staff will hold the webinars via Zoom at the following dates and times:
RUS update on IRA funding:
- May 17, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET | Register for May 17
Overview of funding available through IRA: May 22, 24, 31 and June 1, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET
Additional webinars will be scheduled and announced soon.
The Biden-Harris Administration championed the Inflation Reduction Act to help provide new funding and unprecedented incentives to expand clean energy, transform rural power production, create jobs, and spur new opportunities for the people of rural America. It is the largest single investment in rural electrification since the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.
For more information, visit the Inflation Reduction Act website.
To learn more, read the full Stakeholder Announcement.
HRSA Celebrates National Maternal Mental Health Hotline’s First Anniversary; Introduces Updated Number: 1-833-TLC-MAMA
Almost 12,000 people have received support from the Hotline’s professional counselors during the first year, “You’ve made me feel heard and that there’s hope for me.”
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) celebrates the first anniversary of the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. Since its launch on Mother’s Day 2022, the hotline’s professional counselors have provided emotional support, resources, and referrals to almost 12,000 pregnant and postpartum individuals who struggled with mental health concerns, and their loved ones.
Additionally, HRSA is introducing an updated toll-free number for the Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). The former number (1-833-9-HELP-4-MOMS or 1-833-943-5746) will continue to work for another year.
“Every mother or mother-to-be, across our nation, should have access to the help and support they need to be healthy. This hotline is one way our Administration is prioritizing maternal health and wellness,” said Vice President Kamala Harris.
“The first year of this hotline service marks a significant milestone in people having immediate access to mental health support and community-based resources during and after pregnancy,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “The hotline is key method that the Biden-Harris Administration is strengthening both maternal health and mental health.”
“Being pregnant or caring for a child can bring many new challenges and the Maternal Mental Health Hotline is here to help,” said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson. “The hotline is available 24/7, via call or text, to make reaching out and getting help as easy as possible for mothers and their families. I urge any mom who is struggling or feeling alone to call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA to get the help and support you deserve.”
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential emotional support, resources and referrals before, during, and after pregnancy. The hotline is accessible by phone or text in English and Spanish and offers interpreter services in more than 60 languages. Hotline counselors include licensed health care providers such as nurses or doctors, licensed mental health clinicians, certified doulas or childbirth educators, and certified peer support specialists.
During the first year:
- Hotline counselors responded to nearly 12,000 calls (70%) and texts (30%).
- The majority of individuals contacting the hotline were seeking help for themselves (76%), while 5% of individuals were calling on behalf of someone else, like a family member or friend.
- The top reasons for reaching out to the hotline were, 1) feeling overwhelmed, 2) depression, and 3) anxiety.
- The average speed to answer was below 30 seconds (telephone calls 23 seconds, texts 16 seconds).
- One caller stated, “I suddenly don’t feel like I’m drowning. I’m going to be okay. I hope people understand that it does help.” Another caller shared, “You’ve made me feel heard and that there’s hope for me.”
HRSA encourages all community-based providers, including health care and social service providers, early childhood and family support workers, and faith-based organizations, to help spread the word about the new number, 1-833-TLC-MAMA. New promotional materials are available for download or print order.
Expecting and new parents who feel overwhelmed or are experiencing depression and anxiety, as well as their loved ones, should reach out to the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for support and resources. Help is just a phone call or text away.
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is not intended as an emergency response line. Individuals in imminent danger of harm to self or others should call 911. Individuals in mental health crisis should continue to contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
For more information on the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, visit: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline.
See our Mother’s Day Video.
See News & Announcements on HRSA.gov.
CMS Launches Updated Strategic Plan Website
CMS updated its Strategic Plan page to include a new Cross Cutting Initiative (CCI): Oral Health.
Through this CCI, CMS will implement policy changes and consider opportunities through existing authorities to expand access to oral health coverage.
CMS updated the Health Equity Pillar fact sheet that details key actions undertaken by CMS Centers and Offices to advance health equity.
