Category: Current Affairs

NRHA in the News – Rural implications of hospital designations, payment evolution

January 13, 2023

NRHA in the News – Rural implications of hospital designations, payment evolution

New research by NRHA members at the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis looks at the evolution of hospital designations and payment in the United States, along with implications for rural hospitals. Additionally, the Rural Health Redesign Center Organization’s Rural Emergency Hospital Technical Assistance Center is hosting a webinar at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 18 on an overview of the REH model. Participants will learn about REH requirements and CMS conditions for REH participation and payment, as well as how access ongoing support. Act by 11:59 p.m. CST today to save hundreds on your chance to explore the implications of the REH model and advocate in person for other crucial rural health policies Feb. 7-9 in D.C.

NRHA Awards Spotlight

January 13, 2023

Nominations are now open for NRHA’s 2023 Rural Health Awards. Each year 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. Act by Feb. 20 to submit NRHA Rural Health Award nominations

Previous Rural Health Award recipients have stretched the boundaries of possibility by forging innovative programs and services, making rural life healthier and more compassionate.

Nominate your favorite rural health individual, organization, program, or student for these prestigious awards soon for consideration.

Winners will be honored during a special ceremony during NRHA’s Annual Rural Health Conference in San Diego next spring.

For more information click here

NRHA in The News – Maternal, Infant Health in Rural Counties Without OBs

January 13, 2023

NRHA in The News – Maternal, Infant Health in Rural Counties Without OBs

New research by NRHA members at the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center offers a comparison of evidence-based supports for maternal and infant health in 133 rural U.S. counties with and without hospital-based OB care. Additionally, Titus Regional Medical Center, an NRHA member in rural Texas, has been recognized as one of the best hospitals in the country for maternity care, while women in Deep East Texas drive more than an hour to give birth after the last obstetrics unit in the area closed in 2019. Act by 11:59 p.m. CST today to save hundreds on your chance to advocate in person for the maternity care needs of your community Feb. 7-9 at NRHA’s 34th Rural Health Policy Institute.

NRHA in The News – Children’s hospitals struggle with respiratory illness surge

January 13, 2023

NRHA in The News – Children’s hospitals struggle with respiratory illness surge

At children’s hospitals across the country, facilities are struggling to cope with limited staff and a surge of respiratory illnesses. Facing shortages of critical care beds, medication, and frontline staff amid the onslaught of RSV, COVID-19, and the flu, hospitals serving Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska are collaborating to get children with acute conditions the treatment they need. Additionally, updated antibiotic stewardship requirements come at a vital time, as data show the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased antibiotic use and a backslide in stewardship efforts because of the excess strain the outbreak imposed on hospital resources.

NRHA in The News – 2022 was Rough for Hospitals – 2023 Won’t be Much Better

January 13, 2023

NRHA in The News – 2022 was Rough for Hospitals – 2023 Won’t be Much Better

Financial analysts have said that 2022 may have been the worst year for hospital finances in decades. This year looks like it will be yet another year of financial underperformance, with rural providers in especially dire circumstances. Only a handful of rural hospitals closed in 2021 and 2022, but these low totals are due to government relief, according to NRHA COO Brock Slabach, who is expecting an increase in rural hospital closures this year. Recent reports indicate at least 631 hospitals are at risk of closure. Stakeholders cite inflation and shrinking margins as key challenges, which may lead more hospitals to merge with other systems to survive. Act by 11:59 p.m. CST today to save hundreds on your chance to advocate in person for the needs of rural hospitals Feb. 7-9 at NRHA’s 34th Rural Health Policy Institute.

New Policy Brief and Webinar: Impacts of CAH Independence and System Ownership during the COVID-19 Pandemic

January 13, 2023

New Policy Brief and Webinar: Impacts of CAH Independence and System Ownership during the COVID-19 Pandemic

A new policy brief is available on the Flex Monitoring Team (FMT) website: Impacts of Critical Access Hospital Independence and System Ownership during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In this brief, the FMT describes findings from a survey of CAH CEOs about their response to COVID-19, with a specific focus on advantages and disadvantages of system ownership or independence as described by survey participants.

Additionally, a new webinar recording is available on the FMT website: COVID-19 Response in System-Owned and Independent CAHs. In this webinar, the FMT presents findings from their survey of CAHs including advantages and disadvantages of system ownership or independent status, support received from State Flex Programs, staff recruiting challenges, partnerships, and patient transfers.

