January 22, 2021 What's New Comments Requested: Proposed Changes to OMB Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Delineations – March 20. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) seeks public input on their recommendations for changing the delineations for metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, including whether the minimum urban area threshold population to qualify as an MSA should increase from 50,000 to 100,000. The OMB MSA delineations are used for a variety of purposes including identifying rural populations for research, Medicare reimbursement policies and allocation of Federal program resources. HHS: Viral Hepatitis National Strategic Plan. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) reports that, despite effective vaccines and treatment, "the nation faces unprecedented hepatitis A outbreaks, progress on preventing hepatitis B has stalled, and hepatitis C rates nearly tripled from 2011 to 2018." The report identifies higher rates of substance use disorder, injection drug use, and homelessness as factors in the increase. RAND: Evidence-Based Recommendations for Transforming the U.S. Mental Health System. The RAND Corporation is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization that researches and analyzes public policy. In this report, RAND makes frequent reference to rural needs among 15 policy recommendations for reimbursement, workforce development, and telehealth services, among other topics. 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. 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). CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Frequently Asked Questions. Includes information on terms and conditions, attestation, reporting and auditing requirements, general and targeted distributions, and how to report capital equipment purchases. 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 Toolkit for Tribal Communities, and a tracker of cases, deaths, and tests by county. New: COVID-19 Vaccine Locator. CMS Coronavirus Stakeholder Calls. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hosts recurring online sessions to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS. HHS Coronavirus Data Hub. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) website includes estimated and reported hospital capacity by state, with numbers updated daily. COVID-19 Data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The site provides access to demographic and economic data, including state and local data on at-risk populations, poverty, health insurance coverage, and employment. 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. The FORHP-supported 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 on rural and urban confirmed cases throughout the United States. An animated map shows the progression of cases beginning January 21 to the present. Rural Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019. The Rural Health Information Hub has a compendium of rural-specific activities and guidelines, including Rural Healthcare Surge Readiness, a tool with resources for responding to a local surge in cases. 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 for behavioral health and recovery providers. Mobilizing Health Care Workforce via Telehealth. ProviderBridge.org was created by the Federation of State Medical Boards through the CARES Act and the FORHP-supported Licensure Portability Program. The site provides up-to-date information on emergency regulation and licensing by state as well as a provider portal to connect volunteer health care professionals to state agencies and health care entities. Online Resource for Licensure of Health Professionals. Created by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, the site provides up-to-date information on emergency regulation and licensing in each state for psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists assistants, and social workers. Funding and Opportunities Broad PCORI Funding – Letters of Intent February 2. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) places special emphasis on hard-to-reach rural populations for its funding of research projects. Investigator-initiated proposals must align with one of four priority areas: 1) addressing disparities; 2) assessment of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options; 3) communication and dissemination of research; 4) improving health care systems. Letters of intent are required ahead of the application deadline of May 4. RWJF Equity-Focused Policy Research Supporting Families with Young Children – Letters of Intent February 16. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) will make an estimated 20 awards ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 each for policy research that improves access to resources for low-income families. Projects should focus on families of color, families living in rural areas, and other groups experiencing disparities in health and well-being. Letters of Intent, required for applicants, are due on February 16. HRSA Capacity Development for Ryan White/HIV AIDS Program – February 19. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will invest $8 million in 60 awards for Part C of its comprehensive system of HIV primary medical care, essential support services and medications for low-income people with HIV. HRSA will give preference to eligible applicants – including public and nonprofit private entities, faith-based and community-based organizations, and Tribes and tribal organizations – that provide primary care services in rural areas. IHS Health Professions Scholarship Program – February 28. The Indian Health Service (IHS) provides financial aid covering tuition, required fees, and other educational and living expenses for qualified American Indian and Alaska Native students enrolled in a health profession degree program. Recipients of the scholarship are required to fulfill a service commitment at an Indian health facility. Policy Updates Visit the FORHP Policy page to see all recent updates and send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. Application for CMS Innovation Center Geographic Direct Contracting Model – April 2. