November 18, 2021 What's New HRSA Celebrates National Rural Health Day. The public is invited to join us online TODAY, November 18 at 11:30 am ET for a feature HRSA presentation. Acting HRSA Administration Diane Espinosa will welcome speakers from several HHS agencies and the Domestic White House Policy Council who will present on federal strategies to prioritize health equity and eliminate disparities in health access, policy, and practice. Then later at a virtual presentation at 3:00 pm ET, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy grantees will share best practices from their projects that consider social determinants of health to improve health outcomes. November is National COPD Awareness Month. The education and awareness program Learn More, Breathe Better provides resources for patients, caregivers, and health professionals for better understanding of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, also known as COPD. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that more than 57 percent of deaths from chronic lower respiratory disease in the most rural counties were potentially preventable, compared with 13 percent in the most urban counties. On Friday, November 19 at 9:00 pm ET, musician Lyle Lovett and Ted Koppel will host a virtual event featuring performances and interviews from Lovett, Rodney Crowell, and Steve Earle. The group wants to raise awareness of the added risk that COVID-19 brings to those with COPD. Community Toolkit for Addressing Health Misinformation. The new resource asks for participation from individuals, teachers, school administrators, librarians, faith leaders, and health care professionals to understand, identify, and stop the spread of misinformation. Earlier this year, the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory, calling misinformation an urgent threat to public health. The toolkit includes common types of misinformation and a checklist to help evaluate the accuracy of health-related content. Facilities Selected for Rural Provider Transition Project. The project selected five facilities to participate in the second year of FORHP's Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project: Sierra Vista Hospital in New Mexico, Dahl Memorial Health Care in Montana, Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare in Missouri, Coteau des Prairies Health Care System in South Dakota, and Electra Hospital District in Texas. Participants will receive targeted technical assistance provided by the National Rural Health Resource Center to help transition to value-based care and population health management. CDC: Sepsis-related Death Rates Higher in Rural Areas. Sepsis is an extreme response to infection, triggering a life-threatening chain reaction throughout the body. For this report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that, in 2019, there were 201,092 deaths involving sepsis, with three-fourths of those deaths occurring among persons aged 65 and older. Within that age range, death rates were highest among non-Hispanic black adults (377.4 per 100,000), followed by non-Hispanic white (275.7), and Hispanic (246.4). Sepsis-related death rates were higher in rural areas (307.3 per 100,000) compared with urban areas (271.3). Ongoing: HRSA Payment Program for RHC Buprenorphine-Trained Providers. In June of this year, HRSA launched an effort to improve access to substance use disorder treatment by paying for providers who are waivered to prescribe buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) still have the opportunity to apply for a $3,000 payment on behalf of each provider who trained to obtain the waiver necessary to prescribe buprenorphine after January 1, 2019. Approximately $1.5 million in program funding remains available for RHCs and will be paid on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Send questions to DATA2000WaiverPayments@hrsa.gov. There is ongoing availability of a free online course for waiver eligibility training from the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine and the Providers Clinical Support System. COVID-19 Resources Round 1 Provider Relief Fund Reporting – Grace Period for Submitting Until November 30. Provider Relief Fund (PRF) recipients who received funds prior to June 30, 2020, should have completed reports by September 30. Resources on the Reporting and Auditing web page will help PRF recipients comply with reporting. In September, HHS announced a grace period to support those facing natural disasters and the Delta variant surge. While the September 30 deadline for reporting has not changed, recoupment or other enforcement actions will not be initiated during the grace period, lasting October 1 – November 30, 2021. NARHC Assistance with Federal Programs for COVID-19 Testing, Vaccine Distribution, and Provider Relief Fund. The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) includes a review of the application process for the new round of Provider Relief Funding in its collection of technical assistance webinars for all COVID-related programs designated for Rural Health Clinics. Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Resources for COVID-19. A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from our grantees and stakeholders. 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. As telehealth usage increased during the pandemic, FORHP funded new work with the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards to reduce the burden of multi-state licensure. 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. 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. 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, COVID-19 Vaccination Trainings for new and experienced providers, and Tips for Talking with Patients about COVID-19 Vaccination. 