Register Now for AAP Obesity ECHO Training

December 31, 2024

Register Now for AAP Obesity ECHO Training

Starting in January, the American Academy of Pediatrics Obesity ECHO will serve as a forum for primary care providers and others who care for pediatric patients to increase their knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy to effectively identify and provide best practice care around obesity to pediatric patients and their families.

Additionally, the National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA) Rural Obesity and Chronic Disease Initiative aims to diminish stigma by championing policies and programs that improve the long-term health of rural residents.

The ECHO will run from January 2025 to July 2025 with sessions held twice a month on Tuesdays from 12 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT, with a kickoff session in January:

  • January 28, 2025: Kickoff session
  • February 11, 2025
  • February 25, 2025
  • March 11,2025
  • March 25, 2025
  • April 8, 2025
  • April 22, 2025
  • May 6, 2025
  • May 20, 2025
  • June 10, 2025
  • June 24, 2025
  • July 8, 2025
  • July 22, 2025

Contact Oyin Oloniniyi at ooloniniy@aap.org with any questions.

Click Here to Register

2025 Rural Health Awards Nominations Now Open

December 31, 2024

2025 Rural Health Awards Nominations Now Open

Each year the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) honors outstanding individuals and organizations in the field of rural health who have dedicated their time and talents to improving the health and well-being of others. Previous recipients have stretched the boundaries of possibility by forging innovative programs and services, making rural life healthier and more compassionate.

Consider nominating your favorite rural health individual, program or organization so that they may be honored nationally for their contributions to rural health.

Click here to nominate an organization or program

Click here to nominate an individual

New JRH Articles on Medicaid Expansion’s Racial Impact, More

December 31, 2024

New JRH Articles on Medicaid Expansion’s Racial Impact, More

The latest issue of the National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA’s) Journal of Rural Health (JRH) is now available online featuring original articles and research on topics including:

  • The role of digital technology in rural health research;
  • Associations between COVID-19 therapies and outcomes in rural and urban America;
  • Barriers to participation in clinical trials of rural older adult cancer survivors;
  • The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban and rural hospital profitability;
  • The uneven impact of Medicaid expansion by race in rural and urban areas; and much more.

Click Here to Read NRHA Journal of Rural Health

Stroudwater Releases Physician Compensation Survey Results

December 31, 2024

Stroudwater Releases Physician Compensation Survey Results

The 2024 Rural Provider Compensation Report by Stroudwater Associates Principal Opal H. Greenway in partnership with the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) offers critical insights to help rural hospitals address these issues thoughtfully and strategically.

This report reflects input from 199 organizations across 42 states, representing more than 2,800 providers. The data highlights areas where rural hospitals must adapt to remain competitive and sustainable.

Click Here to Access the Full Report

Click Here to Sign up to Participate Next Year

Article: Why Hospital Violence is a Public Health Emergency

December 31, 2024

Article: Why Hospital Violence is a Public Health Emergency

A distressing 80 percent of emergency room doctors say violence has impacted patient care and safety where they work. Half of emergency physicians note they have witnessed harm to patients in the emergency department, and 47 percent report they themselves have been assaulted at work.

Since the pandemic, 44 percent of nurses report an increase in physical violence and 68 percent report an increase in verbal abuse. Additionally, health care violence prevention expert Kimberly Urbanek recently discussed ways to reduce violence, protect workers, and empower staff.

Click Here to Read Article: Hospital Workplace Violence is a Public Health Emergency

Click Here to Read Article: Taking a Proactive Approach to Reducing Violence in Healthcare

CMS 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Final Rule Summary

December 31, 2024

CMS 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Final Rule Summary

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that updates payment policies and Medicare payment rates for services provided by physicians and nonphysician practitioners (NPPs) that are paid under the PFS in CY 2025. These changes apply to services provided in 2025.

