The Harkin Institute at Drake University released their first annual Harkin on Wellness Report. The report highlights the work of top wellness and nutrition initiatives across the country in order for other communities, leaders, and health providers can learn from the successes of others. Many...
CMS announced an interim final rule entitled, "Durable Medical Equipment Fee Schedule Adjustments to Resume the Transitional 50/50 Blended Rates to Provide Relief in Rural Areas and Non-Contiguous Areas" this week. Follow the link below to read more and view a chart showcasing the new...
CMS announced their new initiative on rural health today. "CMS is taking measureable steps toward improving access to health care for rural populations, including forming a council of experts tasked with addressing rural health issues, engaging stakeholders in rural communities, and partnering with health organizations to...
Ransomware attacks continue to plague hospitals, particularly critical access hospitals where excess money and time to treat and prevent such attacks is scarce. The Texas Hospital Association is working extensively with their member hospitals to thoroughly prepare their systems and staff for cybersecurity threats. [button link="https://healthitsecurity.com/news/helping-struggling-hospitals-recover-from-ransomware-attacks"...
The South Carolina Rural Health Research Center released their new report on Medicaid Managed Care and rural America. "Nearly all states use managed care organizations (MCOs) to control costs and improve delivery of care for Medicaid beneficiaries. Making beneficiary enrollment in managed care mandatory, rather than...
The Federal Communications Commission announced a cut in funding for the USAC Rural Health Care Program which provides funding to rural hospitals for improvement of telehealth programs. The FCC sought comment on this program a few months ago along with the announcement they would be...
A profile in the Sioux City Journal follows a Western Iowa woman's story as she navigated the difficulty of finding emergent OB care after the critical access hospital in her community had stopped providing OB services. This closure left mothers and families in the community with...
HRSA released the following information in their update on the government's response to the opioid crisis: COMING SOON! The rural communities opioid response funding opportunity! The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) plans to award up to 75 grants to...
Adrian Smith (R-NE-3) introduced a bill removing the 96-hour rule on Critical Access Hospitals. The bill has since been referred the House Committee on Ways and Means. The Critical Access Hospital Coalition will continue to monitor the status of this legislation. [button link="https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5507" text=Read More"]...