July 22, 2021 What's New Rural Health Clinics Receive $100 Million for COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach. This morning, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services announced that the funds will go to more than 1,980 Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) to help residents understand the benefits of vaccination against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. The funds will be administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through the Rural Health Clinic Vaccine Confidence Program. COVID-19 Pubic Health Emergency Renewed. Effective July 20, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration for another 90 days. NIH Reports on COVID-19 Variants. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) report that the more that SARS-CoV-2 spreads, the greater the chance that its genetic material will change or mutate, and create new variants or strains. As it passes from person to person, the virus builds up mutations. Currently, there are four known mutations, known as variants of concern, with the highly transmissible Delta variant dominant across the country. The COVID-19 data hub created last year by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services indicates that, as of July 15, new cases across the country were up nearly 70 percent over the previous week; deaths were up 26.3 percent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the COVID-19 cumulative death rate in non-metropolitan areas has exceeded that of metropolitan areas since December 2020. See the COVID-19 Resources section below for more data and helpful information. HHS Reviews State Medicaid Telehealth Policies Before and During the Pandemic. While as many as 47 state Medicaid programs were paying for some form of care via telehealth before the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, data show that services increased more than 20-fold between February and April 2020. Rates declined after April but still remained far above pre-pandemic level. This issue brief from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) examines how the use changed during the pandemic and identifies selected changes in telehealth policy related to Medicaid. CDC: Acceptability of COVID-19 Vaccination Among Adolescents and Parents of Adolescents. In its latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surveyed teens aged 13-17 years and parents of youth aged 12-17 to determine their intent to vaccinate during April 15 – April 23 of this year, prior to vaccine authorization for this age group. Among parents of unvaccinated adolescents, 55.5 percent reported they would "definitely" or "probably" have their adolescent receive a vaccination. Among adolescents surveyed, 51.7 percent reported they would "definitely" or "probably" receive a vaccine. CDC Provision Drug Overdose Death Counts for 2020. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) present a visualization of reported and predicted provisional counts of deaths due to drug overdose occurring in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. While provisional counts are incomplete due to pending investigation into causes of death, the data show a 29.4 percent increase in overdose deaths for the year. Request for Information: HHS Seeking Input on Advancing Sensitivity Toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders – due August 17. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) seeks input from Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and AAPI-serving organizations to inform the development of guidance describing best practices for advancing cultural competency, language access, and sensitivity toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the context of the Federal Government's COVID-19 response. 2020 Transportation Trends. The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center identifies issues affecting the availability of accessible transportation for older adults and people with disabilities. The report identifies "an innate strength" in rural culture that uses a neighbor helping neighbor strategy, and includes examples of programs underway in rural areas to address transportation needs. Call for Abstracts for the National Telehealth Research Symposium – August 2. Hosted by the Society for Education and the Advancement for Research in Connected Health (SEARCH), the National Telehealth Research Symposium will showcase connected health efforts and research for telemedicine, telehealth, eHealth, mHealth, and other healthcare technologies. The symposium will be held virtually on November 8-10, 2021. SEARCH is seeking submissions for podium presentations and posters in categories that include research, policy, education, and state of the art. COVID-19 Resources Rural Health Clinic Vaccine Distribution (RHCVD) Program. Under the program, Medicare-certified RHCs will receive direct COVID-19 vaccines in addition to their normal jurisdictions' weekly allocation. Contact RHCVaxDistribution@hrsa.gov for more information. 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. Federal Office of Rural Health Policy FAQs for COVID-19. A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from our grantees and stakeholders. Customizable COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Rural Communities. Easy access to customizable communication templates that include print ads, poster, brochure, social media posts, and an online resource guide. 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. We Can Do This: COVID-19 Public Education Campaign. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services announced a national effort to help community partners promote COVID-19 vaccine confidence. The campaign includes educational materials targeted to specific audiences, including rural communities, and seeks volunteers for the COVID-19 Community Corps. Don't miss the Spanish-language website, JuntosSíPodemos.HHS.gov. Volunteer to Administer COVID-19 Vaccines. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has expanded its definition of persons authorized to give the vaccine. These include, among others, current and retired traditional and non-traditional health care professionals, and students in health care programs. HHS Facts About COVID Care for the Uninsured. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) helps uninsured individuals find no-cost COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccines. The HRSA Uninsured Program provides claims reimbursement to health care providers generally at Medicare rates for testing, treating, and administering vaccines to uninsured individuals, including undocumented immigrants. There are at-a-glance fact sheets for providers and for patients in English and Spanish. 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, vaccine data and resources, and COVID-19 Vaccination Trainings for new and experienced providers. New Resources for Provider Relief Fund Reporting. HRSA has released a number of new resources to help recipients of Provider Relief Funds (PRF) comply with reporting requirements. Those who received funds prior to June 30, 2020, can access the portal through September 30 for reporting purposes. There is a fact sheet, frequently asked questions specific to new reporting, and a recording of the July 8 webcast explaining the new reporting portal. 