January 12, 2022 What's New Ending Sunday: Open Enrollment for 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. New Awards to Train Doctors in Underserved Areas. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded the first round of Medicare-funded residency slots to 100 teaching hospitals across 30 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, effective July 1, 2023. The graduate medical education slots prioritize hospitals located in Health Professional Shortage Areas, and the majority are allocated for primary care – including obstetrics/gynecology – and mental health specialties. CMS is set to create 200 new positions every year over the next five years. The application period for the second round of 200 residency slots will open in January 2023 and close on March 31, 2023. Finding Doctors Offering Medicare-Paid Telehealth. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) added a telehealth indicator on Medicare Care Compare, the site that allows consumers to search for doctors, clinicians, groups, and facilities accepting Medicare beneficiaries. Last year, CMS reported a 30-fold increase in telehealth services. The new indicator helps beneficiaries and caregivers more easily find clinicians who provide telehealth services. Extended: HHS Seeks Feedback on Tribal Consultation Policy – New Deadline, January 27. HHS extended the deadline for submitting comments on the updated draft HHS Tribal Consultation Policy to January 27, 2023. The updated draft addresses comments and recommendations received during the first round of consultation in spring 2021, as well as the input of the Secretary's Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) Tribal Consultation Policy Workgroup. Comments on the updated draft may be submitted to consultation@hhs.gov. Please see the Dear Tribal Leader Letter, linked above, outlining the major recommendations and changes in the updated draft. Also, please see the clean and redline version of the updated draft to facilitate the commenting process. Is Being There Enough? Postgraduate Nurse Practitioner Residencies in Rural Primary Care. Researchers interviewed administrators and participants in 20 rural nurse practitioner residency programs to determine the effect of federal- and state-based programs on rural placement post-training. Though nurse practitioners make up one quarter of the rural primary care workforce, few studies have investigated factors supporting their transition from training to practice. HHS Renews Public Health Emergency for Another 90 Days. On January 11, HHS extended the current Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration for another 90 days. The extension of the PHE means the continuation of flexibilities for health care providers, such as the COVID Waivers issued by CMS. 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 (PRF) Reporting Portal – Report by March 31 for RP4. The PRF Reporting Portal is 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 PRF reporting-related resources, visit the PRF Reporting Resources Page. **NEW: Phase 4 and ARP Rural Payment Reconsiderations Deadline: Providers who believe their Phase 4 and/or ARP Rural payment was calculated incorrectly have an opportunity to submit a payment reconsideration request by February 21, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET. All providers have had at least 45 days from the date of their Phase 4 and/or ARP Rural payment determination notification to submit a reconsideration request. The February 21 deadline reflects the final opportunity to submit a request. For more information visit the Payment Reconsideration webpage. Updated Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccines. In December, 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 AmeriCorps Seniors Workforce Development Demonstration – February 1. The federal agency that matches volunteers with projects for economic and social development at the community level will support projects to help older adults, aged 55+, secure employment in professional, skilled labor, or para-professional careers. Priority will be given to proposals that provide training and/or certification for employment along with support such as mentorship, coaching, and transportation. A Public Health Careers Track of the program is intended to address immediate needs that align with the Public Health AmeriCorps. HRSA Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program – February 23. Registered nurses and nurse faculty members may be eligible to have up to 85 percent of unpaid nursing education debt covered in exchange for a two year commitment of service. Eligibility requirements include holding a current license to serve in a Health Professional Shortage Area, or working full time as a faculty member at an eligible school of nursing. CDC Advancing Health Equity for Priority Populations with or at Risk for Diabetes – March 7. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will invest $82 million for approximately 77 awards. Applications should specify one of three components of the program: A) statewide awards, B) targeted projects in high need counties, or C) partnership networks. Nonmetropolitan counties make up two-thirds of the high need counties disproportionately impacted by diabetes for this funding opportunity. Applicants for the high need counties (component B) must establish partnerships with community-based organizations in their selected counties and must propose a service area of at least 350,000 people, which can include multiple counties. Applicant eligibility is unrestricted and open to any organization that meets the NOFO requirements. Rural organizations could be lead applicants or partner with a lead applicant to improve diabetes management and prevention in their communities. Administration for Native Americans – Social and Economic Development Strategies Program – March 31. This division within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) expects to award 30 projects up to $400,000 per year to promote economic and social self-sufficiency for Native American communities. The ACF provides free training and technical assistance to applicants for this and other grant programs from the Administration for Native Americans. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. CMS Efforts to Improve Access to Specialty Care. Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new guidance to clarify that state Medicaid and CHIP programs will be able to pay specialists directly when a beneficiary's primary health care provider asks for advice. The aim is to help improve access to specialty care, particularly mental health care services. Citing FORHP-supported research, CMS notes that, "Rural areas face the most significant provider shortage challenges; more than 60 percent of nonmetropolitan counties do not have a psychiatrist and almost half of nonmetropolitan counties do not have a psychologist." Up to now, providers referring a patient to specialty care were required to coordinate payment through separate agreements with the treating practitioner. The new policy gives state-level Medicaid and CHIP agencies the flexibility to reimburse consulting practitioners directly. Importantly, these consultations can occur when the beneficiary is not physically present. To be covered under Medicaid or CHIP, both the treating practitioner and the consulting practitioner must be enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. For consultations that cross state lines, consulting practitioners must