The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an informational bulletin, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The guidance describes opportunities for state Medicaid agencies to receive enhanced federal matching rates for certain health Information Technology aimed at increasing access to behavioral health treatment and improving coordination of care for co-occurring physical health conditions, such as telehealth and electronic connections to Health Information Exchanges. It also reminds state Medicaid agencies how to apply for enhanced Medicaid matching rates for these types of expenditures. Medicaid is an important source of insurance in rural areas, and leveraging federal dollars can help rural communities expand their capacity to deliver behavioral health services.
Understanding the Rise of Ransomware Attacks on Rural Hospitals
Among the key findings in this brief from the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center:
- Rural hospitals experienced an increasing number of ransomware attacks from 2016 to 2021.
- From 2016 to 2021, 43 rural hospitals across 22 states experienced a ransomware attack.
- Ransomware attacks afflicted all types of rural hospitals, including Critical Access Hospitals (N=9), Sole Community Hospitals (N=13), Rural Referral Centers (N=3), and hospitals paid under Medicare’s Inpatient Prospective Payment System (N=18).
- Eighty-four percent of ransomware attacks on rural hospitals resulted in operational disruptions. Common disruptions included electronic system downtime (81%), delays or cancellations in scheduled care (42%), and ambulance diversion (33%). Operational disruptions were similar in rural and urban hospital settings.
New Toolkit from RHIhub: Chronic Disease Management Released
This toolkit compiles evidence-based and promising models and resources to support chronic disease management programs in rural communities across the United States. It covers several common chronic conditions including diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, arthritis, chronic kidney disease, cancer, obesity, and chronic pain. Developed in collaboration with the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis, it’s part of a growing collection of resources available at the Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub).
HRSA Nurse, Education, Practice, Quality and Retention – Workforce Expansion Program
– Apply by July 26. HRSA’s Bureau of Health Workforce aims to increase the supply of nurses in rural and underserved areas, specifically in acute and long-term care settings. Eligible applicants are public and private institutions of higher education and federally recognized Native American tribal governments.
HRSA Will Select One Technical Assistance Provider for Rural Hospital Stabilization Pilot Program
– Apply by July 26. The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy expects to make one award, up to $4,000,000, to an entity that will provide in-depth technical assistance to rural hospitals. The assistance is meant to keep health care services available at the local level and help participating hospitals enhance or expand their service lines. The technical assistance provider that receives this funding will work through a cooperative agreement with FORHP to select participating hospitals. Applications for this single award will be accepted through July 26. Interested applicants may attend a live, 90-minute webinar on Friday, June 28 at 2:00 pm Eastern. Submit questions ahead of time at RuralHospitals@hrsa.gov.
Testing for Influenza in Pennsylvanians with Severe Respiratory Illness
The PA Department of Health released PA-HAN-753 on June 6 asking that clinicians continue to test for influenza in patients with respiratory illness throughout the summer, particularly in individuals who are severely ill, or individuals with influenza-like illness with or without a fever or conjunctivitis, particularly in persons with relevant exposures (e.g., dairy cows, raw milk, wild birds, poultry, agricultural fair attendance). Forward to the state public health laboratory for further testing the following: any specimens that are positive for influenza A but are subtype negative; or influenza A positive specimens that are subtype influenza A (H1) and not influenza A(H1)pdm09 on tests designed to provide an influenza subtyping result and confirmed upon retest or specimens from severely ill patients for which subtyping is not done.,. Please call the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) at 1-877- PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) or your local health department.
Pennsylvania Hospital Benefits from Expansion of Rural Residencies
Corry Memorial Hospital Association in northwest Pennsylvania was one of 15 recipients to share $11 million in Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funding to establish new residency programs in rural communities. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerras said, “Training more doctors in our country’s rural areas is a proven strategy to recruit and retain doctors to serve rural communities. By funding new residency programs focused on OB-GYN training, we can help eliminate maternal care deserts, an important step in making pregnancy and childbirth safer.” Corry Memorial Hospital, which is associated with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), will establish a new psychiatry residency program.
New Nurse Workforce Funding Opportunity Announced
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has just announced a new funding opportunity to increase the nurse workforce in rural and underserved areas. Federally Qualified Health Centers are eligible to apply for The Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) – Workforce Expansion Program (WEP) now through July 26, 2024. HRSA will award approximately $4.7 million to up to five grantees over a period of four years for additional training of associate and baccalaureate degree nursing students. A technical assistance webinar regarding this funding opportunity will be held June 25 at 1:00 pm.
Health Center One Step Closer to Funding for New Dental Clinic
Laurel Health Centers in Mansfield was notified that Sen. John Fetterman has advanced a one-million-dollar Congressional directed spending request to the Appropriations Committee for review on their behalf. If approved, this funding will allow Laurel Health to construct a new full-service dental clinic to provide essential dental services to patients of all ages in northcentral Pennsylvania. Families in rural areas often limit or go without access to regular dental care due to a lack of dental insurance and the high costs associated with routine cleanings and treatment. For the past several years, Laurel Health has been working diligently to bring comprehensive, affordable dental services to more underserved communities and is excited to take the next step in that journey.
$20 Million Commitment Made to Proposed New Pennsylvania College of Osteopathic Medicine
A college of osteopathic medicine proposed by Indiana University of Pennsylvania has secured a $20 million commitment from its foundation, the largest gift toward the initiative to date. The medical school would be the first osteopathic school of medicine on a public university campus in Pennsylvania. The commitment brings to $23.7 million the amount raised so far for the college, almost a fourth of what is believed to be needed initially, according to the university. In addition, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock, and U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Jefferson, have announced they are seeking $2 million in community project funds in the federal budget for fiscal year 2025. Public and private funds already directed to the project include $2 million in state government funds announced in January by Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, R-Indiana; $1 million from alumnus Rich Caruso in May 2023; $500,000 from IUP’s alumni association in December; and another $150,000 in the 2024 federal budget. Read more.