December 22, 2022 Happy Holidays. We'll return on January 5 in the New Year. What's New Understanding Eligibility for Conversion to Rural Emergency Hospital. This brief presents updated data for Rural Emergency Hospital (REH)-eligible hospitals, compares several financial and operational measures of three rural hospitals that are on public record as having expressed interest in REH conversion to all the REH-eligible hospitals, and discusses what factors may ultimately determine the number of rural hospitals that convert to REH. The data is provided by the North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center, one of nine centers currently publishing work on the FORHP-supported Rural Health Research Gateway." Next month, the newly formed Rural Emergency Hospital Technical Assistance Center will host a 90-minute webinar to provide an overview of this new provider designation, including the requirements for participation and payment. Funding Opportunity: Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Program – Applications due March 7, 2023. HRSA's Federal Office of Rural Health Policy will be making a $800,000 investment for one organization providing targeted, in-depth technical assistance to rural hospitals communities struggling to maintain health care services. The recipient will work with selected individual hospitals to find ways to keep needed care locally, whether it is with a more limited set of services provided by the hospital, or by exploring other mechanisms for meeting community health care needs. Eligible applicants include domestic public or private, for-profit or non-profit entities. Domestic faith based and community-based organizations, tribes, and tribal organizations are also eligible to apply. This program was previously named the Vulnerable Rural Hospitals Assistance Program (HRSA-18-121). Funding Opportunity: Delta States Rural Development Network Grant Program – Applications Due March 22, 2023. On Tuesday, the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) announced a new funding opportunity that supports the development of integrated health care networks to address unmet local health care needs and prevalent health disparities in rural Delta communities. Through the Delta States Rural Development Network Grant Program (2023), FORHP will award approximately $12 million across 12 awards. The Delta Program's purpose is to: (i) to achieve efficiencies; (ii) to expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of essential health care services; and (iii) to strengthen the rural health care system as a whole. Interested applicants may attend a live webinar on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, from 2-3:30 p.m. ET. Free Home-Delivered COVID-19 Tests Available Once Again. Please share with your community members that free COVID-19 test are once again available for order through the United States Postal Service. Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home self-tests from USPS.com. Spread the Word About Health Insurance. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has a collection of tools for helping individuals and families get health insurance during the Marketplace Open Enrollment period, November 1, 2022 through January 15, 2023. Graphics, social media messages, and customizable posters and fact sheets, are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Marketplace plans are an important source of coverage for people in rural areas, who represent approximately 15 percent of Marketplace enrollees in states using HealthCare.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 $1.2 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 *New: The Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal will be open from January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 for Reporting Period 4 (RP4). Providers who received one or more PRF (General or Targeted) and/or American Rescue Plan Rural payments exceeding $10,000, in the aggregate, from July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 must report on their use of funds during RP4. Resources are available to assist providers with completing their reports. For a quick glance at all our reporting-related resources, visit the PRF Reporting Resources Page. *New: Updated Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccines. On Friday, December 9, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccines for children down to 6 months of age. This expands earlier guidance announced in October. Current recommendation is that people aged 6 months and older receive one updated (bivalent) dose if it has been at least 2 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose, whether that was: - Their final primary series dose, or
- An original monovalent dose