be an enrolled Medicaid or CHIP provider in the state in which the beneficiary resides. For more information, see the State Health Official Letter available on Medicaid.gov. Learning Events and Technical Assistance Application Assistance for HRSA Ryan White HIV/AIDS Funding – Thursday, January 12 at 2:00 pm ET. Program staff will hold a two-hour technical assistance session for the program that increases access to high-quality HIV primary health care services. The application deadline is February 17. Attendees without computer access or computer audio can use the dial-in information below. Call-In Number: 833-568-8864; Meeting ID: 160 877 4507; Passcode: 77212471. HRSA will record the webinar and make available on the TargetHIV Center website at https://targethiv.org/library/nofos. White House Rural Partners Call – Thursday, January 12 at 3:00 pm ET. On this week's call, the Office of Public Engagement will be joined USDA's Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux and Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator Dr. Karama Neal who will share an overview of their recent announcements on their work to assist producers facing high input costs, improving risk protection for underserved producers, investing in meat processing capacity for livestock producers, and providing relief for producers impacted by disaster and the pandemic. Long COVID & Fatiguing Illness Recovery Program – Thursday, January 12 at 3:00 pm ET. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fund this monthly webinar-style ECHO learning session to rapidly disseminate Post-COVID Conditions (PCC) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) findings and emerging best practices. The series offers didactic presentations by subject matter experts, examples of emerging best practices and models of care, and a facilitated Q&A. This program is intended primarily for providers who care for patients with PCC and ME/CFS but is open to all healthcare professionals and all Long COVID and ME/CFS patient-lived experience experts interested in learning more about the treatment of Long COVID and ME/CFS. Celebrate Build Healthy Places 10 Year Anniversary – Thursday, January 12 at 3:00 pm ET. The national nonprofit Build Healthy Places Network (BHPN) celebrates a decade of helping to form investment partnerships between community economic development and health. Last year, BHPN created a Playbook for New Rural Healthcare Partnership Models of Investments, featuring case studies from all over the country highlighting core strategies used by rural health care entities as examples for future multi-sector partnerships to follow. Orientation to Rural Emergency Hospital Conversion – Wednesday, January 18 at 12:30 pm ET. Attendees of this 90-minute session will learn about this new Medicare provider designation. 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. Affordable Housing and Recovery: Rural Resource Guide Launch – Wednesday, January 18 at 2:00 pm ET. The national nonprofit Housing Assistance Council focuses on federally assisted housing opportunities for residents of rural areas in recovery from substance use disorders. Supporting the Health and Well-Being of Rural LGBTQ Adults – Wednesday, January 18 at 2:00 pm ET. During this hour-long webinar, researchers will describe rural/urban differences in health and access to care, including differences in self-rated health, chronic conditions, and mental health outcomes. The work comes from the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center, one of nine centers currently publishing work on the FORHP-supported Rural Health Research Gateway. NACRHHS Update: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Integration of Behavioral Health and Primary Care Services – Tuesday, January 24 at 1:00 pm ET. During the 90th meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health & Human Services (NACRHHS), members explored two topics of importance to rural areas. The first was access to emergency medical services (EMS) in rural areas. The second was the integration of behavioral health and primary care services. This 75-minute webinar will highlight the rural context related to these to topics, and a discussion of the policy brief and recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Learn About the Women's Preventive Services Initiative – Tuesday, January 24 at 3:00 pm ET. HRSA is joined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to host a 90-minute webinar to introduce the Women's Preventive Services Initiative, a new federally-funded program. For more information about the webinar, contact HRSA's Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs at regionix@hrsa.gov. Early Bird Registration for Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Summit – Ends January 27. The agenda for the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center (MATRC) 2023 Summit includes telehealth inequities and telebehavioral health. Whether attending online or in-person in Norfolk, VA, early bird registration ends January 27 for the event taking place March 15-17. The MATRC is one of 12 HRSA-supported Telehealth Resource Centers. Resource of the Week Pathways to Prevention Workshop: Improving Rural Health Through Telehealth-Guided Provider-to-Provider Communication. The National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Health Resources and Services Administration hosted a workshop to find and fill research gaps on the use of provider-to-provider telehealth to improve health outcomes in rural areas. Here, you'll find the panel's final report and recommendations. Approaching Deadlines 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 Comments Requested: Revised Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Criteria – January 20 Clinic Applications for ALAI UP - HIV Treatment for Underserved Populations – January 20 Requesting Nominations: Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality – January 23 EPA Training and Technical Assistance for Small Public Water Systems – January 26 Extended: HHS Seeks Feedback on Tribal Consultation Policy – January 27 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 AmeriCorps Seniors Workforce Development Demonstration – February 1 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 HRSA Maternal and Child Health Secondary Data Analysis Research – February 13 Comments Requested: Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D Updates – February 13 Comments Requested: Proposed Updates to Expand Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment – February 14 EPA Grants Supporting Technical Assistance for Brownfields Communities – 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 HRSA Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program – February 23 USDA Rural Business Development Grants – February 28 USDA Emergency Food Assistance Program – Reach and Resiliency – March 6 CDC Advancing Health Equity for Priority Populations with or at Risk for Diabetes – March 7 HRSA Funding One Provider: Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals – March 7 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response - Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome – March 8 Comments Requested: Proposed Updates for Interoperability – March 13 Delta States Rural Development Network Grant Program – March 22 Administration for Native Americans – Social/Economic Development Strategies – March 31 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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