July 14, 2022 What's New A Look at Suicide Rates Ahead of 988 Launch. Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the national nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation reports that suicide death rates in 2020 were highest among American Indian and Alaska Native people, males, and people who live in rural areas. While women are more likely to report mental illness and are more likely to attempt suicide, suicide death rates for men are four times higher. The report comes ahead of the launch of a new crisis line, 988, that goes live this Saturday. The Bipartisan Policy Center provides details on the funding and policy steps taken to implement 988 and identifies three areas – federal interagency collaboration, the behavioral health workforce, and financing – essential to its success. Comments Requested: HHS Initiative to Strengthen Primary Care – August 1. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) seeks input from individuals; paid and unpaid caregivers; community-based organizations; health care providers; professional societies; community health centers and Rural Health Clinics; state, local, tribal, and territorial governments and public health departments; educators; academic researchers; global partners; health insurance payers and purchasers; health technology developers; and policy experts. Respondents are asked to provide information on successful models or innovations that improve primary health care, as well as successful strategies to engage communities. Executive Order Clarifies Guidance for Emergency Reproductive Health Services. On Monday, HHS announced new guidance on the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act that protects providers when offering life- or health-saving abortion services in emergency situations. The statute requires Medicare hospitals to provide all patients an appropriate medical screening, examination, stabilizing treatment, and transfer, if necessary, irrespective of any state laws or mandates that apply to specific procedures. CMS Establishes a Framework for Health Equity. Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of Minority Health released the CMS Framework for Health Equity. Using five priority areas, CMS will use this framework to design, implement, and operationalize policies and programs to support health for all people served by its programs including rural populations. Study Examines Contraception Among Women Who Use Drugs in Rural Communities. Researchers looked at survey responses from women of reproductive age across eight rural U.S. regions to determine the association between contraceptive use and SUD treatment, healthcare utilization, and substance use. They found that less than 40 percent of respondents to the Rural Opioid Initiative (ROI) survey reported contraceptive use, compared to 66 percent responding to a more general survey on families, fertility, and health from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Odds of contraceptive use increased, however, for ROI women who had received treatment for substance use disorder within the last 30 days. 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 $1.2 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. HRSA supports health care providers facing solvency challenges that affect their ability to respond to emerging health crises in an equitable manner. New: The Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal is now open for reporting on use of funds in Reporting Period 3. Providers who received one or more PRF payments exceeding $10,000, in the aggregate, during the third Payment Received Period (January 1 to June 30, 2021) must report on their use of funds by September 30, 2022. New users can get started by registering in the PRF Reporting Portal (if not yet completed). If a reporting entity has previously reported, they do not need to register again and may log into the portal with their username, TIN, and password. For more information visit the PRF Reporting web page. COVID-19 Vaccines Available for Children Under 5. On Saturday, June 18, the federal committee that advises on all vaccines recommended that all children 6 months and older should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Parents can reach out to their doctor, nurse, local pharmacy, health department, or visit vaccines.gov to learn more about vaccine safety and to find availability nearby. New: Research identifies the most effective messages for parents. Guidance on COVID-19 Booster Shots. On May 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 who completed their primary vaccination more than five months ago. The CDC also strengthened its recommendation that those 12 and older who are immunocompromised and those 50 and older should receive a second booster dose at least four months after their first. Visit COVID.gov to find nearby locations for masks, testing, vaccines, and treatment. One Stop Online for COVID Prevention and Treatment in Every County. Visitors to the site can enter their county and map nearby locations for masks, respirators, vaccines, boosters, and all testing and treatment options. Spread the Word About Vaccine Boosters. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) provides resources – posters, flyers, videos, and talking points – to help promote the extra protection from COVID-19 boosters. 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. Teams of critical care clinicians - critical care physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other specialized clinical experts – 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. Online Resource for Licensure of Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Psychologists and Social Workers. The site provides up-to-date information on emergency regulation and licensing in each state. 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. Webinar recordings explaining RHC vaccine programs are available on the National Association of Rural Health Clinics website. Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Resources for COVID-19. A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from our grantees and stakeholders. 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 AARP Foundation Grants for Medicare Savings Program Outreach – August 3. The national nonprofit seeks community-based organizations serving older adults who are living with low income to apply for grants of up to $150,000 each. Applicants must have a record of successful outreach to underserved populations for this program aiming to educate, engage, and enroll eligible older adults in the Medicare Savings Program. National Center for American Indian Health Professions Pre-Admissions Workshops - August 24. American Indian and Alaska Natives who are recent college graduates or current students in high school, community college, or undergraduate may apply for a three-day workshop to prepare for admission to medical school. DOT Reconnecting Communities Pilot Discretionary Grant Program – October 13. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) estimates 125 grants for projects that reconnect disadvantaged communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating highways or other transportation facilities. The program seeks to award funding to rural and tribal areas to increase access to jobs, healthcare, grocery stores, schools, and other community destinations. 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. Racial Inequities in the Availability of Evidence-Based Supports for Maternal and Infant Health in 93 Rural U.S. Counties with Hospital-Based Obstetric Care. Rural residents who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) experience even poorer pregnancy-related health outcomes. Racial disparities in rural maternal and infant health outcomes may be related to limited accessibility of clinical care and pregnancy/postnatal support programs and services in rural communities. This policy brief from the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center describes these differences between majority-BIPOC versus majority-white rural counties' available maternal and infant health evidence-based supports. