NRHA's Rural Health Voices blog offers informed commentary on the latest news in rural health care from NRHA staff and editorials from selected contributors.
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Author:
Maggie Elehwany
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The Senate has passed the third in a series of bills in response to COVID-19. The House is expected to take action on the legislation later this week. In the language, there is $127 billion to the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response to include $100 billion in grants to hospitals and other Medicare and Medicaid suppliers to cover unreimbursed health care related expenses or lost revenue related to COVID-19. Additional funding includes $275 million to HRSA to support rural...
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Author:
Mason Zeagler
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NRHA is strongly advancing the following important amendment that has been introduced for inclusion in the third supplemental package. It will provide substantial relief to struggling rural providers and we need everyone’s help moving this moving this forward in the Senate. Please contact your Senator. Great teamwork from NRHA members, and let's get this done!
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Author:
Maggie Elehwany
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Is rural America ready for a pandemic? Per capita, rural Americas are older and sicker with higher percentages of the six leading chronic diseases, making them more vulnerable to COVID-19. At the same time, rural health care providers are struggling to keep their doors open. Nearly half of all rural hospitals operate at a financial loss, and the rural hospital closure crisis has created health care deserts throughout rural America.
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Author:
Maggie Elehwany
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NRHA is here to be responsive to the needs of our members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our commitment to you is to provide you with the latest information and resources available to help you provide care for the patients of rural America. Additionally, our advocacy team continues to fight to make sure that you have the resources and abilities needed to control and manage this pandemic.
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Author:
Mason Zeagler
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The National Rural Health Association is hosting the largest rural advocacy event in the nation Feb. 11-13 in Washington, D.C. Our 31st Rural Health Policy Institute is set to be our largest yet, and speakers include rural health experts and prominent figures from Capitol Hill and within the Administration. NRHA’s Policy Institute is a great opportunity to network with rural health care providers...
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Author:
Mason Zeagler
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On Wednesday, critical bipartisan and bicameral legislation was introduced in Congress to combat the rural hospital closure crisis. Representatives Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), David Loebsack (D-IA), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 5481; S. 3103) to protect vulnerable rural facilities at risk of closure. This legislation allows a limited number of struggling rural PPS hospitals to...
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Author:
Mason Zeagler
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In celebration of National Rural Hospital Week, NRHA has partnered with the Federation of American Hospitals to recognize the inspiring efforts of some of NRHA's members. We are excited to share their stories with you, shining a light on those who are working to improve the health and well-being of millions in America’s rural communities, and to highlight the incredible power of rural.
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Author:
Max Isaacoff
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Opioid-related drug overdoses claim more than 130 lives every day in the United States. Prevention and access to treatment for opioid addiction and overdose reversal drugs are critical to fighting this epidemic. This includes increasing the number of clinicians who are eligible to prescribe or dispense buprenorphine, a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat opioid dependency.
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Author:
Max Isaacoff
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Washington, D.C.: Rural broadband is a hot topic on Capitol Hill this week. Both legislative bodies have seen proposals being floated to expand broadband focusing on rural America. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) put forth their own proposal, the Connected Care Pilot Program, which aims to appropriate $100M to support the infrastructure needed to use broadband for better health outcomes. The FCC’s program focuses on helping low-income and veterans access telehealth and other...
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Author:
Mason Zeagler
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Last month, CMS released their “Guidance for Hospital Co-location with Other Hospitals or Healthcare Facilities“. NRHA appreciates this draft guidance since it signals a positive step for co-location at non-CAH (Critical Access Hospital) rural hospitals. However, we have concerns about the continued delay of guidance for CAHs, especially due to the importance of visiting specialists. Rural communities with CAHs rely upon visiting specialists, and it is imperative that the guidance...
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