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 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. New: Reaching Farm Communities for Vaccine Confidence. The AgriSafe Network is a nonprofit organization that provides information and training on injury and disease related to agriculture. Their health professionals and educators created a social media toolkit that aims to provide clear messages about COVID-19 vaccination for agriculture, forestry, and fishing workers. Funding and Opportunities Commonwealth Fund/Harvard University Minority Health Policy Fellowship – December 1. The program provides a one-year fellowship designed to improve access to high quality care for minority, disadvantaged, and vulnerable populations. The fellowship includes academic training and coursework, access to faculty and resources of Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Harvard Kennedy School. Applicants must be physicians who have completed residency in the United States and have experience or interest in addressing needs of minority populations. National Health Service Corps Students to Service Loan Repayment Program – Extended to December 2. This year, HRSA added physician assistants in their final year of school to the list of eligible disciplines. These students, along with medical, nursing and dental students in their final year of school can receive awards up to $120,000 in exchange for a three-year commitment providing primary care services at NHSC-approved sites in high-need areas. Attend the upcoming Q&A Session, Wednesday, November 23, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET to get answers to your application questions. Other approaching deadlines: Three National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Programs – December 16, and HRSA Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program – January 13. HRSA Community-Based Workforce to Build COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence – December 10. HRSA expects to make seven awards of up to $10 million each to mobilize community outreach workers in underserved communities, including racial/ethnic minority groups and rural communities. Applicants must demonstrate infrastructure to implement the program quickly, and have operated in the proposed service area for at least six months in the last two years. FEMA Grants for Firefighters/EMS Organizations – December 17. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) expects to make 2,500 awards from an investment of $414 million. The program is designed to enhance the health and safety of public and firefighting personnel and to provide support for emergency responders for fire, medical, and all hazard events. Eligible applicants are fire departments, nonaffiliated EMS organizations, and state fire training academies. CDC Grants for New Investigators/Research for Interpersonal Violence Impacting Children/Youth – January 4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will invest $2.1 million for seven awards. The funding supports an increase in the number and diversity of trained scientists available to address public health issues related to child abuse, teen dating violence, and other forms of adverse childhood experiences. NIH Research for Culturally Tailored End-of-Life Care for American Indian/Alaska Native Individuals – January 8. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will provide exploratory/developmental research grants for projects designed to improve and increase the use of evidence-based interventions in end-of-life and palliative care. The funding opportunity post notes that, in 2014, only 0.3 percent of individuals using hospice were AI/AN compared to 76 percent hospice use by White/Caucasian individuals. ACL Empowering Communities for Chronic Disease Self-Management – January 25. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) will make nine awards of up to $700,000 each for community-based organizations proposing to develop, deliver, and sustain programs for chronic disease self-management. Eligible applicants include state, local, and Tribal governments, public and private institutions of higher education, and non-profit organizations. A separate opportunity from ACL, Empowering Communities to Deliver and Sustain Falls Prevention Programs – January 25, will make seven awards of up to $600,000 each. HHS Technology Challenge for Racial Equity in Postpartum Care – January 31. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) offers a total of $1.8 million in cash prizes for innovations that improve postpartum care for Black or African American and American Indian or Alaska Native mothers enrolled in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program. This challenge seeks software and applications, multimedia and design, technology hardware, analytics, visualizations, and algorithms. Emphasis is on follow-up care for conditions associated with morbidity and mortality in the later postpartum period, including diabetes, postpartum depression/anxiety, hypertension, and substance use disorders. Indian Health Service Forensic Healthcare Services for Domestic Violence Prevention – February 2. The program will make ten awards of $250,000 per year. Projects should promote treatment, intervention, and prevention efforts for the social, spiritual, and emotional well-being of victims, including victims of child maltreatment, domestic and sexual violence, and victims of sexual exploitation/human trafficking. Indian Health Service Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention Program – February 2. Up to 35 awards ranging $300,000 to $400,000 per year will go to Tribal organizations to reduce the prevalence of suicide. This phase of the program will build on previous work that began in 2009. Grantees of the program must create networks for care coordination, expanding behavioral health treatment, and improving referral to culturally appropriate suicide prevention, intervention, or postvention services. Indian Health Service Zero Suicide Initiative – February 2. The Indian Health Service estimates 10 awards of up $300,000/year each for a five-year project implementing the Zero Suicide Model. Funds will support tribal and urban Indian health care facilities that provide direct care services in order to raise awareness of suicide, establish integrated systems of care, and improve outcomes. CDC Research to Prevent Firearm-Related Violence and Injuries – February 4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will invest $33 million in grants for research to understand and prevent firearm-related injuries and deaths, including mass shooting incidents, homicides and assaults, suicide and self-harm, unintentional firearm deaths and injuries, and firearm-related crime. The program goal is inform the development of innovative and promising opportunities to enhance safety. One of the program priorities is firearm injury and violence in rural and tribal areas. 