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:
Jessica Seigel
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This week, the Senate will consider both the Defense and Labor-Health and Human Services (LHHS) Appropriations bill. Amendments will be offered on the floor of the Senate throughout this week, followed by a final vote.
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Author:
Jessica Seigel
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This morning, House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) and House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health Chairman Peter Roskam (R-IL), released a report reviewing the ways policymakers can reduce regulatory burdens in the Medicare program.
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Author:
HealthSure
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You might think reducing claim costs by approximately $3.9 million since 2008 would be the first thing a hospital CEO would mention when asked about the success of their employee health benefit plan. Not so for Rebecca McCain, CEO of Electra Memorial Hospital who said, “It can be all about the money but, when it's better for the employee, it's also usually better for the hospital. That goes without being said.”
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Author:
Jessica Seigel
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CMS announced a major change coming for Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in a 607-page proposed rule and a Health Affairs post from CMS Administrator Seema Verma today.
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Author:
Jessica Seigel
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Over the last two months, the number of rural hospital closures has risen rapidly to 87 total closures (since 2010). In rural America, health care is a pillar of the community. It helps to create and foster a sustainable and livable environment for rural Americans, and without health care, without a hospital, a rural community will crumble.
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Author:
Jessica Seigel
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NRHA frequently comments on proposed regulations impacting rural health to ensure that the impact of new regulatory requirements on rural providers is considered in the process. We recently posted the latest regulatory comment letters, written by NRHA’s Regulatory Counsel Diane Calmus, on ruralhealthweb.org. Members are encouraged to read the letters and reach out with any questions.
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Author:
Jessica Seigel
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On Thursday, August 2, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously approved a proposal to establish a new $100 million “Connected Care Pilot Program.”
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Author:
Jessica Seigel
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have recently released two new proposed rules.
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Author:
Dawn Morton-Rias, Ed.D, PA-C
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According to the Congressional Budget Office report, demand for primary care will increase 18 percent between now and 2023. This demand is hitting at the same time there is a growing shortage of primary care physicians, especially in rural markets. Rural hospitals have an urgent need to fill positions with primary care providers who can increase access to medical care in a cost-effective manner.
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Author:
Jessica Seigel
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As a result of NRHA advocacy and education efforts, CMS announced on an Open Door Forum today that they will ensure the reinstatement of the longstanding interpretation of the CAH mileage requirements. Specifically, CMS affirmed mileage will be based on the CAH and its provider-based clinic to another like hospital, and it will not be based on the mileage on the proximity to another hospital provider-based clinic. On today’s call, CMS also committed to reinforce the plain language...
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