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center released the Request for Applications (RFA) for the new Geographic Direct Contracting Model, which will test if using a geographic-based approach to care improves quality and reduces costs. The RFA specifies the regions targeted for the model and that Direct Contracting Entities may contract with Critical Access Hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and Rural Health Clinics as Preferred Providers. Medicaid and CHIP Transition Planning Tool. This tool from CMS is a resource to assist states and territories in their planning efforts to restore regular Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) operations after the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) New Rule on Patient Access to Prior Authorization Information. This final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires Medicaid and CHIP programs, including managed care plans, and issuers of individual market Qualified Health Plans on the Federal Health Insurance Exchange to include in their patient access applications information about a patient's pending and active prior authorization decisions in addition to claims and encounter data and laboratory results. Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Technical Changes Part II. In this rule, CMS is finalizing remaining proposals from the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug Plans final rule published June 2020, including those related to Special Needs Plans, Part D Coverage Gap Discount Program, opioid misuse and abuse, and the PACE program. Some provisions are effective in March and others will take effect in 2022. Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan 2022 Rate Announcement. CMS has finalized the Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans payment methodologies for CY 2022, including updates to the risk adjustment methodology and star rating system. Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2022 Finalized. This final rule updates the requirements for benefits and payments for issuers offering individual market Qualified Health Plans on the Federal Health Insurance Exchange in 2022. It clarifies that the network adequacy standards regulation does not apply to Qualified Health Plans that do not use provider networks and adds a new direct enrollment option for federally-facilitated Exchanges and State Exchanges. Extended Grace Period for IHS Facilities. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the grace period previously granted to Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities, and facilities operated by Tribes and Tribal organizations, to claim Medicaid reimbursement for services provided outside of the "four walls" of the facility to October 31, 2021. This bulletin also explains the steps Tribal facilities and states will need to take before the extended grace period expires in order to continue to be reimbursed for services provided outside the four walls of the facility after October 31st. Learning Events and Technical Assistance MATRC: Answering Questions About Telehealth and Telemental Health – Second and Fourth Fridays at 12:00 pm ET. The Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center (MATRC) holds a live, one-hour event to answer questions about the basics. The MATRC is one of 14 FORHP-Supported Telehealth Resource Centers. Webinar Series on Telehealth Policy and COVID-19 – Friday, January 22 at 2:00 pm ET. The Center for Connected Health Policy will organize and host a telehealth webinar series targeted at Medicaid agencies. This series is designed to tackle pressing telehealth policy challenges faced by Medicaid programs and offer medical directors, administrators, and program staff a chance to share lessons learned. Webinars will take place every Friday over a four-week period during Winter, Spring, and Fall 2021 from 2:00 - 3:30pm ET. Application Assistance for RCORP-Implementation** – Tuesday, January 26 at 1:00 pm ET. The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy will hold a one-hour webinar for applicants of the new Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) – Implementation. Call-In Number: 1-800-369-1956; Participant Code: 9970670. Applications for this new round of funding in the RCORP initiative are due March 12. For more information, email ruralopioidresponse@hrsa.gov. **Note: Due to the increase in interest, the registration link has been updated to accommodate more participants. Please use this link, NOT the link provided on page (ii) of the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Using Rural Health Research to Inform Health Policy – Tuesday, January 26 at 2:00 pm ET. In a one-hour webinar, the FORHP-supported Rural Health Research Gateway will share where to find and how to use free rural health research to support policymaking. HRSA Telehealth Series: Workforce Recruitment – Wednesday, January 27 at 12:00 pm ET. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will hold an hour-long session on Telehealth Models for Workforce Recruitment, Retention, and Development. NCTRC Telehealth Hack Series – Wednesday, January 27 at 2:00 pm ET. In this hour-long learning session hosted by the National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers (NCTRC) experts will discuss prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infections in Post-Acute and Long Term Care Facilities. CMS on Maintaining Access to Care During the Postpartum Period – Wednesday, January 27 at 2:30 pm ET. As part of the Maternal and Infant Health Initiative's Postpartum Care Learning Collaborative, CMS is hosting an hour long webinar describing strategies to ensure coverage and access to care during the postpartum period for women at high risk of postpartum complications, including Medicaid state program best practices. NASEM: Critical Health Literacy for SDOH – Wednesday, January 27 at 3:00 pm ET. The National Academies for Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) will host a 90-minute workshop on the role of critical health literacy in addressing social determinants of health (SDOH). The workshop will explore a variety of CHL skills ranging from the ability to contextualize information to engage in health care decision-making, to the ability to recognize the policy contexts that affect health. Roles for Rural Ambulance Services in COVID-19 Vaccination – Wednesday, January 27 at 3:00 pm ET. In a one-hour webinar, the National Rural Health Resource Center will identify potential roles for emergency medical services, and highlight examples from various states. HRSA and NETRC: Behavioral Health for Vulnerable Populations – Thursday, January 28 at 1:00 pm ET. During this one-hour webinar, experts will describe adaptations to treatment for substance use disorder and behavioral health during the pandemic, with a focus on persons experiencing homelessness. The event is a collaboration between the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the FORHP-supported Northeast Telehealth Resource Center. RWJF & CDC: PLACES – Local Data for Better Health - Thursday, January 28 at 1:00 pm ET. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will explain the CDC's new interactive website with city, rural, and census-tract level data. HRSA: Navigating Caring for Women with Opioid Use Disorder – Thursday, January 28 at 3:00 pm ET. In a 30-minute webinar, the Office of Women's Health at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will provide tips for navigating the recently released Caring for Women with Opioid Use Disorder: A Toolkit for Organizational Leaders and Providers. For questions or comments related to the toolkit, please contact HRSAOWH@hrsa.gov. Resource of the Week CDC Vaccine Locator. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information about local health departments, along with questions and answers for health care workers and consumers about the COVID-19 vaccination. Approaching Deadlines National Environmental Public Health Internship – January 22 Host Site Application for National Environmental Public Health Internship – January 22 AAP Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Grants – January 27 FEMA Grants for Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities – January 29 APA Minority Externship in Addiction Psychiatry – January 31 ACL Empowering Communities Through Chronic Disease Self-Management – February 2 ACL Small Business Innovation Research for Community Living with Disability – February 2 Broad PCORI Funding – Letters of Intent February 2 DOL Workforce Pathways for Youth Program – February 4 NIH Research to Address Vaccine Hesitancy Among Disparity Populations – February 5 SAMHSA Grants for Campus Suicide Prevention – February 5 SAMHSA Mental Health Awareness Training Grants – February 5 HRSA Nurse Faculty Loan Program – February 8 SAMHSA Expanding Treatment/Recovery Services for Youth – February 8 SAMHSA Tribal Behavioral Health Grant Program – February 8 USDA Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program – February 8 CDC National Center for Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury – February 9 DOL YouthBuild Training Opportunity Zones – February 9 EPA Student Design Competition for Environmental Health – February 9 Comments Requested: Proposed Changes to HIPAA Privacy Rule – February 12 EPA Training/Technical Assistance for Small Public Water Systems – February 12 Request for Nominations to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission – February 12 Indian Health Service (IHS) Loan Repayment Program – February 15 SAMHSA Grants for Building Communities of Recovery – February 15 RWJF Equity-Focused Policy Research Supporting Families with Young Children – Letters of Intent February 16 SAMHSA Rural Emergency Medical Services Training – February 16 CMS Community Health Access and Rural Transformation Model (CHART) – Letters of Intent February 17 HRSA Advanced Nursing Education – Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Program – February 17 CDC Research to Inform Pandemic Response for Displaced Persons – February 18 HRSA Capacity Development for Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C – February 19 HRSA Training for Primary Care and Maternal Health – February 22 Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program – February 25 NIH Approaches to Decrease Stigma of Substance Use Disorders – February 26 IHS Health Professions Scholarship Program – February 28 SAMHSA Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion Grants – March 1 DOJ Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program – March 4 CDC Grants for New Investigators Researching Violence Impacting Children – March 10 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) -Implementation – March 12 HRSA P4 Challenge: Primary Care to Improve Child Health – March 15 NIH: Social/Behavioral Research for Cancer Intervention in Rural Populations – March 15 CMS Community Health Access and Rural Transformation Model (CHART) – Extended to March 16 DOJ Research and Evaluation on Violence Against Women – March 16 NIH Research on Biopsychosocial Factors of Connectedness/Isolation – March 17 Comments Requested: Proposed Changes to OMB Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Delineations – March 20 CDC Research Grants to Prevent Violence/ACEs – March 22 USDA Rural Community Development Initiative – March 22 DOJ Grants for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault – March 29 DOJ Tribal-Researcher Capacity Building Grants – March 29 Application for CMS Innovation Center Geographic Direct Contracting Model – April 2 HRSA Evidence-Based Telehealth Grant Program – April 2 HRSA Grants for RCORP - Psychostimulant Support – April 12 Ongoing Opportunities AHRQ Research to Improve Patient Transitions through HIT – December 2022 American Indian Public Health Resource Center Technical Assistance ASA Rural Access to Anesthesia Care Scholarship CDC Training Pediatric Medical Providers to Recognize ACEs 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 Housing Assistance Council: Housing Loans for Low-Income Rural Communities 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 Practice-Based Research for Mental Health Interventions in Pediatric Primary Care Settings – July 1 (Letters of Intent June 1) NIH Research for AI/AN End-of-Life Care – January 8, 2022 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 Primary Care Development Corporation Community Investment Loans 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 Economic Impact Initiative Grants 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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