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 Health Network Development Planning Grants: Geographic Location and Change over Time. The purpose of this policy brief from the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center is to examine the geographic distribution of Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant recipients across the United States. The information presented here complements two other policy briefs about this specific grant program; one of these looks at the distribution of grants among majority BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) counties, and the other examines network focus areas for each funded proposal. Applications for the next cohort of this FORHP program are due January 28. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. Comments Requested: DEA Regulation of Telepharmacy Practice – January 18. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is considering regulations for telepharmacy and they seek comment about the practice, industry, and state regulation of telepharmacy. Though telepharmacy, access to pharmacy care in rural and other underserved communities has expanded, but telepharmacy may also increase the potential risk of diversion without a pharmacist physically present to oversee dispensing of medication. The DEA seeks to learn more about the practices of telepharmacy, to inform the way in which the agency implements and enforces the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) that requires any person who manufactures, distributes, dispenses, imports, exports, or conducts research with controlled substances to register with the DEA. Final Medicare Guidance on Hospital Co-Location. Originally proposed in 2019, this final guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) clarifies how CMS and State Agency surveyors will evaluate a hospital's compliance with Medicare Conditions of Participation related to shared space and services for hospitals co-located with other hospitals or health care entities. This guidance does not address the specific location and separateness requirements of any other Medicare-participating entity, such as psychiatric hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), Rural Health Clinics, Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTFs), or Critical Access Hospitals. Learning Events and Technical Assistance Federal Efforts to Achieve Health Equity in Rural Communities – Thursday, November 18 at 11:30 am ET. HRSA is working towards eliminating disparities in health access, policy, and practice and its determinants for rural populations across the nation. As part of HRSA's observance of National Rural Health Day, this panel discussion will highlight federal engagement in rural health, sharing strategies, activities and resources related to the Administration's priority of health equity. Panelists from the White House Domestic Policy Council, CMS Office of Minority Health, and Indian Health Service (IHS) will join FORHP for this discussion. AgriSafe Update on COVID Vaccines and Boosters – Thursday, November 18 at 1:00 pm ET. The hour-long session is intended for agricultural communities. Dr. Lisa Morici will share trusted data on how the vaccines have been developed, and the safety and efficacy determined by clinical trials. She will provide updates on booster doses, and on vaccines for children. Listening Session #1 on CMS Innovation Center Strategy – Thursday, November 18 at 1:00 pm ET. In October, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a strategy refresh for its center that develops and tests new models for payment and delivery of health care. Details of this plan have a focus on health equity and lowering barriers to participation for providers serving underserved and rural beneficiaries. This first listening asks about those barriers and will include a response from stakeholders about this and other areas objectives of the strategy. USDA Economic Research Service: Rural America at a Glance – Thursday, November 18 at 1:00 pm ET. This edition of the annual report focuses on factors affecting the resiliency and recovery of rural communities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, including population and employment change, intensity of infection, vaccination rates, and broadband internet availability and adoption. CMS Rural Health Open Door Forum – Thursday, November 18 at 2:00 pm ET. In this hour-long forum, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will discuss regulatory updates affecting rural providers. The session will be conference call only: Dial: 1-888-455-1397; Passcode: 8604468. USDA's Broadband Reconnect Program – Thursday, November 18 at 2:00 pm ET. The hour-long webinar will include an update from previous rounds of funding, fiscal year 2022 program requirements, and a question & answer period for participants to learn how to bring broadband to their rural communities. Addressing Health Disparities in Rural Communities: FORHP Grantee Highlights – Thursday, November 18 at 3:00 pm ET. Across the nation, recipients of FORHP grants are finding ways to use their grant funding