Category: Current Affairs

USDA to Create Plan to Expand Recreation Economies and Help People Thrive Across Rural America

January 20, 2023

USDA to Create Plan to Expand Recreation Economies and Help People Thrive Across Rural America

Rural Development, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and U.S. Forest Service Partner to Create New Tools and Resources

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)  announced that it will create a plan to expand recreation economies to help people thrive across rural America.

Through a Memorandum of Understanding, USDA Rural Development, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the U.S. Forest Service will partner to develop an annual plan to expand economic opportunities related to recreation in communities surrounding America’s national forests.

The annual plan will outline the ways the agencies will partner to conduct program outreach, host informational sessions and workshops, and develop toolkits to help people access the resources they need to thrive in recreation economies.

To learn more, read the full Stakeholder Announcement.

USDA Seeks Applications to Improve Rural Transportation Systems, Opening the Door to Economic Opportunities for People Living in Rural Communities

January 19, 2023

USDA Seeks Applications to Improve Rural Transportation Systems, Opening the Door to Economic Opportunities for People Living in Rural Communities

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is accepting applications to enhance the operation of rural transportation systems. These investments in rural transportation systems build opportunities and prosperity for the people who live in rural communities by connecting them to economic resources they may not otherwise be able to access.

The grants are part of the Rural Business Development Grant program. Eligible applicants are qualified, experienced national organizations seeking to provide rural communities with training and technical assistance to improve passenger transportation services and facilities. USDA does not provide funding directly to individuals or businesses under this program.

USDA is offering priority points to projects that advance key priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration to help communities create more and better market opportunities, advance equity and combat climate change. These extra points will increase the likelihood of funding. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points.

Applications will be scored, reviewed and selected on a competitive basis. Applications must be submitted to the applicant’s nearest USDA office by April 19, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. local time. Additional information is available on page 3376 of the Jan. 19, 2023, Federal Register.

To learn more, read the full Stakeholder Announcement.

NRHA Webinar – Nursing Labor Update: View from the Mountaintops

January 19, 2023

NRHA Webinar – Nursing Labor Update: View from the Mountaintops

Wednesday, Feb 2, 1:00 – 2:00 pm CST

Michelle Hehman, MSN, RN, 15+ years of acute hospital experience and former nurse manager of Emergency Services, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and Jessica Flege, BSN, RN, CMSRN, 10 years of acute care management and certified Medical Surgical Nurse, will discuss the trajectory of the nursing industry and the impact that it is expected to have on staffing, as well as insight into how flexible staffing solutions can help to maintain optimal nurse-patient ratios.

Learning objectives:

  • An overview of the U.S. Nursing workforce, impactful milestones, and the ‘Silver Tsunami’
  • The devastating effects that short staffing has on every hospital
  • Sustainable solutions for delivering optimal nurse staffing
  • How rural hospitals can benefit from flexible staffing solutions

Click Here to Register

NRHA Webinar – Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare, a Transitional Care Model

January 19, 2023

NRHA Webinar – Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare, a Transitional Care Model

Thursday, Feb 16, 1:00 – 2:00 pm CST

Allevant, a joint venture between Mayo Clinic and Select Medical, helps Critical Access Hospitals by developing post-acute Transitional Care programs using available Swing Beds. Focused on helping patients transition to their highest level of independence, Transitional Care is a program that involves the patient and family, makes available the full resources of the Critical Access Hospital and focuses on measured outcomes and evidence-based processes to ensure patients get the best care possible.

Allevant has supported approximately 100 Critical Access Hospitals across 22 states including both independent and part of health systems. Our clients have cared for over 12,000 patients representing more than 158,000 swing bed days.

With a strong focus on quality, outcomes, and growth, our clients saw an average growth in swing bed days of 55% by the second year. 64% of patients were categorized as complex medical or complex surgical which is a growing patient population, and only 7% of Transitional Care patients were discharged directly back to acute care during a program stay of less than 30 days. 76% of patients were discharged from Transitional Care back to independence. The average patient rating was 4.83 out of 5 when asked if patients would “recommend the program to others”.

Learn more at www.Allevant.com

Click Here to Register

NRHA Webinar – How Rural Providers Can Stay Profitable, Sustainable, and Mitigate Risk Through Accountable Care

January 19, 2023

NRHA Webinar – How Rural Providers Can Stay Profitable, Sustainable, and Mitigate Risk Through Accountable Care

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2:00 – 3:00 pm CST

Rural providers in the ACO Investment Model (AIM) saved Medicare over $382 million in just three years. ACOs can be a viable business model to help rural providers meet financial goals and create healthier communities. In this session, hear directly from Tim Putnam, President of Rural Health Consulting, Medical University of South Carolina, Kathy Lee, Director of Population Health, Coryell Memorial Hospital, and Steve Barnett, President & CEO, McKenzie Health System about successes and best practices of thriving in accountable care.

