October 15, 2020 What's New HRSA Releases 2019-2020 Report on Health Equity. Yesterday, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released a report on health equity across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health equity is achieved when no one is disadvantaged from achieving their full health potential because of social position or other socially determined circumstances. CDC: Motor Vehicle Traffic Death Rates Among Adolescents and Young Adults Aged 15–24. A new data brief from the CDC reports that motor vehicle traffic (MVT) deaths generally declined between 2000 and 2018, but rates were about twice as high in rural than urban areas for both males and females. CDC: Increase in Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Cocaine. In a separate brief, the CDC reports that, between 2009 and 2018, the rate of overdose deaths involving cocaine rose significantly across all age groups, gender identities, and racial/ethnic categories. The overdose death rate in 2018 involving cocaine with concurrent use of opioids was triple the rate of those without any concurrent opioid use. Among all regions of the country—Northeast, Midwest, South, and West—rates were significantly lower in rural counties than in urban counties; however, the rate in Northeastern rural counties was about triple the rates of Midwestern, Southern, and Western rural counties. COVID-19 Resources Federal Office of Rural Health Policy FAQs for COVID-19. A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from our grantees and stakeholders, updated regularly. COVID-19 FAQs and Funding for HRSA Programs. Find all funding and frequently asked questions for programs administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). CDC COVID-19 Updates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides daily updates and guidance, including a section specific to rural health care, a daily tracker of new cases by urban/rural county classification, and a Toolkit for Tribal Communities. CMS Coronavirus Stakeholder Calls. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hosts recurring online sessions to share information related to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the health care community and are intended to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts. HHS Coronavirus Data Hub. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) launched a website in July with data on the COVID-19 response at federal, state, and local levels. The hub includes estimated and reported hospital capacity by state, with numbers updated daily. New: ATTC Network COVID-19 Resources for Addictions Treatment. The Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network was established in 1993 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The online catalog of COVID-related resources includes regularly-updated guidance and trainings for professionals in the field. GHPC's Collection of Rural Health Strategies for COVID-19. With support from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), the Georgia Health Policy Center (GHPC) provides reports, guidance, and innovative strategies gleaned from their technical assistance and peer learning sessions with FORHP grantees. Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Counties. The RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis provides up-to-date data and maps on rural and urban confirmed cases throughout the United States. An animated map shows the progression of cases beginning January 21. Rural Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019. The Rural Health Information Hub posted a guide to help you learn about activities underway to address COVID-19. The online resource now includes Rural Healthcare Surge Readiness, a tool with resources for healthcare systems preparing for and responding to a COVID-19 surge in their communities. SAMHSA Training and Technical Assistance Related to COVID-19. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) created this list of resources, tools, and trainings. Funding and Opportunities NRHA: Access to Telehealth for Rural Pediatric Care – October 22. The Maternal and Child Health Bureau at HRSA joins the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) to provide technical assistance, stipends, and a virtual learning community for telehealth and distance care serving pediatric patients in rural areas. Applicants should be community-based practices in rural areas that are new to telehealth. USDA Training for Regional Wastewater Treatment Solutions – November 4. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $5 million for two awards in a pilot grant program for rural communities. Eligible applicants include regional institutions of higher education and economic development entities. EPA Research to Reduce Wildland Fire Smoke Exposures – December 15. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will make five awards of up to $1 million each for research that will address behavioral, technical, and practical aspects of interventions and communication strategies to reduce exposures and/or health risks of wildland fire smoke. Eligible applicants include state, local, and territorial governments; Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments; nonprofit organizations; public and private institutions of higher learning; and hospitals. USDA Solid Waste Treatment Grants – December 31. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make 30 awards of up to $1 million each to organizations that can provide technical assistance and/or training to reduce water pollution in rural areas. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, federally recognized tribes, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations. HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program (BWHET) – January 21. