August 25, 2022 What's New Next Steps for New Rural Emergency Hospital Designation. The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy is funding a new resource to assist states in conjunction with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) as they establish new licensure standards for Rural Emergency Hospitals (REH). This new NCSL website includes information on the requirements for the REH designation and relevant state actions. State policymakers have an important role to play in establishing and regulating this new provider type, as REHs are required to meet applicable state licensing, staffing, educational training, and scope of practice requirements. State-level officials and other stakeholders may visit this webpage to find examples of specific actions state legislatures have either proposed or established related to REH licensure. At the Federal level, CMS intends to finalize policies on the REH Conditions of Participation (COPs), payment policies, and provider enrollment procedures this fall before the new REH provider type becomes effective January 1, 2023. New Funding Available for HRSA Rural Health Network Development Program – Application Deadline November 22. HRSA's Federal Office of Rural Health Policy will be making approximately 44 awards of up to $300,000 each for the 2023 Rural Health Network Development Program. This four-year program will support integrated health care networks that collaborate to achieve efficiencies; expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of basic health care services and associated health outcomes; and strengthen the rural health care system as a whole. More specifically, the program supports networks as they address gaps in service, enhance systems of care, and expand capacity of the local health care system. How Does Hospital Consolidation Impact Cost, Patient Access, and Quality of Care? The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services commissioned a report by the RAND Corporation to keep track of changes to health care delivery brought by the federal No Surprises Act passed last year. This first analysis measures the effects of hospital consolidations across the country and is meant to set a baseline for future reports to Congress. Among the key findings: strong evidence that hospital mergers and acquisitions increase prices for health care services and spending; less conclusive evidence on how consolidation affects quality and patient access. Studies on the impact to rural hospitals were inconsistent, raising concern and a call for more careful examination. One Rural State's Experience with Harm Reduction During Pandemic. Researchers interviewed community partners, health care providers, and people who inject drugs in Maine to see how the pandemic affected programs, including syringe services, safe drug supply, low barrier treatment, and peer support. Some barriers to access were unavoidable, but they found specific policy decisions that mitigated barriers, while other policies exacerbated them. Assessing Technology Readiness for HIV-Related Mental Health/Substance Use Services. The study explored opportunities for enhanced screening using telehealth and electronic patient-reported outcomes at five HRSA-funded Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program clinics in Alabama – one of seven mostly rural states prioritized for the federal Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative. While there were concerns among survey respondents around lack of in-person interaction, the study revealed opportunities to expand technology use in rural areas. 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 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 Age 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 Foundation for Appalachian Ohio African American Community Fund – September 27. The regional nonprofit provides grants for nonprofits working to address disparities. Black-led organizations in the 32 counties served by the foundation may get grants for one of five focus areas: community and economic development, health and human services, education, environmental stewardship, and arts and culture. AAPD Foundation Access to Pediatric Dentistry Grants – October 3. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) offers matching grants to community-based initiatives for children with limited access to oral health care. Use of funds must be under direct supervision of a dentist and may include salaries, dentist recruitment, purchasing supplies, and special health care needs. CDC Traditional Food Sovereignty/Tribal Workforce Fellowship – October 5. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will provide a monthly stipend to recent college graduates who are American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) with a degree in one of the relevant fields: communications and graphics design; environmental and marine sciences; life, health and medical sciences; social and behavioral sciences. The fellowship lasting 1-5 years will include assisting with the CDC's Healthy Tribes Program, developing new initiatives for AI/AN populations, and gaining experience with essential public health functions. HRSA Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program – October 18. HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce supports the training of new primary care clinicians in rural and underserved communities. An investment of $18.4 million will go to 28 community-based ambulatory patient care centers with accredited residency programs. Priority will be given to applicants with a principal training site located in a Health Professional Shortage Area. 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 and Urban Pharmacy Presence – Pharmacy Deserts. Researchers at the RUPRI Center for Rural Analysis examine the availability of community pharmacies and also provide a deeper analysis of counties with no retail pharmacies (i.e., pharmacy deserts) based on metropolitan/nonmetropolitan locations. Spatial Access to Hospital-based Obstetric Units in Minoritized Racial/Ethnic Areas. Among key findings from the Rural and Minority Health Research Center: In rural ZIP code tabulation areas (ZCTA) with high proportions of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) residents, 80% had no hospital-based obstetric unit within 15 miles, and approximately one third of rural ZCTAs with highly represented Hispanic/Latino populations have no obstetric care within 30 miles. Results suggest that Black-White maternal health disparities might be independent of distances to a hospital obstetric unit at the community level and instead associated with the social determinants of health. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. CMS Seeks Comments on Medicaid & CHIP Quality Reporting Proposals – Comment by October 21. Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule to promote consistent use of nationally standardized quality measures in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and to help identify gaps and health disparities among the millions of people enrolled in these programs. This rule proposes requirements for mandatory annual state reporting of three different quality measure sets: the Core Set of Children's Health Care Quality Measures for Medicaid and CHIP; the behavioral health measures on the Core Set of Adult Health Care Quality Measures for Medicaid; and the Core Sets of Health Home Quality Measures for Medicaid. CMS is proposing that annual reporting guidance will include identification of the populations for which States must report the measures identified by the Secretary of HHS, including, but not limited to beneficiaries receiving services through Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics. CMS is also proposing that measures must be stratified by various elements including rural/urban status. National Quality Forum (NQF) Releases Report for Improving Health Outcomes of Rural Populations. The report, 2022 Key Rural Measures: An Updated List of Measures to Advance Rural Health Priorities, builds on the work of NQF's Rural Health Advisory Group, outlining 37 measures to address the specific needs of communities in rural areas. It includes 21 hospital setting measures and 16 ambulatory care setting measures. Learning Events and Technical Assistance AgriSafe: Health and Safety Learning Opportunities for Agricultural Communities – Thursday, August 25 at 7:00 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. Project ECHO Distance Training for Providers of Pediatric Dentistry – Friday, August 26 at 1:00 pm ET. Community providers will get expert knowledge in a virtual learning network with the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry. The online meetings are held on the 4th Friday of each month. Some upcoming topics: caries risk assessment, vaping, and dental treatment for patients with special health care needs. HRSA Telehealth Learning Series: Funding and Resources – Tuesday, August 30 at 2:00 pm ET. The series highlights successful projects and best practices. Topics in this session: broadband provisions in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Affordable Connectivity Program, and Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants. Perspectives on Opioid Use/Treatment Across Rural Northern New England – Wednesday, August 31 at 12:00 pm ET. The University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction (UVM CORA)will share data from their Baseline Needs Assessments in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine with insights about perceived barriers to and beliefs about opioid use disorder treatment. UVM CORA is one of three Rural Centers of Excellence on Substance Use Disorders, part of the FORHP-supported Rural Communities Opioid Response Program. Upper Midwest Telehealth Resource Center Conference - September 13-14. The 4th annual event taking place South Bend, IN, will be of interest to a wide range of professionals including clinicians, administrators, public health officials, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, local health departments, universities/students, and others interested in the development and delivery of telehealth in their community. 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. Approaching Deadlines ACF Economic Development Focus on Energy Communities – August 29 Comments Requested: Rural Emergency Hospital Conditions of Medicare Participation – August 29 Request for Information on How to Improve Medicare Advantage – August 31 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: 2023 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Proposed Rule – September 13 NRHA Rural Health Fellows Program – September 15 Comments Requested: Proposed Rule on Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities – September 26 Department of Education Promise Neighborhoods Program – September 27 Foundation for Appalachian Ohio African American Community Fund – September 27 PCORI Stakeholder Convening Support – Letters of Intent, September 29 PCORI Capacity Building for Small Organizations – Letters of Intent, September 29 CMS New Model for Cancer Care in Medicare – September 30 DOJ Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions for SUD – September 30 NTIA Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure – September 30 Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project – September 30 AAPD Foundation Access to Pediatric Dentistry Grants – October 3 CDC Traditional Food Sovereignty/Tribal Workforce Development Fellowship – October 5 USDA Small Business Innovation Research, Phase 1 – October 6 HRSA Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program – October 12 DOT Reconnecting Communities Pilot Discretionary Grant Program – October 13 HRSA Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program – October 18 HUD Supplemental Funding to Address Unsheltered and Rural Homelessness – October 20 Comments Requested: CMS Proposals for Medicaid & CHIP Quality Reporting – October 21 HRSA Geriatrics Academic Career Award Program – November 3 HRSA Rural Health Network Development Program – November 22 AmeriCorps State and National Grants – January 4 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 Heart Association Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator 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 w/ Cancer Caregivers to Improve 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 Research to Improve Native American Health – Various Dates Until September 2023 NIH Practice-Based Research for Primary Care Suicide Prevention – February 2023 NIH Researching Mental Health Practices in Low-Resource Settings – September 2024 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 SAMHSA Training to Provide Medication Assisted Treatment 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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