View Policy Brief

View Webinar

NRHA In The News – Year-end Legislation Includes Funds for Rural Projects

January 13, 2023

NRHA in The News – Year-end Legislation Includes Funds for Rural Projects

The recently passed end-of-year government funding bill includes several bipartisan efforts that benefit rural, including a two-year extension of telehealth and hospital-at-home waivers and the Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act introduced by Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.). “This legislation will increase access to needed services in our rural communities,” says NRHA CEO Alan Morgan. The $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill also includes changes to federal health policy, including easing Medicare provider pay cuts, restarting Medicare redeterminations, and extending federal rural hospital programs. Act by 11:59 p.m. CST today to save hundreds on your chance to advocate for health policy and make our rural voices louder Feb. 7-9 at NRHA’s 34th Rural Health Policy Institute.

Rural Citizens Access to Telehealth (RCAT) – Webinar

January 11, 2023

Rural Citizens Access to Telehealth (RCAT) – Webinar

The Rural Citizens Access to Telehealth (RCAT) project is a partnership between the Missouri Telehealth Network and the Department of Social Services, MO HealthNet Division. Together, they will provide funding, education, and training opportunities to introduce or enhance existing telehealth services for rural providers accepting Medicaid patients.

Click here to register to attend an informational webinar to learn more about the RCAT project.
Topics include:

  • History and Background of RCAT Project
  • Eligibility for RCAT
  • State Prioritized Telehealth Focus Areas (i.e. Maternal health)
  • Next Steps

**Funding opportunities are available for eligible partners.

Webinar Dates/Times:

  • Monday, January 9th @ 12:00 noon
  • Tuesday, January 10th @ 2:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, January 12th @ 9:00 a.m.
  • Friday, January 13th @ 12:00 noon

Click here to register.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Announces NCHHSTP’s Equity Initiative

January 9, 2023

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Announces NCHHSTP’s Equity Initiative

The CDC National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) would like to share their Equity Initiative. This transformational long-term strategy is designed to achieve equity within the Center’s workplace and eliminate health disparities by addressing racism and other systems of oppression that hinder our mission. The Initiative builds on decades of successful work—by NCHHSTP staff, our partners, and advocates—giving us a strong foundation of proven strategies and bold ideas to advance equity.

The Initiative includes an Implementation Plan that outlines the first steps of a long-term process to place equity squarely at the forefront of all internal and external Center activities. The Plan is organized into three focus areas with goals, objectives, and activities to support achieving the goals:

  • Ensuring a workplace culture that is inclusive, collaborative, and anti-racist, and one that encourages all staff to engage in dialogue about racism and other systems of oppression.
  • Establishing workplace practices and policies that further increase diversity, ensure fair and equitable opportunities for advancement, and eliminate discrimination.
  • Refining our systems and processes for designing, funding, and evaluating research, programs, policy, and partnerships to ensure they are intentionally, systematically, and consistently focused on addressing the social and structural causes of health disparities.

Additional information about the Initiative, the Implementation Plan, and work completed to-date is now online.

January MBQIP Monthly

January 6, 2023

January MBQIP Monthly

Now Available! MBQIP Monthly – January 2023

MBQIP Monthly is an e-newsletter that highlights current information about the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) and provides critical access hospitals (CAHs) information and support for quality reporting and improvement. MBQIP Monthly is produced through the Rural Quality Improvement Technical Assistance program by Stratis Health.

  • January 2023 content:

CAHs Can! National Rural Virtual Quality Improvement Mentor Profile Series: Tammy Sudtelgte

Data: CAHs Measure Up – MBQIP Annual Reports: What Are They, and What Do They Tell Us?

Tips: Robyn Quips – Year-end and New Year Abstraction Reminders

Tools and Resources – Helping CAHs succeed in Quality Reporting & Improvement

This list of resources related to electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) reporting is intended to aid critical access hospitals seeking to meet the quality measure reporting requirements for the Promoting Interoperability Program (formerly known as the Medicare EHR Incentive Program). Calendar Year (CY) 2022 submission deadline is February 28, 2023.

Upcoming Office Hours!  Ask Robyn – Quarterly Open Office Hour Call for Data Abstractors | Tuesday, January 24, 2023, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. CT Register  
Sometimes it just helps to talk to someone! Quality Reporting Specialist Robyn Carlson offers open office hour calls to discuss your MBQIP abstraction questions. Sessions are free of charge, but registration is required. For more information about the Ask Robyn calls, contact Robyn Carlson (rcarlson@stratishealth.org).

If you have MBQIP questions, please contact tasc@ruralcenter.org.