People who have gotten more than one original (monovalent) dose are also recommended to get an updated (bivalent) dose. In September, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services announced that people with public, private, or no insurance coverage can get COVID-19 vaccines at no cost, for as long as the federal government continues purchasing and distributing them. To find nearby locations for vaccines, masks, testing, and treatment, visit COVID.gov. 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 HRSA Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Capacity Development Program – February 17. HRSA will make 50 awards for Part C of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. Eligible organizations – including those in rural areas – are: independent school districts; state, local, and tribal governments; tribal organizations; non- and for-profit organizations; and special district governments. Over one year of performance, award recipients will complete one short-term activity that will help increase access to high-quality HIV primary health care services for low-income and underserved people with HIV. CDC Research Grants to Inform Firearm-Related Violence Prevention Strategies – February 20. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is soliciting investigator-initiated research to directly inform or improve prevention strategies to reduce the burden of firearm-related violence and injuries. These include mass shooting incidents, firearm homicides/assaults, firearm suicides/self-harm, unintentional firearm deaths and injuries, and firearm-related crime being considered for a separate, but related program that was announced here last week, CDC Researching Strategies to Prevent Firearm-Related Violence – February 16. 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. See "Understanding Rural Emergency Hospitals" under What's New. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. Comments Requested: Proposed Updates to Health Insurance Marketplaces – January 30. CMS seeks public comment on the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2024, which proposes updates to the standards for issuers and Marketplaces offering qualified health plans through Healthcare.gov. Proposals include adding Mental Health Facilities and Substance Disorder Treatment Centers as Essential Community Provider (ECP) categories, including Rural Emergency Hospitals as a provider type in the Other ECP Providers category, adding a special enrollment period for consumers who lose Medicaid/CHIP coverage during the year, and allowing assisters to conduct door-to-door enrollment. The number of Marketplace plans offered in rural areas has been increasing, although there are still fewer plans available compared to urban areas. Comments Requested: Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D Updates – February 13. CMS recently displayed a proposed rule that includes revisions to Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, as well as changes to the Medicare prescription drug benefit, Medicare Part D, that are part of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) requirements passed earlier this year. As part of updates to promote health equity, CMS is proposing to update its current regulations that require MA organizations to ensure that services are provided in a culturally competent manner to list populations for consideration including rural residents. The rule also makes updates to Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and to all 4 parts of Medicare regarding the standard for an identified overpayment. According to a recent brief from the RUPRI Center, while rural counties had a lower rate of MA participation than urban counties (34.6 percent and 44.6 percent, respectively), the rate of enrollment growth was higher in rural areas between 2020 and 2021 (14.2 percent and 6.2 percent, respectively). Learning Events and Technical Assistance White House Rural Partners Call – Thursday, December 22 at 3:00 pm ET. On this week's call, the Office of Public Engagement will be joined by White House Domestic Climate Senior Policy Advisor Alison Cassady who will provide an overview of the Inflation Reduction Act Guidebook released last week. Also joining the call: Department of Transportation Director of BIL Implementation Katie Thomson who will discuss recently announced rural transportation investments funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Applying to the Delta States Rural Development Network Program – Wednesday, January 11 at 2:00 pm ET. FORHP staff will provide an overview of the application process for this program to address unmet local health care needs and prevalent health disparities in rural Delta communities. For more information, email DeltaStatesGrantPrgm@hrsa.gov. Orientation to Rural Emergency Hospital Conversion – Wednesday, January 18 at 12:00 pm ET. Attendees of this 90-minute session will learn about this new Medicare provider designation intended to address rural hospital closures. The webinar is hosted by Mathematica and the HRSA/FORHP-supported Rural Health Design Center, a technical assistance provider for hospitals exploring conversion to Rural Emergency Hospital. Resource of the Week Midwife Medicaid Reimbursement Policies by State. The National Academy for State Health Policy provides this interactive map summarizing state Medicaid reimbursement policies for all types of midwives. Midwives still have an important role to play in providing care in rural areas, where there are currently more midwives than physicians in practices. Approaching Deadlines CDC Pilot Projects to Advance Harm Reduction/Prevent Overdose – December 23 NBCC Minority Fellowship Program for Mental Health Counselors (Masters and Doctoral) – December 31 NBCC Foundation Rural Scholarship for Mental Health Counselors – December 31 USDA Technical Assistance/Training Grants for Rural Water Systems – December 31 National Association of Rural Health Clinics Fellowship Program – January 2 AmeriCorps