Learning objectives:

  • Review requirements and benefits of the Medicare Shared Savings Program.
  • Demonstrate the value of ACO collaboration coupled with a population health methodology to reduce physician burnout, generate new population health revenue streams, and reduce costs.
  • Understand the value of ACO data and workflows to more than double 340B net discounts.

Click Here to Register

Registration Now Open: National Rural EMS & Care Conference 2023

January 19, 2023

Registration Now Open: National Rural EMS & Care Virtual Conference 2023

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, the National Association of State EMS Officials, and the Joint Committee on Rural Emergency Care invite you to join them on April 18-20, 2023, for the 8th annual National Rural EMS & Care Conference!

Register today for this one-of-a-kind virtual conference that brings together rural EMS stakeholders from across the country.

 Registration deadline is April 13, 2023

Visit the Conference web page for additional details as they become available. Please feel free to share this information with your partners, providers, or other interested parties.

If you have questions about the conference, please contact Caroline Wroczynski, NOSORH Education Manager, at carolinew@nosorh.org

Click to Register

National Rural Health Resource Center – Podcast Series – Stepping Up: Health Equity in Rural Hospitals Podcast Series

January 18, 2023

National Rural Health Resource Center – Podcast Series – Stepping Up: Health Equity in Rural Hospitals Podcast Series

This four-part podcast series brings together a variety of voices to elaborate on the steps rural hospitals can take to implement sustainable health equity programs and efforts.

Series Objectives:

  1. Understand the importance of and learn tips for establishing an internal diversity, equity, and inclusion culture.
  2. Identify and cultivate diversity, equity, and inclusion leaders within the organization and community.
  3. Understand the importance of data for identifying and addressing disparities and hear best practices for collecting and using information.

Recall and utilize examples of successful efforts and appropriate data in rural community health equity programs and initiatives

View the Series Playlist and Start Listening Now

RHPTP – Webinar – Making the ACO Decision

January 18, 2023

RHPTP – Webinar – Making the ACO Decision

Making the ACO Decision: How to Select an ACO

Date: March 15, 2023

Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM Central Time

Speaker: Ralph Llewellyn, Eide Bailly LLP

The decision to engage in the ACO movement is a significant one. The first decision is the overall decision to join and embrace the ACO model. As is the case in all major decisions, one needs to ensure the organization understands and embraces the goals and vision of an ACO. The next decision is related to selecting which ACO to participate in. There are large ACOs and there are smaller ACOs. Some are regional while others are national in scope. This session will explore the question of how to select an ACO that is right for an organization.

Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Identify variables to be considered when choosing an ACO
  • Compare the various financial models offered by ACOs
  • Recognize suitable questions to ask prior to joining an ACO

Register Here

RHPTP – Webinar Health System Support for Rural Value-Based Care

January 18, 2023

RHPTP – Webinar Health System Support for Rural Value-Based Care

Health System Support for Rural Value-Based Care

 

Date: February 15, 2023

Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM Central Time

Speaker: Clint MacKinney, MD

This presentation follows the Value-Based Care is Here: Let’s Learn About it webinar. The rural journey from volume to value need not be made alone. Health system affiliations (current or in the future) should advance rural healthcare organizations’ value-based care capacity, and thus future success. In this webinar, Dr. MacKinney will provide a brief overview of healthcare affiliations today. He will then discuss findings from his recent health system interviews that explored the health systems’ role in facilitating rural value-based care success. Finally, Dr. MacKinney will outline what rural value-based care support healthcare organizations should expect from health systems.

Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to: 

  • Recognize rural healthcare organizations’ future in health system value-based care initiatives
  • Understand what support health systems should provide to rural healthcare organizations transitioning from volume to value
  • Make wiser affiliation decisions based on health system support for value-based care

Register Here

This event meets the requirement for one ACHE qualified education credit.

RHPTP – Webinar Value-Based Care is Here – Let’s Learn about it

January 18, 2023

Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project (RHPTP) – Webinar Value-Based Care is Here – Let’s Learn about it

Value-Based Care is Here – Let’s learn about it!

Date: January 18, 2023

Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM Central Time

Speaker: Clint MacKinney, MD

In this session, Dr. MacKinney will propose that value-based care advances the Triple Aim- better care, improved health, and smarter spending. He will discuss the basics of value-based care and value-based payment using a predominant example – accountable care organizations. Dr. MacKinney will emphasize the importance of robust primary care, such as provided in patient-centered health homes, to deliver value-based care. Finally, Dr. MacKinney will offer suggestions for rural health care organizations to start their journey to value-based care.

Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the origins of, and rationale for, value-based care and value-based payment
  • Appreciate the importance of robust primary care to advance value-based care
  • Consider next steps to enhance value-based care capacity in rural health care organizations

Register Here