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will make 92 awards with a total investment of $44.2 million dollars. BHWET is a four-year project to improve the distribution of behavioral health professionals in high-need areas of the country. Eligible applicants are accredited professional training programs that are establishing or expanding internships or other field placement programs. Policy Updates Visit the FORHP Policy page to see all recent updates and send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. Updated Medicare COVID-19 Data Snapshot. This factsheet reports COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and services used by Medicare beneficiaries between January 1 and August 15. In rural areas, there were 959 cases per 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries during this time and 252 hospitalizations per 100,000 beneficiaries. New CMS Guidance on Repayment Terms for Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments. Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the repayment terms for providers and suppliers who received accelerated and advance Medicare payment(s) during the COVID-19 emergency to reflect that repayment does not begin for one year after payment was issued. Providers experiencing financial hardship should contact their Medicare Administrative Contractor to request an Extended Repayment Schedule. New Website on Hospital Price Transparency. Last week, CMS announced a website to assist hospitals with meeting the requirements of the FY2020 Price Transparency Rule. By January 1, 2021, all hospitals, including rural and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), must provide clear, accessible pricing information online about the items and services they provide. This information must include a machine-readable file with all items and services as well as a display of shoppable services in a consumer-friendly format. Preliminary Findings on the CMS Accountable Health Communities Model. CMS announced that, through the Accountable Health Communities (AHC) model, 750,000 screenings have been completed to identify and address health related social needs (HRSN) for eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. The AHC model operates in 21 states and tests the impact of screenings for HRSN and referrals to community resources on health care costs and health care utilization in rural and urban communities. Of the screenings completed, one-third reported at least one HRSN with food being the most prominent need. Learning Events and Technical Assistance HRSA Information About the Provider Relief Fund – Thursday, October 15 at 3:00 pm ET. The Health Resources and Services Administration will hold a webcast to explain the third phase of this funding for providers experiencing financial loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. Helping Rural Communities Recover from the Opioid Crisis – Fridays, October 2 – 23 at 12:00 pm ET. Recovery Center of Excellence at the University of Rochester will host two virtual sessions each Friday from October 2 – 23 on this year's symposium theme: Treatment on Demand and the Ecosystem of Recovery. FORHP funds the University of Rochester in the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program as a Rural Center of Excellence on substance use disorder (RCORP-RCOE). IPV Through the Lens of Indigenous Survivors – Wednesday, October 22 at 3:00 pm ET. In a 90-minute webinar, the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center webinar will provide an overview of the root causes of intimate partner violence (IPV) in American Indian/Alaska Native communities. Applying for Delta Regional Health Systems Program – Thursday, October 22 at 1:00 pm ET. The National Rural Health Resource Center is a FORHP partner providing technical assistance to small and rural hospitals, rural health clinics, and other health care organizations for the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program. The next cohort will begin work in February; applicants can learn more during this hour-long webinar ahead of the November 30 deadline. Training for MAT Waiver Eligibility – Monday, October 26 at 8:00 pm ET. The American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine offers a free online training series for physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants that satisfies some of the requirements to obtain a waiver for prescribing buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder. Let's talk about CHART – Wednesday, October 28 at 4:00 pm ET. The Rural Health Value team will host a virtual discussion to identify opportunities, questions, and potential next steps for rural organizations interested in the Community Health Access and Rural Transformation (CHART) Community Transformation Track from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Innovation Center (CMMI). FORHP funds the Rural Health Value initiative to help rural organizations understand and facilitate rural health transformation. FCC Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee Meeting – Thursday, October 29 at 11:00 am ET. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hold a two-day, online meeting that is open to the public. The Committee will consider and vote on reports and recommendations for expanding broadband availability in low-income communities. HRSA Introduction to Grant Writing – Thursday, October 29 at 4:00 pm ET. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will hold a 90-minute webinar with tips and techniques for completing most private and public grant applications. For more information, contact Valerie Gallo at vgallo@hrsa.gov. NIH: Telehealth for Rural Cancer Care During COVID-19 – Friday, October 30 at 12:00 pm ET. The National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will hold an hour-long discussion on sustained cancer control for rural populations during the pandemic. The session is part of the Healthcare Teams (HTC) Cyber Discussions Series. NACO: Rural Peer Learning Network for Early Childhood Services During COVID-19 – Friday, October 30 at 2:00 pm ET. The National Association of Counties (NACO) will hold an hour-long discussion with rural county leaders on ways to connect families to services during the pandemic. Resource of the Week Changes in Federal and State Telehealth Policy Since COVID-19. In this 47-minute video, experts discuss telehealth policy changes made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). These address common issues related to provider type and location, billing and reimbursement, and guidance specific to Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics. The video is sponsored by the FORHP-supported Center for Connected Health Policy, a nonprofit working to improve health outcomes through telehealth. Approaching Deadlines RWJF 2021 Culture of Health Prize – October 15 ARC Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems – Letters of Intent October 16 Request for Information: Quality Measures for Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) – October 19 Access to Telehealth for Rural Pediatric Care – October 22 Comments Requested: Modifications to the Definition of Rural for FORHP Grants – October 23 Nominations: NQF Rural Telehealth Committee – October 26 CDC Monitoring/Evaluating Harm Reduction Syringe Services – October 28 IHS Tribal Self-Governance Program Negotiation – October 28 FCC High Speed Broadband/Rural Opportunity Fund – October 29 Comments Requested: CMS Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to COVID-19 – November 2 USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) – November 2 USDA Training for Regional Wastewater Treatment Solutions – November 4 National Health Service Corps Students-to-Service Loan Repayment Program – November 5 HHS: Phase 3 of Provider Relief Funds – November 6 HRSA National Research Service Award Grants – November 9 RWJF Health Policy Fellowship – November 9 NIH Research for Tobacco Control Policies – November 12 Comments Requested: Part I of the CY 2022 Advance Notice of Medicare Advantage and Part D Payment Policies—November 13 DOL H-1B Rural Healthcare Grant Program – November 13 HRSA Rural Health Network Development Planning Program – November 16 Sites for Rural Home Hospital Randomized Controlled Trial – November 16 Treasury: New Markets Tax Credit Program – November 16 CDC Community-Based HIV Prevention Programs – November 20 NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Program – November 20 NIH Research to Improve Health Disparities – November 27 Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Meaningful Use Hardship Exception Applications – November 30 Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program – November 30 HRSA Rural Health Care Services Outreach Program – December 1 Comments Requested: Proposed DATA 2000 Training Payment Application – December 7 HUD Indian Housing Block Grant Program – December 10 EPA Research to Reduce Wildland Fire Smoke Exposures – December 15 NBCC Minority Fellowship Program for Mental Health Counselors – December 15 USDA Community Connect Grants – December 23 NIH Digital Interventions to COVID-19 Secondary Effects – December 30 FCC Extends Purchasing Deadline for COVID-19 Telehealth Program – December 31 USDA Solid Waste Treatment Grants – December 31 AmeriCorps State and National Grants for Community Service – January 6 HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program – January 21 NIH Research on Biopsychosocial Factors of Connectedness/Isolation – March 17 Ongoing Opportunities AHRQ Research to Improve Patient Transitions through HIT – December 2022 ASA Rural Access to Anesthesia Care Scholarship CDC Training Pediatric Medical Providers to Recognize ACEs CMS Community Health Access and Rural Transformation Model (CHART) – Letters of Intent January 28, 2022 Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program Dept of Commerce: Economic Development Assistance Programs DRA Technical Assistance for Delta Region Community Health Systems Development EPA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund HUD Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program IHS Tribal Forensic Healthcare Training IHS/DOD Medical Supplies and Equipment for Tribes (Project TRANSAM) NARHC Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional Course NIH Pilot and Feasibility Studies for Drug/Alcohol Prevention Trials – January 7, 2021 NIH Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health – May 2022 NIH Research – Alcohol and Other Substance Use – Dates Through August 2022 NIH Research on Minority Health/Health Disparities – September 8, 2022 NIH Research on Palliative Care in Home/Community Settings – September 8, 2022 NIH Research to Improve Health Care Quality and Outcomes Through HIT NIH Strategies for Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in HIT Nominations for Federal Advisory Commission on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Nominations for National Advisory Committee on Migrant Health Opportunity Zones for Economic Development Rural Graduate Medical Education Planning and Development RWJF Investigator-Initiated Research to Build a Culture of Health RWJF Pioneering Ideas Brief Proposals SBA Guaranteed Loans for Small Business Southeast Rural Community Assistance Loans USDA Community Facilities Program USDA Community Food Projects Technical Assistance USDA Drinking Water and Waste Disposal for Rural and Native Alaskan Villages USDA Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants USDA Guaranteed Loans for Rural Rental Housing – through 2021 USDA Intermediary Relending Program USDA Rural Business Development Grants USDA Rural Business Investment Program USDA Rural Energy Savings Program USDA Summer Food Program USDA Technical Assistance for Healthy Food Financing Initiative USDA Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans USDA Funding for Rural Water and Waste Disposal Projects USDOT Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S) | 
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