State and National Grants – January 4 CDC Grants for Injury Control Research Centers – January 6 Department of Labor Nursing Expansion Grants – January 6 HRSA Rural Health Network Development Planning Program – January 6 USDA Farm to School Grant Program – January 6 FCC Outreach Grants for Affordable Connectivity Program – January 9 HRSA Rural Telementoring Training Center Cooperative Agreement – January 9 ACL Empowering Communities to Address Behavioral Health and Chronic Pain through Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs – January 11 EPA Researching Health Impacts on Children in Rural Agricultural Communities – January 11 NIH/Duke/UNC – RADx-UP Rapid Research to Improve COVID-19 Disparities – January 13 FDA Innovation Award: Researching COVID-19 and Health Equity – January 16 AmeriCorps VISTA Accepting Concept Papers for Projects to Alleviate Poverty – January 18 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Overdose Response – January 19 Clinic Applications for ALAI UP - HIV Treatment for Underserved Populations – January 20 Request for Nominations: Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality – January 23 EPA Training and Technical Assistance for Small Public Water Systems – January 26 Education Department Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grants – January 27 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Evaluation – January 27 HRSA Rural Residency Planning and Development Program – January 27 Comments Requested: Proposed Updates to Health Insurance Marketplaces – January 30 Comments Requested: Proposed Policies for the 340B Drug Pricing Program's Alternative Dispute Resolution Process – January 30 USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants – January 30 ACL Rural HIV and Aging Challenge, Phase 1 – January 31 Comments Requested: Protections for Patients with Substance Use Challenges – January 31 American Psychiatric Association Diversity Leadership Fellowship – February 3 SAMHSA Minority Fellowship – February 3 Department of Labor Youthbuild Grants – February 7 HRSA Funding for Rural Health Innovation and Transformation Technical Assistance Provider – February 7 HRSA Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship Program – February 10 Comments Requested: Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D Updates – February 13 Comments Requested: Proposed Updates to Expand Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment – February 14 CDC Researching Strategies to Prevent Firearm-Related Violence – February 16 HRSA Funding One Provider: Rural Quality Improvement Technical Assistance – February 17 HRSA Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Capacity Development Program – February 17 CDC Research Grants to Inform Firearm-Related Violence Prevention Strategies – February 20 USDA Emergency Food Assistance Program – Reach and Resiliency – March 6 HRSA Funding One Provider: Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals – March 7 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome – March 8 Comments Requested: Proposed Updates for Interoperability – March 13 Delta States Rural Development Network Grant Program – March 22 FCC Rural Health Care Telecommunications Program – April 1 Ongoing Opportunities CDC Monkeypox Vaccine Equity Pilot Program 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 USDA Emergency Rural Health Care Grants (Track One only) – September 2023 or until funds run out ACF Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program ACF Rural Community Development Program for Rural Water Systems AgriSafe Mental Health Training for Agricultural Producers & Families AgriSafe Nurse Scholar Program – March 2023 AHRQ Health Services Research Demonstration and Dissemination Grants – October 2023 American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) Foundation - Accreditation Grants American Heart Association Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator American Indian Public Health Resource Center Technical Assistance Appalachian Regional Commission J-1 Visa Waivers for Doctors 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 Delta Doctors J-1 Visa Waiver 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 Distressed Cities and Persistent Poverty Technical Assistance Program 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 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 Social, Behavioral, and Economic Impact of COVID-19 in Underserved/Vulnerable Populations – 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 Oweesta Native CDFI Loan Funds and Technical Assistance Primary Care Development Corporation Community Investment Loans Rural Community Assistance Corporation Community Facility Loans for Western States and Pacific Islands Rural Community Assistance Corporation Environmental Infrastructure Loans for Western States 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 United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc Tribal Health Program Support 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 and Loan Guarantees USDA Funding for Rural Water and Waste Disposal Projects USDA Water and Waste Disposal Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands and Colonias USDOT Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S) WWAMI Area Health Education Center Scholars Program | 
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