| Read this online. July 20, 2023 What's New Updated State Timelines for Initiating Medicaid and CHIP Renewals. In January, we shared news about Medicaid Unwinding, the state-level change process for public health insurance enrollment brought by the official end of the pandemic. On June 30, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted an updated version of the Anticipated 2023 State Timelines for Initiating Unwinding-Related Renewals as of June 29, 2023. This chart outlines state renewal timelines and distribution plans, including for individuals that states have preliminarily identified as likely ineligible for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. You can find this chart under the Planning Tools & Templates section on the resource linked in the headline. New data released in May of this year show the stakes are especially high for children and families in rural and small towns. KFF Examines Federal Policy for SUD Treatment. A new analysis from health policy researchers at the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) gives an overview of five federal policies for substance use disorder (SUD) and the ways they changed during the pandemic. The report covers regulations related to buprenorphine medication, methadone dispensing programs, Medicaid for SUD treatment in prisons, and how state laws may limit federal efforts. An action taken by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration in 2021 was cited as potentially beneficial to rural areas because it would allow mobile units for accredited opioid treatment programs; the adoption of this initiative has been somewhat limited with 27 mobile treatment programs registered across 13 states. CRS Reports on Federal Programs for Broadband. In it's latest report on federal policy and spending, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) provides an overview of the Federal Communications Commission's Universal Service Fund (USF) and its four programs: the High Cost Program, Lifeline Program, Rural Health Care Program, and Schools and Libraries Program. The report describes legislation introduced in the 118th Congress that would impact the USF programs and outlines considerations for possible reform. According to recent research from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, between 22.3 percent and 50 percent of all Americans living in rural areas have poor access to broadband. Early Financial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on U.S. Hospitals. Researchers obtained data from Medicare Cost Reports, the American Hospital Association Annual Survey Database, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to analyze how hospital profitability changed during the first year of the pandemic. The report presents data by hospital characteristics, including size and Critical Access Hospital status, and compares findings from urban and rural hospitals. Partnership for Quality Management (PQM) Seeks Rural Health Experts for Committees – Submit Nominations by July 30. As previously mentioned in this newsletter, new committees are being formed by Battelle, as contracted by CMS, to make recommendations on health care quality measurement. Rural health experts are sought for all PQM committees (on the nomination form, one can check a box as a "rural health expert"). More information on PQM can be found here: Get Involved | Partnership for Quality Measurement (p4qm.org). Nominations for all committees have a deadline of July 30. Ongoing: Updates to Requirements for Buprenorphine Prescribing. As announced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in January 2023, clinicians no longer need a federal waiver to prescribe buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder. Clinicians will still be required to register with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to prescribe controlled medications. Beginning on June 27, the DEA registration will require applicants – both new and renewing – to affirm they have completed a new, one-time, eight-hour training. Exceptions for the new training requirement are practitioners who are board certified in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry, and those who graduated from a medical, dental, physician assistant, or advanced practice nursing school in the U.S. within five years of June 27, 2023. Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) still have the opportunity to apply for a $3,000 payment on behalf of each provider who trained between January 1, 2019 and January 25, 2023 (when Congress eliminated the waiver requirement). Approximately $900,000 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. COVID-19 Resources Provider Relief Fund Reporting Period 5. The Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal is open from July 1 to September 30, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Providers who received one or more PRF (General or Targeted) and/or American Rescue Plan Rural payments exceeding $10,000, in the aggregate, from January 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022 must report on their use of funds during Reporting Period 5 to comply with PRF Reporting Requirements. More information and resources can be found on the PRF Reporting webpage. 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 through the CARES Act by the Federation of State Medical Boards and HRSA's Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. 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. Funding and Opportunities Appalachian Community Fund Technical Assistance Grants – Ongoing. The regional nonprofit provides grants to help with specific needs of community-based organizations that address underlying causes of the economic and social distress of the region. Technical Assistance grants are designed to build organizational capacity and to help train board members and/or staff in organization building skills such as leadership development, fundraising, and long-range planning. USDA National School Lunch Afterschool Snack Program – Ongoing. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides cash subsidies for each snack served in schools that take part in the program. In return, schools must serve snacks that meet federal requirements, and they must offer free or reduced price snacks to eligible children. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. USDA Water Infrastructure Grants for 2022 Disaster Areas – Ongoing While Funds Last. The Rural Utilities Services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awards funds for expenses related to water infrastructure in areas that were impacted by events recognized as presidentially declared disasters during calendar year 2022. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. Comments Requested: Proposals to Update Medicare Outpatient Payments and Other Policies – Comments due September 11. In this proposed rule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposes several updates to the Medicare payment rates for hospital outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center services for calendar year 2024. In addition, this rule seeks public input on a starter set of four quality measures for the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Quality Reporting Program. It also proposes to create an Intensive Outpatient Program for psychiatric services provided in outpatient departments, federally qualified health centers, and Rural Health Clinics. There are also proposed modifications to the price transparency requirements and a proposal on how to pay Indian Health Service facilities that convert to be REHs. Comments Requested: Proposals to Update Medicare Clinician Payment and Other Policies – Comments due September 11. Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule for Calendar Year 2024 with comments due September 11. Rural-relevant updates include changes to behavioral health including in the federally qualified health center and Rural Health Clinic settings, telehealth, services addressing health-related social needs, and the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Learning Events and Technical Assistance Analyzing State Laws Regulating Incentives for Health Behavior – Wednesday, July 26 at 12:00 pm ET. This presentation will describe the results of a qualitative study examining state laws regulating incentives for health behavior. Such laws may have important implications for provision of contingency management for substance use disorder, including in rural areas. The session is hosted by the FORHP-supported Center on Rural Addiction at the University of Vermont. Improving Behavioral Health Services in Rural Communities through Medicaid – Wednesday, July 26 at 3:00 pm ET. The National Academy for State Health Policy hosts a one-hour session to explore effective use of Medicaid funding for rural residents. HRSA's Maternal Health Webinar Series – Wednesday, July 26 at 4:00 pm ET. Regions 5 and 7 of HRSA's Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs will host two local grantees of the Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies program. Approaching Deadlines HRSA Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program – July 20 DRA Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy – July 26 DHS Rural Emergency Medical Communications Demonstration Project – July 28 HHS Seeks Input on Smoking Cessation Framework Draft – July 30 Comments Requested: New Partnership for Quality Measurement – Extended to July 30 Partnership for Quality Management (PQM) Seeks Rural Health Experts for Committees – July 30 ACF Alaska Native Tribal Resource Center on Domestic Violence – July 31 GAO Calls for HIT Advisory Nominations – July 31 Hardship Exceptions for Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program – July 31 Nominations for GAO Health Information Technology Advisory Committee – July 31 VA Grants for Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas – July 31 HHS Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity – August 1 EPA Brownfields Job Training Grants – August 2 CDC Foundation Seeking Community Data for Overdose Prevention – August 4 DOJ Grants to Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions – August 4 ACL Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative – States and Community Grants – August 7 Department of Education Full-Service Community Schools Program – August 8 ACF Culturally Specific Family Violence Prevention – August 11 National Medical Fellowships Health Equity Leaders – August 11 Berkley Rural Public Health Master's Program – August 13 Dept of Transportation Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program – August 14 CMS Seeking Researchers for Health Data Access Program – August 15 Comments Requested: ACL Updates Older Americans Act – August 15 Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project – August 15 DOT Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Programs – INFRA Grants – August 21 Comments Requested: CMS Updates Policy for End Stage Renal Disease – August 25 USDA Grants for Education and Research at 1890 Land-Grant Institutions – August 30 EPA Community-Based Research to Mitigate Environmental Health Disparities – August 31 USDA Emergency Rural Health Care Grants (Track One only) – September 2023 or until funds run out Comments Requested: Remedy for 340B Medicare Drug Payment Policy – September 5 NIH Research to Improve Native American Health (AIDS Related) – September 7 NIH Tobacco Control Policies to Promote Health Equity – September 8 Comments Requested: Proposals to Update Medicare Outpatient Payments and Other Policies – September 11 Comments Requested: Proposals to Update Medicare Clinician Payment and Other Policies – September 11 NRHA Rural Health Fellows Program – September 14 EPA Solar for All Competition – September 26 AHRQ Health Services Research Demonstration and Dissemination Grants – October 1 NIH Assessing Real-World Effectiveness of Telehealth Guided Provider-to-Provider Communication in Rural Communities – October 5 UMMC Caregiver University for Alzheimer's Support – Quarterly deadlines until October 10 American Psychological Foundation Grant for Rural First Responders Mental Health Interventions – October 15 NIH Pilot Interventions to Integrate Social Care and Medical Care for Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases – October 19 NIH Researching Social Networks to Promote Behavior Change – November 3 Ongoing Opportunities HRSA Needs Rural Reviewers for Grant Applications Economic Development Administration Public Works/Economic Assistance Program (CARES Act Funding) Extended Public Comment Period for FCC's COVID-19 Telehealth Program FCC Affordable Connectivity Program for Broadband Service SAMHSA 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Volunteer and Job Opportunities USDA Water Infrastructure Grants for 2022 Disaster Areas – Ongoing while funds last ACF Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program ACF Rural Community Development Program for Rural Water Systems Addiction Policy Forum: Sites for Anti-Stigma Pilot AgriSafe Mental Health Training for Agricultural Producers & Families 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 AmeriCorps American Connection Corps for Broadband in Rural Areas Appalachian Community Fund Technical Assistance Grants 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 CORH Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Program Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program Delta Regional Authority Community Infrastructure Fund Delta Doctors J-1 Visa Waiver Program Department of Commerce: Economic Development Assistance Programs DRA Technical Assistance for Delta Region Community Health Systems Development EPA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund EPA Water Infrastructure and Innovation Act 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 National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence Technical Assistance Native Americans into Medicine Host Sites for National Environmental Public Health Internship NIH Addressing the Impact of Structural Racism and Discrimination – Various dates until October 2025 NIH Native American Research Centers for Health – Various dates until July 2026 NIH Project Talk Initiative Host Site Applications 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 NIH Researching Barriers to Care for HIV-Associated Comorbidities – May 2025 NIH Research to Address Vaccine Hesitancy in Health Disparity Populations – June 2026 Nominations for Federal Advisory Commission on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases NRHA Chief Nursing Officer Certification Program for Rural Hospitals 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 RTT Collaborative: Rural Training Track Directors University RWJF Investigator-Initiated Research to Build a Culture of Health RWJF Pioneering Ideas Brief Proposals SAMHSA Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program for Communities Post-Disaster 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 Intermediary Relending Program USDA Multifamily Housing Loan Guarantees USDA National School Lunch Afterschool Snack 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) Veterans Affairs Health Professional Scholarship Program Veterans Affairs Virtual Living Room - Using Technology to Address the Critical Healthcare Needs of Veterans in Rural Areas WWAMI Area Health Education Center Scholars Program | 
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