July 28, 2022 What's New CMS Stepping Up Maternity Care. On Tuesday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced new efforts to improve health outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum periods. The Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis supports a push from the White House to address rising rates of maternal mortality and morbidity nationwide. Researchers have reported significant disparities by race – Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native Women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes – and by geography, with a pregnancy-related mortality ratio of 29.4 per 100,000 live births in rural areas, versus 18.2 in urban areas in 2015. HHS Accelerates Response to Monkeypox. Last week, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) provided details on efforts to increase community-level access to vaccines, testing, and treatment. As of July 26, there are 3,591 confirmed cases across 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The virus can spread from person-to-person in different ways. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention is urging providers to be alert for symptoms and follow Clinician Outreach and Communication for updates. Urban–Rural Differences in Drug Overdose Death Rates, 2020. A new brief from the National Center for Health Statistics gives geographic detail on the latest increase in overdose death rates reported last week. Overall, urban counties had higher rates, but eight states – California, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Vermont, and Virginia – had rates that were higher in rural counties. The data showed that, compared to urban counties, female death rates were higher in rural counties and that deaths involving psychostimulants – such as cocaine and methamphetamine – were higher in rural counties. GAO Recommends National Strategy for Broadband on Tribal Lands. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports that federal funding for broadband access increased from 2015-2020, but that close to one in five people living on tribal lands remain unserved by broadband as of 2020. Barriers include fragmentation of federal programs and difficult application requirements. The agency that is often called the "congressional watchdog" recommends a national strategy that is specific to tribal barriers, with clear roles, goals, and performance measures. Update on 2020 Census Count: Age Variations by County. A new interactive map will give you a county's population and its median age – the midpoint at which one-half of the population is older and one-half is younger. Variations in age distribution within a state are common; for example, median ages in South Dakota ranged from 23 in Todd County to 56 in Custer County. The Census Bureau has not yet released numbers for older U.S. residents from the 2020 count, but a report from 2019 showed that 17.5 percent of the rural population was 65 years and older compared to 13.8 percent in urban areas. Overall, the Census estimated that the nation's 65-and-older population had grown by a third since 2010, and that the working-age population is not keeping pace with the growth of older Americans. 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. In June, 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 Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program – August 1. Applications are currently being accepted for the next cohort of this program providing technical assistance to small and rural hospitals, rural health clinics and other health care organizations located in the 252 counties and parishes served by the federal Delta Regional Authority. Support for the next cohort will begin this winter and assist with quality improvement, finance and operations, telehealth, community care coordination, workforce, emergency medical services, and population health. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, but organizations submitting by August 1st can increase their chances for 1 of 10 slots in the next cohort. National Environmental Public Health Internship - August 8. Students will be placed with a local, state, or tribal health department for this 10-week internship offered by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). Participants will receive a base stipend of $6,000 for undergraduates and $8,000 for graduates. The NEHA stresses diversity across many variables – ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, geography, and first-generation college students – to help identify gaps and disparities in vulnerable communities. HRSA Registered Nurse Training Program – August 19. HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce aims to increase the number of acute care nurses in rural and underserved areas through its Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention Program. Total funding of $4.75 million will go to eligible schools of nursing, health care facilities, nurse-managed health clinics, or partnerships of schools and facilities. Join a webinar for applicants on Friday, July 29 at 1:00 pm ET. A separate program, the Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention - Clinical Faculty and Preceptor Academies Program, aims to create academic-clinical partnerships to develop and implement a formal curriculum for training clinical nursing faculty and preceptors. Applications are due August 22. A webinar for applicants will be held TODAY at 1:00 pm ET. 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. Increased Rates of Death from Unintentional Injury Among non-Hispanic White, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Nonmetropolitan Communities. Researchers at the Rural and Underserved Health Research Center found visits to the emergency department for unintentional injuries in 2018 were similar in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, but injuries for rural residents were more likely to be fatal. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. No policy updates this week. Learning Events and Technical Assistance AgriSafe: Health and Safety Learning Opportunities for Agricultural Communities – Thursday, July 28 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. Evaluating Rural Maternity Program – Monday, August 1 at 1:00 pm ET. This presentation discusses lessons learned from the planning and first implementation years of the HRSA-funded Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program. Presentation topics include network facilitators and barriers, successful strategies to improve access to care, and overviews of awardee populations and health outcomes. 2021 Health Center Data Trends – Tuesday, August 9 at 1:00 pm ET. Learn about trends in 2021 Uniform Data System (UDS) data on health center patient demographics, staffing, and clinical quality measures. Speakers will highlight health centers' efforts to increase primary care access for rural and other populations and answer your questions about how to access UDS data. Save the Date | NRTRC 2022 Telehealth Conference – September 26-28. The Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center (NRTRC) invites participants to its annual conference virtually or in person Salt Lake City, Utah. The agenda includes opportunities to network and learn about innovative telehealth models, policy, and what's to come. Apply by August 15 for a limited number of scholarships available for employees at Indian Health Services facilities, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, or Critical Access Hospitals. Early Bird registration for the conference ends August 1. Resources of the Week Summer Meals Site Finder. The interactive site allows a search by zip code and will map all Summer Meal Sites within a 15 mile radius. You can also text "Summer Meals" to 914-342-7744 or call 1-866-348-6479 to find a site near you. The U.S. Department of Agriculture accepts applications for new sites on an ongoing basis. Telehealth for Promoting Maternal Health. A new best practice guide from HRSA explains how telehealth can create connections between patients and providers for maternal health in rural and underserved areas. Approaching Deadlines 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 National Environmental Public Health Internship - August 8 NIH Research – Alcohol and Other Substance Use – August 10 CDC Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure – August 15 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 HRSA Registered Nurse Training Program – August 19 HRSA Nurse Education - Clinical Faculty and Preceptor Academies Program – August 22 Comments Requested: CMS ESRD Policies and Payment Updates for 2023 – August 22 EPA Training/Technical Assistance for Rural Wastewater Treatment – August 22 HUD Veterans Housing Rehabilitation/Modification Pilot Program – August 24 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 Department of Education Full Service Community Schools Program – September 12 Comments Requested: CY2023 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Proposed Rule – September 13 Department of Education Promise Neighborhoods Program – September 27 CMS New Model for Cancer Care in Medicare – September 30 NTIA Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure – September 30 HRSA Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program – October 12 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 – October 2023 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: 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 EPA Water Infrastructure and Innovation Program 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 Community Assistance Corporation Community Facility Loans for Western States and Pacific Islands 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) | 
No comments:
Post a Comment