to create equitable access to health care in their communities. During this panel discussion, hear from current FORHP grantees as they share their work and best practices in their projects focused on health equity. This presentation is part of HRSA's observance of National Rural Health Day. Addressing Social Isolation in Rural America – Friday, November 19 at 1:00 pm ET. The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults will provide background on rural aging and also host experts describing their engagement activities in rural and tribal communities. NIHB Healing and Violence Prevention in Tribal Communities – Monday, November 22 at 1:00 pm ET. The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in this discussion on ways to prevent violence, including ways that non-Tribal partners can help. Resource of the Week How States Are Using Federal Funds to Support Telehealth for Medicaid Beneficiaries. The National Academy for State Health Policy shows how states are using a one-time 10 percent increase in the federal medical assistance program to support telehealth service delivery and data infrastructure to address longstanding technological challenges. Approaching Deadlines CDC Seeking Public Input on Work-Related Stress for Health Workers – November 26 Comments Requested: Criteria for Determining Maternity Care Health Professional Target Areas – November 26 End of Grace Period for Round 1 Provider Relief Fund Reporting – November 30 Commonwealth Fund/Harvard University Minority Health Policy Fellowship – December 1 Department of Commerce Pilot Program: Connecting Minority Communities – December 1 EPA Brownfields Assessment Grants – December 1 EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grants – December 1 National Health Service Corps Students to Service Loan Repayment Program – Extended to December 2 EPA Technical Assistance for Small Public Water Systems – December 3 COVID-19 Vaccination Required for Workers in Medicare/Medicaid Facilities – First Dose December 4 Comments Requested: Requirements Related to Surprise Billing – December 6 Comments Requested: Development of the All-Cause Emergency Department (ED) Utilization for Medicaid Beneficiaries measure – December 8 HRSA Physician Assistant Rural Training Program – December 9 HRSA Graduate Psychology Education Program – December 9 HRSA Community-Based Workforce to Build COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence – December 10 HRSA New Geographic Service Areas for HIV/AIDS Early Intervention – December 10 RADx-UP Mini-Grant Program for COVID-19 Testing Initiatives – December 10 HRSA Primary Care HIV Prevention in Health Centers – December 14 Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program – December 15 National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Programs – December 16 FEMA Grants for Firefighters/EMS Organizations – December 17 Comments Requested: DEA Regulation of Telepharmacy Practice – January 18 HRSA Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) Program – extended to December 21 Department of Labor Stand Down Grants for Veterans Services – December 31 COVID-19 Extension for Medicare Graduate Medical Education (GME) Affiliation Agreement – January 1 Treasury Department New Markets Tax Credit Program – January 3 CDC Grants for New Investigators/Research for Interpersonal Violence Impacting Children/Youth – January 4 COVID-19 Vaccination Required for Workers in Medicare/Medicaid Facilities – January 4 HRSA Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2F HICs) – January 5 NIH Research for AI/AN End-of-Life Care – January 8 USDA Farm to School Grants – January 10 HRSA Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program – January 13 HRSA Nurse Faculty Loan Program – January 13 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program - Implementation – January 13 NIH Researching Behavioral Risk Factors for Cancer in Rural Populations – January 18 ACL Empowering Communities for Chronic Disease Self-Management – January 25 ACL Empowering Communities to Deliver and Sustain Falls Prevention Programs – January 25 HRSA Delta Region Rural Health Workforce Training Program – January 25 HRSA Access to HIV Services for Women and Children – January 28 HRSA Rural Health Network Development Planning Program – January 28 HHS Technology Challenge for Racial Equity in Postpartum Care – January 31 HRSA Centers of Excellence for Training Minorities in Health Professions – January 31 HRSA Leadership Education in Adolescent Health – February 1 Indian Health Service Forensic Healthcare Services for Domestic Violence Prevention – February 2 Indian Health Service Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention Program – February 2 Indian Health Service Zero Suicide Initiative – February 2 CDC Research to Prevent Firearm-Related Violence and Injuries – February 4 RWJF Summer Health Professions Education Program for Underrepresented Minorities – February 5 Ongoing Opportunities CFPB Rental Assistance Finder 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 HRSA Payment Program for Buprenorphine-Trained Clinicians – Until Funds Run Out 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 American Rescue Plan Funding for Indigenous Communities – September 2022 Department of Commerce: Economic Development Assistance Programs Department of Labor Dislocated Worker Grants 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 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 Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health – May 2022 NIH Practice-Based Research for Primary Care Suicide Prevention – June 2022 NIH Research – Alcohol and Other Substance Use – Various Dates Through August 2022 NIH Research: Intervening with Cancer Caregivers to Improve Patient Outcomes – September 8, 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 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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