Click Here to Read Summary

Click Here to Read Billing for Telehealth

Click Here to Read Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule

Telehealth Policy Update

December 31, 2024

Telehealth Policy Update

Recent legislation authorized an extension of many of the Medicare telehealth flexibilities. This includes:

  • Waiving geographic and originating site requirements through March 31, 2025.
  • Expanding practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services through March 31,2025.
  • Allowing Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) to serve as distant site providers through March 31, 2025.
  • For 2025 and 2026, FQHCs and RHCs will be paid for telehealth services under the FQHC prospective payment system or the RHC all-inclusive rates, respectively.
  • Delaying the in-person requirements for tele-mental health services through April 1, 2025.
  • Allowing audio-only telehealth through March 31, 2025.

Click Here to Read More

Notice of Funding Opportunity: RCORP Overdose Response, HRSA-25-010

December 31, 2024

Notice of Funding Opportunity: RCORP Overdose Response, HRSA-25-010

The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) – Overdose Response is a one-year program supporting improved health care in rural areas by addressing their immediate and short-term needs related to provision of substance use disorder services. RCORP – Overdose Response aims to reduce and prevent the risk of overdoses in rural areas. HRSA will make approximately 20 awards of up to $300,000 each.

The RCORP – Overdose Response Program will support specific, short-term substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery activities, as well as work related to capacity building, supportive services, and special populations.

RCORP Overdose Response funds MUST ONLY be used to support activities from the list of allowable activities described in the HRSA-25-010-Full Announcement document located Here.

Eligible organizations include all domestic public or private, non-profit, or for-profit entities.

The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) will hold a webinar for applicants on Thursday January 30, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Click Here to Read Full Announcement and Apply

For more information about this funding opportunity, contact the Program Coordinator, Diana Wang, at ruralopioidresponse@hrsa.gov.

New Funding Opportunity: FY 25 Delta Health Systems Implementation Program (DSIP), Apply by March 20

December 31, 2024

New Funding Opportunity: FY 25 Delta Health Systems Implementation Program (DSIP), Apply by March 20

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA’s) Federal Office of Rural Health Policy’s (FORHP’s) Delta Health System’s Implementation Program (DSIP) funding opportunity for FY25 is open and accepting applications – HRSA-25-032 for the program’s two-year period of performance (September 1, 2025-August 31, 2027).

HRSA expects to award five rural healthcare organizations, up to $400,000 each, to enhance healthcare delivery in rural areas by implementing projects that will improve financial sustainability and increase access to care.

Eligible applicants include:

  • Critical access hospitals
  • Small rural hospitals
  • Rural health clinics
  • Tribal healthcare facilities, and
  • other healthcare organizations located in a rural county or parish in the Delta region.

Applicants must propose projects based on recommendations received from previous technical assistance (TA) provided through the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program or another similar TA program within the last five years.

Examples of implementation projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Financial and Operational:
    • Developing new service lines,
    • Increasing inpatient and swing bed volume,
    • Increasing outpatient services,
    • Implementing revenue cycle best practices to increase point of service collections, and
    • Optimizing emergency department operations.
  • Quality:
    • Reducing readmissions,
    • Improving transitions of care and discharge planning,
    • Implementing performance measurement systems,
    • Clinical documentation integrity training, and
    • Utilizing data analytics.
  • Telehealth:
    • Expanding telehealth services and enhancing cybersecurity.
  • Workforce:
    • Recruitment initiatives,
    • Implementing new technology to increase clinical efficiency,
    • Simulation training for clinicians, and
    • Leadership training such as rounding to improve patient and employee satisfaction.

Applications Due by March 20, 2025

A technical assistance webinar via Zoom will be held for applicants on Wednesday, January 8, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern.

Interested applicants should start registrations in grants.gov and sam.gov ASAP.

Click Here to See Full Details

For more information about this funding opportunity, contact the Program Coordinator, Suzanne Snyder, at RuralHospitals@hrsa.gov.

 

Webinar Recording Available for Viewing: Addressing the Intersection of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Substance Use in Maternal Health Care

December 31, 2024

Webinar Recording Available for Viewing: Addressing the Intersection of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Substance Use in Maternal Health Care

View the recorded webinar to learn about the National Strategy to Improve Maternal Mental Health Care, as well as the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women’s Health (OWH) initiatives that are integrating prevention and care for IPV, substance use, and maternal health.

This webinar featured speakers from HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureaus and HHS OWH.

Click Here to View Recorded Webinar