December 9, 2021 What's New Three More Weeks for RHCs to Spend COVID-19 Testing Funds. Participating Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) have until December 31 to spend RHC COVID-19 Testing Program funds. RHCs will continue reporting program data through January 2022. Please note that the RHC COVID-19 Testing and Mitigation Program and program reporting will continue until January 2023. HRSA funded the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) to provide technical assistance to RHCs on these two programs. Contact RHCCOVID-19Testing@hrsa.gov for more information. Medicare Telehealth Visits Skyrocketed in 2020. In a new research report from HHS, analysts examined changes in Medicare telehealth usage in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and found a 63-fold increase in the number of Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiary telehealth visits in 2020, from approximately 840,000 in 2019 to nearly 52.7 million in 2020. With the public health emergency declaration, Medicare expanded the type of telehealth services allowed and permitted both rural and urban providers to deliver telehealth services. The emergency actions also allowed for services to be delivered wherever a Medicare beneficiary was located, including in their home or temporary health sites. While HHS's analysis found lower rates of overall telehealth use among rural beneficiaries, the use of telecommunications services (i.e., virtual check-ins and e-visits) increased most for rural beneficiaries – from 1 percent of telehealth visits in 2019 to 12 percent in 2020. The report cites limitations in broadband access and challenges with internet availability and affordability as likely barriers in rural areas. For some rural providers, namely Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers, telehealth visits increased substantially – a nearly 100-fold increase from a total of 9,000 telehealth visits in 2019 to more than 830,000 telehealth visits in 2020. CDC Seeking Public Input on Work-Related Stress for Health Workers – Comment Deadline Extended to January 25. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seeks information on best and promising practices for the positive mental health and well-being of health workers. The feedback will be used to inform interventions under development by the CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Ongoing: HRSA Payment Program for RHC Buprenorphine-Trained Providers. In June 2021, 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 Spread the Word About Vaccine Boosters. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services released new resources – posters, flyers, videos, and talking points – to help promote the extra protection from COVID-19 boosters. All vaccinated adults aged 18+ are eligible for a booster. Search by zip code to find nearby locations providing adult and pediatric vaccines and boosters for COVID-19 and the flu at vaccines.gov. NARHC Assistance with Federal Programs for COVID-19 Testing, Vaccine Distribution, and Provider Relief Fund. The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) has background information and guidelines 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. New: 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. The toolkit includes common types of misinformation and a checklist to help evaluate the accuracy of health-related content. 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. 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. 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 HHS Grants for Family Planning Services – January 11. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) expects to make 90 awards with total funding of $256 million to provide comprehensive family planning and related preventive health services for low-income and/or uninsured individuals. Medically approved services include methods to prevent or assist pregnancy; infertility services; pregnancy testing and counseling; and education, testing, and referral for sexually transmitted infection. Target populations for the program are people who live in rural areas, underserved ethnic/racial minorities, LGBTQ+ persons, and individuals affected by persistent poverty or inequality. SAMHSA-American Psychiatric Association Diversity Leadership Fellowship – January 31. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) supports this two-year fellowship for minority psychiatry residents or those interested in minority and vulnerable populations. Eligible applicants must be a member of the American Psychiatric Association, and have two years of training left in an accredited U.S. or Canadian psychiatry residency program. FCC/USAC Rural Health Care Connect Fund – April 1. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provides a 65 percent discount on eligible expenses for broadband connectivity to eligible health care providers. A separate program provides a discount to rural providers for expenses for digital and voice telecommunications. Applications for the FCC/USAC Telecommunications Program are also due on April 1. Note: Start application early to complete multiple mandatory filing steps before the deadline. USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Program – April 5. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $400 million in approximately 75 awards. The funds will allow state and Tribal governments to purchase food from local farmers who are socially disadvantaged. Awards will be based on a non-competitive funding formula, The Emergency Food Assistance Program, a federal initiative that provides food to low-income individuals and families at no cost. Eligible entities include the state agencies, commissions, or departments that are responsible for agriculture, procurement, food distribution, emergency response or similar activities within the state. 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 Variation in Travel Burdens for Care: Findings from the 2017 National Household Travel Survey. Using 2017 National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) data, this project examines differences in travel patterns to medical and dental care in the U.S. based on the rurality classification, socio-demographic, and geographic characteristics of the survey population. Findings indicate that the average distance traveled for medical and dental care has changed little since the last analysis of NHTS data in 2001. The findings did note that among rural residents, Blacks and Hispanics, older residents, those with low incomes, those who seek care during night hours, and those who live in the Midwest census region bear a disproportionate burden of travel for care. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. CMS Extends Some Telehealth Provisions. Earlier this week, CMS released updates to the State Medicaid & CHIP Telehealth Toolkit to clarify that states may deliver covered services via audio-only telehealth during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and beyond. CMS Advances Maternal Health. This week, CMS issued a memo to State Survey Agency Directors encouraging hospitals to consider implementation of evidence-based best practices for the management of obstetric emergencies. The memo also addresses interventions to address other key contributors to maternal health disparities and to support the delivery of equitable, high-quality care for all pregnant and postpartum individuals. The memo includes links to rural-specific resources. Learning Events and Technical Assistance Rural Telementoring for Remote Health Care Workers – Tuesday, December 14 at 12:00 pm ET. RuralGME.org is the FORHP-supported organization providing free training and resources to support graduate medical education (GME) in rural areas. In this one-hour session, experts from the Rural Telementoring Training Center will explain the evidence-based curricula they provide to remote care workers. Urban Institute: Re-envisioning Rural America – Tuesday, December 14 at 2:30 pm ET. The guest list includes Xochitl Torres Small, Under Secretary for Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in a 90-minute discussion on strengths and opportunity for rural investment and capacity building. HRSA Health Equity Series: Mental Health in the Hispanic Community – Wednesday, December 15 at 1:00 pm ET. The second in a four-part series, this 75-minute session will identify cultural considerations in diagnosing and treating mental health and include a discussion on emotional fatigue in mental health providers. Vaccines in Rural America: A Cornerstone of Patient Care – Wednesday, December 15 at 3:00 pm ET. Wanda Filer, M.D., MBA, chief medical officer at VaxCare Corp., will share successful strategies, tailored to rural audiences, for approaching patients, staff, and the broader community. The event is hosted by the National Association of Rural Health Clinics. Learn more about HRSA's Rural Health Clinic Vaccine Confidence Program and Rural Health Clinic COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Program. Health Workforce Technical Assistance Center Webinar – Thursday, December 16 at 1:00 pm ET . Register now for the Health Workforce Technical Assistance Center's hour-long webinar - COVID-19's Effect on Access to Care for Underserved Populations: An Examination of Telehealth and Provider Attrition. Resources of the Week FOHRP Grants in Motion: #SilencetheShameTN. November's spotlight shines on The Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program (DRCHSD) that helps local leaders identify the most pressing needs for their rural residents and then collaborate to strengthen the health care response. For the Henry County Medical Center in Paris, Tennessee, it was an initiative that asked for and received community involvement in reducing the stigma around mental health and addiction. Applications for the DRCHSD program are currently being accepted from small and rural hospitals, Rural Health Clinics, and other health care organizations located in the 252 counties and parishes served by the Delta Regional Authority (a federal agency and HRSA partner). Learn more about the application process and submit an application before the December 15th deadline to be considered for the next cohort starting activities this winter. Understanding and Addressing the Social Determinants of Health: A Guide for Rural Health Care Leaders. Last week, the Rural Health Value team released a new resource to provide rural health care leaders and teams with foundational knowledge, strategies, and resources to understand the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on patients and communities and to recognize local needs and opportunities for action. The Rural Health Value team is funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy to help improve rural health care delivery. Approaching Deadlines 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 FEMA Grants for Firefighters/EMS Organizations – December 17 HRSA Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) Program – extended to December 21 Last Day for RHCs to Spend COVID-19 Testing Funds – December 31 Department of Labor Stand Down Grants for Veterans Services – December 31 USDA Guaranteed Loans for Rural Rental Housing – 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 HHS COVID-19 and Health Equity Impact Fellowship – January 4 HRSA Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2F HICs) – January 5 Nominations Sought for Indigenous Health Equity Committee – extended to January 7 NIH Research for AI/AN End-of-Life Care – January 8 USDA Farm to School Grants – January 10 HHS Grants for Family Planning Services – January 11 HRSA Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program – January 13 HRSA Nurse Faculty Loan Program – January 13 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program - Implementation – January 13 CDC Research on Telehealth Strategies for PrEP and ART – January 18 Comments Requested: DEA Regulation of Telepharmacy Practice – January 18 NIH Researching Behavioral Risk Factors for Cancer in Rural Populations – January 18 Department of Labor YouthBuild Program – January 21 ACL Empowering Communities for Chronic Disease Self-Management – January 25 ACL Empowering Communities to Deliver and Sustain Falls Prevention Programs – January 25 CDC Seeking Public Input on Work-Related Stress for Health Workers – Extended to January 25 HRSA Delta Region Rural Health Workforce Training Program – January 25 CDC Cancer Prevention and Control for State, Territorial, and Tribal Organizations – January 26 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 SAMHSA-American Psychiatric Association Diversity Leadership Fellowship – 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 National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Programs – Extended to February 3 CDC Research to Prevent Firearm-Related Violence and Injuries – February 4 RWJF Summer Health Professions Education Program for Underrepresented Minorities – February 5 HRSA Predoctoral Training in Public Health Dentistry and Dental Hygiene – February 7 VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families – February 7 USDA Farm and Food Worker Relief Grants – February 8 FCC/USAC Rural Health Care Connect Fund – April 1 FCC/USAC Telecommunications Program – April 1 USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Program – April 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 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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