Finally, CMS has added a new fact sheet to the strategy page with updates to the Integrating the 3Ms (Medicare, Medicaid and Marketplace) CCI. The fact sheet outlines how CMS has begun to develop approaches to promote alignment and consistency across programs, promoting seamless continuity of care, including experiences with health care providers and health coverage for people served by the 3 Ms.
Here You Can Find An Important Notice for HRSA Grantees
On May 26, HRSA will follow a federal requirement to upgrade security measures for online systems requiring a login for external users. The new multi-factor login procedure will affect those who access HRSA’s Electronic Handbook (EHB) system, including grantees, grant applicants, service providers, and consultants. To avoid issues with upcoming application and reporting deadlines, it is important to set up the new login procedure ahead of the change on May 26. HRSA is hosting a one-hour webinar session on May 12th at 1:00 pm ET to walk through the new process. Participants will need to register in advance; the webinar only has 3000 slots available, but the session will be recorded and made available to users.
The Kaiser Family Foundation Has Been Tracking State Medicaid Enrollment and Disenrollment
During the COVID-19 PHE, states could receive enhanced federal payments for halting Medicaid disenrollments, also known as the Medicaid continuous enrollment provision. As of April 1, 2023, states are resuming operations to redetermine Medicaid eligibility for all enrollees. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) created a tracker to monitor changes in Medicaid enrollment during this unwinding period. It presents the most recent Medicaid enrollment data available for each state as well as any unwinding data on monthly renewals, disenrollments, and other measures that may be available for a state.
You Can Read About the Guidance for States on Ending COVID-19 PHE Medicaid Flexibilities Here!
This Center for Medicaid & CHIP Services (CMCS) Informational Bulletin (CIB) lists the end dates of certain COVID-19-related Medicaid and CHIP coverage and enhanced federal funding if the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends on May 11, 2023, as expected. As part of their response to the COVID-19 PHE, states adopted many temporary flexibilities to support providers and individuals enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP, such as coverage of COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccinations. The bulletin provides key dates to assist states with returning to routine Medicaid and CHIP operations. About a quarter of rural adults under age 65 are covered by Medicaid.
The Government Accountability Office Releases Findings on Midwifery
Among other findings, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports that the number of midwives and midwifery students has increased; in 2021, midwives attended 12 percent of births in the U.S. Access is still a concern, however. Students may have trouble with the cost of education and a limited number of training opportunities, while insurance coverage is spotty – leaving some people interested in having a midwife unable to afford one. Recent data show that, in 2019, more than 30 percent of rural counties had no obstetric clinicians of any type. The GAO reported on this shortage last year, with data supporting an increase in Medicaid reimbursement to close the gap in maternity care for rural areas.
A New Website for Mental Health and Substance Use Has Been Created
A new online resource from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration was designed for the general public to help people Find Support for issues related to mental health, drugs, or alcohol.
Federal Agencies Have Extended Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescribing Controlled Medications
In response to a record 38,000 comments from the public, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Drug Enforcement Agency will extend the full set of telemedicine flexibilities adopted during the COVID-19 public health emergency that ends today, May 11. The temporary rule will allow providers to prescribe controlled medications, such as buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUD), via telemedicine until November 11, 2023. For patient-provider relationships established by that date, flexibilities will extend another year to November 2024. While rates for OUD are similar in both rural and urban areas, the availability of medication-assisted therapies has been disproportionately located in urban areas.
The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Has Committed To Supporting Benefits Counseling Activities
On May 10th, the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy awarded approximately $1 million in supplemental funding to the Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program recipients to support community benefits counseling activities and related work to meet community needs through the unwinding of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). The twenty-one (21) award recipients will establish effective, equitable, and inclusive strategies around outreach, education, and benefits counseling to rural residents who may be disenrolled from Medicaid due to the unwinding of the COVID-19 PHE.