February 10, 2022 What's New HHS Effort to Boost Vaccine Confidence Sends $66.5 Million into Communities. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) announced more American Rescue Plan funding for community-based outreach to build COVID-19 vaccine confidence. This latest push in the effort that began last summer will support eight grantees with networks that reach rural areas and communities with underserved minority populations. The funding will be used to support trusted local partners who know and understand their neighbors and are best positioned to deliver needed information. Medicare to Cover Free, Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests. Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that people in either Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage will be able to get over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at no cost starting in early spring. Under the new initiative, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to access up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per month for free. Tests will be available through eligible pharmacies and other participating entities. This policy will apply to COVID-19 over-the-counter tests approved or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For more information, CMS has posted a list of Frequently Asked Questions. National Action Plan and Task Force on Human Trafficking. Twenty federal agencies will coordinate a government-wide effort to combat human trafficking, an issue that crops up in rural areas where secluded locations make it difficult for law enforcement to detect. Sometimes called a form of "modern day slavery," human trafficking is estimated to generate illegal profits in the billions. The human toll is greatest on individuals with vulnerabilities such as recent migration, single motherhood, recent contact with the child welfare system, a substance dependency, or a mental health condition. A recent article from The Rural Monitor explains how rural providers are uniquely positioned to provide care for victims. Spread the Word About Vaccine Boosters. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) 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. A few weeks ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded booster eligibility to include adolescents ages 12 to 17, recommending that they receive a booster shot five months after their initial vaccination. The CDC also released a new resource, based on input from rural health departments and organizations, with 12 strategies to increase vaccine uptake in rural communities (pdf). Search by zip code to find nearby locations providing adult and pediatric vaccines and boosters for COVID-19 and the flu at vaccines.gov. 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 Provider Relief Fund (PRF). The reporting portal is open for providers required to report on PRF payments during Reporting Period 2, and will remain open until March 31, 2022. 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. Community Toolkit for Addressing Health Misinformation. The new resources help 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 (pdf) 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 COVID-19 Vaccination Trainings (pdf) for new and experienced providers, and Tips for Talking with Patients about COVID-19 Vaccination. New: Updated Guidelines on Quarantine and Isolation, and Rural Considerations for Vaccine Confidence and Uptake Strategies (pdf). 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 Grant 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. 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 AMA Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarships – February 28. The American Medical Association (AMA) makes awards under seven national and regional categories, including scholarships for students underrepresented in medicine who are committed to addressing health equity. Third year students currently enrolled in an accredited allopathic or osteopathic medical school may be eligible to receive $10,000 for their final year in medical school. NIH Innovations for Improving Minority Health/Eliminating Health Disparities – April 4. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will award funding to small business concerns to develop a product, process, or service with the aim of improving minority health and/or reducing disparities in the following groups: racial and ethnic minorities, socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, sexual and gender minorities, and individuals living in rural areas. HRSA Pediatric Mental Health Care Access – New Area Expansion – April 5. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will make 10 awards to expand state and/or regional networks of pediatric mental health care teams into new states and geographic areas. Teams will provide tele-consultation, training, technical assistance, and care coordination for primary care providers to diagnose, treat, and refer children with behavioral health conditions. Projects should focus on health equity related to racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities in access to care, especially in rural and other underserved areas. Eligible applicants include states, political subdivisions of states, tribes, and tribal organizations that are not currently funded under this program. HRSA Area Health Education Centers – April 6. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will make 55 awards with an investment of more than $43 million to develop education and training networks within communities, academic institutions, and community based organizations. These networks will support HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce increase diversity among health professionals, broaden the distribution of the health workforce, and improve health care delivery to rural and underserved areas. Eligible applicants are public or nonprofit accredited schools of allopathic medicine and osteopathic medicine and incorporated consortia made up of such schools. ACF Social and Economic Development Strategies for Tribal Communities – April 15. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) will make 48 awards with a $12 million investment for community-driven projects to strengthen local economies. Legislative priority areas for this funding include development of commercial and legal codes, incorporating Community Development Financial Institutions. Through tribal consultations ACF identified several community-based priority areas that will be awarded bonus points. These are: Native Veterans, Emergency Preparedness and Response, and/or Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons. 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. Meeting the Behavioral Health Needs of Farm Families in Times of Economic Distress. In this policy brief from the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis researchers offer strategies to support the development of systems across health care and community-based organizations to improve access to behavioral health. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. Comments Requested: Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Advance Notice – Respond by March 4. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) propose policy changes to payment for MA and Part D drug programs for 2023 and seek public comment. CMS also requests input on including a quality measure in MA and Part D Star Ratings that would assess how often plans are screening for common health-related social needs, such as food insecurity, housing insecurity, and transportation problems and what impact proposed payment changes for enrollees with end stage renal disease would have on rural and urban underserved populations. Learning Events and Technical Assistance Rural Communities Opioid Response: Developing a Systems Mindset – Thursday, February 10 at 2:00 pm ET. Experts will provide an overview of a systems thinking approach to address complex public health challenges. All are welcomed to attend this learning event hosted by the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Technical Assistance, a HRSA/FORHP-supported program. Long COVID ECHO Webinar Series – Thursday, February 10 at 3:00 pm ET. The Health Centers of San Diego, the ECHO Institute, University of Washington, and University of Colorado have collaborated to provide CDC-funded monthly webinar-style ECHO learning sessions to rapidly disseminate findings and best practices related to patients experiencing ongoing health challenges after COVID-19 infection, a condition generally known as "Long COVID." This is a monthly webinar series with sessions currently scheduled from February through June. Project ECHO (pdf) began as an effort to support the management of patients with the hepatitis C virus in rural New Mexico, and has since been adapted to a number of other health conditions and settings. White House Weekly Rural Stakeholders Call – Thursday, February 10 at 3:00 pm ET. On this week's call, the White House Office of Public Engagement will be joined by USDA Senior Advisor for Climate Sean Babington who will discuss work to partner with agriculture, forestry, and rural communities to combat the climate crisis. HRSA Health Equity Series: Advancing Health Equity in the Hispanic Community – Wednesday, February 16 at 1:00 pm ET. The third in a four-part series, this session will focus on barriers to digital heath literacy and identify best practices and resources. The webinar will be broadcast in Spanish with live language interpretation to English. Resource of the Week American Lung Association (ALA) Reaching Rural Providers Initiative. The effort aims to increase early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of respiratory conditions with a prevalence in rural areas that is nearly twice that in the overall population. To do this, the ALA is offering continuing education credits for rural nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and allied health professionals, such as pharmacists. Resources are available nationwide, but additional focus will be on rural communities in six states with the highest estimates for COPD diagnosis, hospitalizations and death – Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and West Virginia. Approaching Deadlines IHS Tribal Self-Governance Negotiation – February 10 IHS Tribal Self-Governance Planning – February 10 CDC Strengthening Infection Prevention – February 11 Rural Healthy People 2030 Survey – February 14 SAMHSA Grants for Rural Emergency Medical Services Training – February 14 CDC Public Health Associate Program Host Sites – February 18 Indigenous Public Health Leadership Program – February 21 CDC Evaluating Substance Use Prevention Incorporating ACEs Prevention – February 22 HRSA Mobile Health Training - Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention – February 22 USDA Rural eConnectivity Broadband Loan and Grant Program – February 22 DOL Employment Services for Homeless Vets – February 23 Comments Requested: Changes to Graduate Medical Education Payments – February 25 National Indian Health Board/CDC Infectious Disease Learning Community Facilitation (PDF) – February 25 AMA Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarships – February 28 NIH Preventing Opioid Misuse by Intervening on Social Determinants – March 2 Appalachian Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) – Letters of Intent March 3 Comments Requested: Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Advance Notice – March 4 Comments Requested: 2023 Proposed Updates to Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug Program – March 7 HRSA Rural Health and Economic Development Analysis Program – March 8 National Environmental Public Health Internship – March 9 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Behavioral Health Care Technical Assistance (RCORP-BHCTA) – March 9 CDC Rigorous Evaluation of Recovery Support Services – March 14 CDC Tribal Practices for Wellness in Indian Country – March 16 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholars Program – March 16 HRSA Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network Program – March 18 HRSA Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program – March 21 DOJ Grants to Tribal Governments/Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction – March 22 USDA Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program – March 23 ONC Seeks Public Input on Electronic Prior Authorization – Comment by March 25 CMS Funding for Connecting Kids to Coverage Outreach and Enrollment – March 28 HRSA Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program – March 31 Medicare-Funded Residency Slots – March 31 USDA Program for Women and Minorities in STEM Fields – March 31 FCC/USAC Rural Health Care Connect Fund – April 1 FCC/USAC Telecommunications Program – April 1 NIH Innovations for Improving Minority Health/Eliminating Health Disparities – April 4 HRSA Pediatric Mental Health Care Access – New Area Expansion – April 5 HRSA Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program – April 5 USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Program – April 5 HRSA Area Health Education Centers – April 6 NIH Evaluating Pandemic-related Food/Housing Policies on Disparity Populations – April 7 DOT RAISE Grants for Transportation Infrastructure – April 14 HRSA Health Workforce Research Centers – April 14 USDA Rural Business Development: Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems – April 14 ACF Early Childhood Home Visiting Program for Tribal Communities – April 15 ACF Social and Economic Development Strategies for Tribal Communities – April 15 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) – Behavioral Health Care Support – April 19 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 Affordable Connectivity Program 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 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Seed Grants for Climate Change and Health – Quarterly through August 2023 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 Seeking Nominations for Migrant Health Advisory 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 Host Sites for National Environmental Public Health Internship 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 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) | 
Connect with HRSA
No comments:
Post a Comment