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. Medicare Updates Physician Payment and Other Policies for 2023 – Comment by September 6. On July 7, CMS published a proposed rule updating payment policies, payment rates, and other provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Included in this rule are updates to Accountable Care Organization (ACO) policies under the Medicare Shared Savings Program designed to increase participation among rural and underserved communities, including proposals to provide Advance Investment Payments building on lessons learned from CMS's ACO Investment Model and to smooth the transition to performance-based risk. Additionally, CMS is extending telehealth regulatory flexibilities beyond the pandemic in line with the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 and incorporating new chronic pain management and behavioral health integration services to the Rural Health Clinic and Federally Qualified Health Center codes. HRSA Publishes HPSA List and Updates on HPSAs for Withdrawal. On July 7, HRSA published the complete lists of all geographic areas, population groups, and facilities designated as primary medical care, dental health, and mental health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) as of April 29, 2022. In this notice, HRSA also indicated that the agency will be providing a longer transition time for jurisdictions and facilities to prepare for potential change of HPSA designations given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, HPSA designations that are currently proposed for withdrawal will remain designated in "proposed for withdrawal" status until they are reevaluated in preparation for the publication of the 2023 HPSA notice. This additional time will allow jurisdictions to re-evaluate their HPSAs against the designation criteria, and plan for potential changes in staffing. Learning Events and Technical Assistance HHS Webinar Series: Healthcare Sector and Climate Change – Thursday, July 14 at 12:00 pm ET. The first in a webinar series from the HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity will feature information on resources from the Department of Energy that support emissions reduction. AgriSafe: Health and Safety Learning Opportunities for Agricultural Communities – Thursday, July 14 at 1:00 pm ET. AgriSafe continues its QPR Training each Thursday to help laypeople and professionals recognize and respond to mental health crises using the Question, Persuade, and Refer method. Next week, learn about the AgriStress Helpline, staffed 24/7 by trained professionals to respond to suicide crisis in agricultural communities. National Stakeholder Call with the CMS Administrator – Tuesday, July 19 at 1:00 pm ET. Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure will provide an update on recent accomplishments of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Strategic Plan. CMS provides public health insurance for more than 135 million Americans. Recently, the agency announced a new provider type, the Rural Emergency Hospital. (See August 29 deadline for comments from the public, below.) HRSA: Respectful and High-Quality Maternal Care – Thursday, July 21 at 11:00 am. HRSA's Office of Global Health launches its new Global Health Forum series by joining with the Maternal and Child Health Bureau and Office of Women's Health as well as the World Health Organization and U.S. Agency for International Development. This session will explore respectful maternity care principles, inequities, and equalities for improved programs in maternal health. For more information, contact Tanchica West at HRSA. Resource of the Week New Federal Resources to Address Connectivity in Rural and Tribal Communities. Recently, Congress created the Affordable Connectivity Program, a $14 billion program that may help people in rural communities get the internet connections they need for work, school, health care and more. Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application. This benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. To apply or ask questions, visit affordableconnectivity.gov or call the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575. Approaching Deadlines SAMHSA Recovery Innovation Challenge – July 15 DHS Demonstration Project for Rural Emergency Medical Communication – July 18 IHS Addressing Dementia in Indian Country: Models of Care – July 18 SAMHSA State Opioid Response Grants – July 18 SAMHSA Partnerships for Innovative Community Crisis Response – July 25 Treasury Equitable Recovery/Community Development Financial Institutions Fund – July 26 HRSA Rural Emergency Hospital Technical Assistance Center – July 27 CMS Minority Research Grant Program – July 28 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program - Medication-Assisted Treatment Access – July 29 USDA Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program – July 31 USDA Water and Waste Disposal Revolving Loan Funds – July 31 Vulnerable Rural Hospital Assistance Program – July 31 Comments Requested: HHS Initiative to Strengthen Primary Care – August 1 Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program – August 1 HRSA Primary Health Care Innovation Challenge – August 2 AARP Foundation Grants for Medicare Savings Program Outreach – August 3 NIH Research – Alcohol and Other Substance Use – August 10 DOJ Supporting Vulnerable Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care – August 15 Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program – August 15 NIH Researching Social Connectedness for SUD Treatment – August 15 USDA Rural Placemaking Challenge – August 15 Comments Requested: CMS Home Health Policies and Payment Updates for 2023 – August 16 Comments Requested: CMS ESRD Policies and Payment Updates for 2023 – August 22 EPA Training/Technical Assistance for Rural Wastewater Treatment – August 22 National Center for American Indian Health Professions Pre-Admissions Workshops - August 24 Comments Requested: Rural Emergency Hospital Conditions of Medicare Participation – August 29 USDA Capacity Building for Historically Black 1890 Land-Grant Institutions – August 31 Comments Requested: Medicare Updates Physician Payment and Other Policies for 2023 – September 6 CMS New Model for Cancer Care in Medicare – September 30 NTIA Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure – September 30 DOT Reconnecting Communities Pilot Discretionary Grant Program – October 13 HUD Supplemental Funding to Address Unsheltered and Rural Homelessness – October 20 Ongoing Opportunities CFPB Rental Assistance Finder Extended Public Comment Period for FCC's COVID-19 Telehealth Program FCC Affordable Connectivity Program for Broadband Service FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance HRSA Payment Program for Buprenorphine-Trained Clinicians – Until Funds Run Out SAMHSA 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Volunteer and Job Opportunities VA Rapid Retraining Assistance Program – December 2022 or Until Funds Run Out ACF Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program AgriSafe Mental Health Training for Agricultural Producers & Families AgriSafe Nurse Scholar Program – March 2023 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 Post-Disaster Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program 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 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 Practice-Based Research for Primary Care Suicide Prevention – February 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 Treasury Department Opportunity Zone Economic Development Program 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 Multifamily Housing Loan Guarantees 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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