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. New: The Impact of Rural Residence on COVID-19 Disparities. 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 March 26, 2020 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. NIH Community Engagement Alliance Against COVID-19 Disparities. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) created a collection of online resources with information for communities hit hardest by the pandemic, such as African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and American Indian/Alaska Natives. 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. ATTC Network COVID-19 Resources for Addictions Treatment. The online catalog of COVID-related resources includes regularly-updated guidance and trainings for professionals in the field. The Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network was established in 1993 by SAMSHA. HRSA COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will provide claims reimbursement at the national Medicare rate for eligible health care providers administering vaccines to underinsured individuals. This may be particularly helpful in rural communities given higher rates of uninsured and underinsured. HHS/DoD National Emergency Tele-Critical Care Network. A joint program of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is available at no cost to hospitals caring for COVID-19 patients and struggling with access to enough critical care physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and other specialized clinical experts. Teams of critical care clinicians are available to deliver virtual care through lightweight telemedicine platforms, such as an app on a mobile device. Hear from participating clinicians and email to learn more and sign up. 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. FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created this temporary program to help eligible individuals and households afford internet service during the pandemic. Eligible households can enroll through an approved broadband service provider or by visiting GetEmergencyBroadband.org. The program will end when the fund runs out of money, or six months after the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner. Funding and Opportunities CMS State Planning Grants for Mobile Crisis Intervention Services – August 13. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will make 20 awards of up to $1 million each to support development of state government plans for community-based services for mental health and substance use disorder. HRSA Promoting Resilience and Mental Health for Health Professional Workforce – August 30. The Health Resources and Services Administration will make approximately 10 awards with total investment of $29 million for health care organizations to establish programs or protocols promoting wellness among employees. The investment takes into particular consideration the needs of rural and medically underserved communities facing burnout during the pandemic. The investment will also invest more than $68 million for 30 awards for health professions schools and academic health centers implementing the Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Training Program, addressing burnout, suicide, mental health conditions and substance use disorders among health care students and trainees. A third workforce resilience program will invest $6 million for one entity establishing the Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Technical Assistance Center. The application deadline for each of these programs is August 30. NIH Researching the Role of Work in Health Disparities – October 5. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will support innovative, population-based research into the way work or occupation influences health disparities. Populations with disparities include racial and ethnic minorities, sexual and gender minorities, underserved rural populations, and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations of any race or ethnicity. Rural Health Research Research in this section is provided by the HRSA/FORHP-supported Rural Health Research Gateway. Sign up to receive alerts when new publications become available. Rural-Urban Variations in Travel Burdens for Care. Researchers at the Southwest Rural Health Research Center used data from the 2017 National Household Travel Survey to examine travel patterns to health care based on the rurality classification, socio-demographic, and geographic characteristics. Policy Updates Visit the FORHP Policy page to see all recent updates and send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. Comments Requested: Updates to Medicare Outpatient Hospital Payments and RFI for New Rural Emergency Hospital – due September 17. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeks public comment on its proposals for Medicare payment and policy updates for hospital outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center Services for calendar year 2022. Also, on page 665, CMS requests stakeholder input on issues to consider as they begin to develop Conditions of Participation, quality measures, and payment policies for the new provider type, Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs). The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 created REHs to preserve access to emergency care in rural areas. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit regulatory and operational barriers, challenges, and lessons learned, per instructions in this proposed rule, to assist CMS in developing future regulations for this new rural provider type. New OMB Standards for Delineating Core Based Statistical Areas. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released its 2020 standards for delineating Core Based Statistical Areas, which are areas containing a large population nucleus, or urban area, and adjacent communities that have a high degree of integration with that nucleus. It includes comments received and final decisions from their recommendations published January 19, 2021. OMB decided to keep the minimum urban area population to qualify as a metropolitan statistical area unchanged at 50,000 and did not adopt the proposed increase to 100,000. Learning Events and Technical Assistance MATRC: Answering Questions About Telehealth and Telemental Health – Friday, July 23 at 12:00 pm ET. The Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center (MATRC) holds a live, two-hour event to answer questions about the basics. The MATRC is one of 14 FORHP-Supported Telehealth Resource Centers. This is a recurring session taking place every other Friday from 12:00 to 2:00 pm ET. DOJ Discussion and Listening: Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons – Tuesday, July 27 at 11:00 am. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will hold a virtual session over seven hours to hear about public health and safety data and discuss how to improve the use and communication of this information. HRSA Health Workforce Technical Assistance Center on the Definition of Rural – Tuesday, July 27 at 2:00 pm ET. During a one-hour program, panelists will discuss how eight federal agencies determine "rural" versus "urban" and the extent to which these classifications inform health outcomes. National American Indian and Alaska Native ATTC: Tribal Opioid Response – Wednesday, July 28 at 1:00 pm ET. The Addiction Technology Trans Center (ATTC) Network is a resource for professionals in the addiction treatment field, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This learning event will be specific to tribal communities. AgriSafe: Prevention of Covid-19 Among the Agricultural Industry – Wednesday, July 28 at 1:00 pm ET. The AgriSafe Network will discuss barriers that limit access to prevention measures and explain the value of contact tracing to slow the spread of infection. CMS on Staffing Shortages in Tribal Facilities – Wednesday, July 28, 2:00 pm ET. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will Hear from nursing home and assisted living facility administrators and directors about root causes of staffing challenges, current strategies to overcome them, and future opportunities. Practical Approaches for Discussing COVID-19 Vaccines with Refugee, Immigrant, and Migrant Clients – Wednesday, July 28 at 1:00 pm ET. The National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants and International Rescue Committee co-host this 75-minute session. Meeting of the HHS COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force – Friday, July 30 at 2:00 pm ET. The virtual meeting, lasting four hours, is open to the public and will be live-streamed. Pre-registration is required for those who want to provide public comment during the meeting. To provide a public comment during the meeting, send an email with your name and organization to COVID19HETF@hhs.gov no later than close of business on Friday, July 23. Resources of the Week HRSA COVID-19 Reimbursements for Treating the Uninsured. Yesterday, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced they've reached payment of more than 10 million claims from providers for administering vaccines. Testing, treatment, and vaccinations are free to everyone, no matter their insurance or immigration status, with reimbursements paid through the HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Program. Motivational Interviewing for COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy. Motivational Interviewing is an evidence-based approach to behavior change. In this 60-minute video from the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center, Dr. Emily Kline explains the technique for more successful conversations about COVID-19 vaccines. Approaching Deadlines HRSA Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program (STAR LRP) – July 22 AmeriCorps State and National Tribal Grants – July 23 ACF Tribal Personal Responsibility Education Program for Teen Pregnancy Prevention – July 26 USDA Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge – July 26 Comments Requested: Proposals to Update Payment Parameters for the 2022 Health Insurance Marketplace – July 28 HUD Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program – July 30 CDC National HIV Behavioral Surveillance – August 2 NOSORH 2021 Community Star Nominations – August 2 Call for Abstracts for the National Telehealth Research Symposium – August 2 USDA Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grants – August 2 ARC Technical Assistance from the Appalachia Nonprofit Resource Center – August 6 NIH Research Education Programs for Alcohol and Other Substance Use – August 10 ONC Public Health Informatics & Technology Workforce Development – August 11 NEA American Rescue Plan Support for Local Arts Organizations – August 12 CMS State Planning Grants for Mobile Crisis Intervention Services – August 13 Special Enrollment Period for Health Coverage – Extended to August 15 (from May 15) HHS Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity – August 16 HHS Minority Leaders Development Program – August 17 HHS Promoting Vaccine Confidence in Local Communities – August 17 HHS Coordinating Center to Address Health Disparities – August 23 HHS Demonstration Projects for Addressing Health Disparities – August 23 NIH Research to Address Racism and Discrimination on Minority Health – August 24 ACF Independent Living Services for AI/AN Communities – August 27 Comments Requested: Proposed Changes to Medicare Home Health Program – August 27 HRSA Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Technical Assistance Center – August 30 HRSA Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Training Program – August 30 HRSA Promoting Resilience and Mental Health for Health Professional Workforce – August 30 DOC Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program – September 1 HRSA Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project – September 10 Northern Border Regional Commission Forest Economy Partnership – Letters of Intent September 10 Comments Requested: Updates to Medicare Physician Payment Policies for CY 2022 – September 13 Comments Requested: Updates to Medicare Outpatient Hospital Payments and RFI for New Rural Emergency Hospital – September 17 NIH Researching the Role of Work in Health Disparities – October 5 COVID-19 Extension for Medicare Graduate Medical Education (GME) Affiliation Agreement – January 1 Ongoing Opportunities HHS/DoD National Emergency Tele-Critical Care Network Extended Public Comment Period for FCC's COVID-19 Telehealth Program FCC Emergency Broadband for Individuals and Households FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance AgriSafe Nurse Scholar Program – March 2022 AHRQ Health Services Research Demonstration and Dissemination Grants – September 2022 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 Direct Assistance to State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Health Agencies CDC Training Pediatric Medical Providers to Recognize ACEs Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program Department of Commerce: Economic Development Assistance Programs Department of Labor Dislocated Worker Grants Department of Labor Stand Down Grants for Veterans Services – through December 2021 DRA Technical Assistance for Delta Region Community Health Systems Development EPA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund FEMA/SAMHSA Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) GPHC & RWJF: Rapid Cycle Research and Evaluation Grants for Cross-Sector Alignment HRSA Payment Program for Buprenorphine-Trained Clinicians – Until Funds Depleted HRSA Technical Assistance for Look-Alike Initial Designation for the Health Center Program 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 Project Talk Initiative Host Site Applications 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 – Various 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 Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health – Various Dates Until September 2023 NIH Researching the Role of Work in Health Disparities – Various Dates Until September 2024 NIH Special Interest Research – Pandemic Impact on Vulnerable Children and Youth – May 2024 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 Tribal Grant Writing Training 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 Healthy Food Financing Initiative Technical Assistance USDA Intermediary Relending Program USDA Rural Business Development Grants USDA Rural Business Investment Program USDA Rural Energy Savings Program USDA SEARCH – Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (for Water/Waste Projects) 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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