Category: HRSA

CMS Seeks Feedback on Quality Measures for Medicare Hospitals, including REHs, Comment by December 30

December 6, 2024

CMS Seeks Feedback on Quality Measures for Medicare Hospitals, including REHs, Comment by December 30

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) would like public feedback on 41 measures under consideration for quality reporting and value-based programs before the measures are formally proposed through the rulemaking process.

Categories of quality measures for hospitals receiving payment through Medicare, including CMS-designated Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs) are:

  • Post-acute care/long-term care measures
  • Clinician Measures
  • Hospital Measures

For example, CMS would like early feedback on including the measure Median Time to Pain Medication for Patients with a Diagnosis of Sickly Cell Disease with Vaso-Occlusive Episode in the Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting Program, and the measure Proportion of Patients who Died from Cancer Admitted to Hospice for less than 3 Days in the Hospital Quality Reporting Program.

CMS will hold three listening sessions, one for each of these categories, December 17-19. Register to make live comments or ask questions during these sessions:

Click on the topic, below to learn more and register for the listening session:

Click Here for Instructions on Submitting a Comment

Webinar: How Health Systems and Hospitals Can Help Solve Homelessness, December 12

December 6, 2024

Webinar: How Health Systems and Hospitals Can Help Solve Homelessness, December 12

In partnership with the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), Kaiser Permanente is co-hosting a webinar for leaders in health care, public health, and research.

During this session, USICH – which sets federal homelessness strategy – will discuss its recent guidance, “How Health Systems and Hospitals Can Help Solve Homelessness,” outlining effective strategies for compassionate and collaborative care for people without safe, stable housing.

This one-hour webinar will cover:

  • Why health systems and hospitals are vital for ending homelessness
  • The financial benefits for health systems and hospitals
  • How providers are implementing USICH’s guidance in communities

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, December 12, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. ET

Click Here to Register

State of the Primary Care Workforce, 2024

December 6, 2024

State of the Primary Care Workforce, 2024

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA’s) National Center for Health Workforce Analysis collects data, conducts research, and generates information to inform and support public and private-sector decision making.

This brief examines the supply of physicians, physician assistants (PA), and nurse practitioners (NP) practicing in primary care specialties:

  • Family medicine
  • General pediatric medicine
  • General internal medicine
  • Geriatric medicine

While rural areas generally have lower primary care physician ratios than urban areas, the data show that NPs and Pas are important in providing primary care in rural areas. Approximately half of PAs were interested in practicing in rural locations (44 percent), Medically Underserved Areas (58%), or Health Professional Shortage Areas (54%).

Click Here to Read State of the Primary Care Workforce, 2024

New Policy Briefs from National Advisory for Rural Health Policy

December 6, 2024

New Policy Briefs from National Advisory for Rural Health Policy

The National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services is a citizens’ panel of rural health experts that convenes twice each year to examine pressing issues and make recommendations to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

The most recent reports come from a meeting in Austin, Texas in April of this year, with an in-depth look at How Technology and Innovation Can Help Address Rural Health Care Challenges and Supporting Quality Measurement for Rural Health Clinics.

Click Here for Policy Brief: How Technology and Innovation Can Help Address Rural Health Care Challenges

Click Here for Policy Brief: Supporting Quality Measurement for Rural Health Clinics

Research Recap: HIV Care

December 3, 2024

Research Recap: HIV Care

This research recap outlines different types of telehealth and how they can be used to support HIV treatment and prevention.

Click Here to Read the Research Recap

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Achieves Record-Breaking 90.6% Viral Suppression Rate among Its More than 576,000 Clients

December 3, 2024

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Achieves Record-Breaking 90.6% Viral Suppression Rate among Its More than 576,000 Clients

In commemoration of World Aids Day, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announce a record-breaking 90.6 percent of people with HIV receiving medical care through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program are virally suppressed, exceeding national viral suppression rates. Viral suppression means people with HIV taking their medication cannot sexually transmit HIV and can live longer and healthier lives.

The new Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program data reflect several key milestones:

  • More than 576,000 people with HIV in the U.S. received life-saving care, medication, and essential support services through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program representing over 50% of those with diagnosed HIV in the U.S.
  • Nearly 91 percent of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program clients receiving HIV medical care were virally suppressed in 2023. This is up from 70 percent of clients virally suppressed in 2010 and significantly higher than the 65 percent virally suppressed nationally (which includes people who do not qualify or receive treatment through the Ryan White Program).
  • Nearly 48 percent of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program clients are aged 50 years and older, demonstrating the program’s success in supporting older clients and its commitment to addressing the unique needs of people with HIV as they age.

Click Here to access the new 2023 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program By the Numbers data infographic.

Click Here to learn more about HRSA’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program

Click Here to read full press release

Peer-Reviewed Publication: Utilization, Quality, and Spending for Pediatric Medicaid Enrollees with Primary Care in Health Centers vs non-Health Centers

December 2, 2024

Peer-Reviewed Publication: Utilization, Quality, and Spending for Pediatric Medicaid Enrollees with Primary Care in Health Centers vs non-Health Centers

Using 2012 Medicaid claims data, HRSA-funded researchers compared cost, use, and quality among health center and non-health center pediatric patients. They found that for health center patients, quality of care was comparable, and total expenditures were lower by $240 per patient. This suggests that delivering primary care pediatric services at a health center may be a more cost-effective health care model.

Click Here to Learn More

Peer-Reviewed Publication: Study Finds that Improving Pediatric Emergency Care Could Save More than 2,100 Children’s Lives Annually

December 2, 2024

Peer-Reviewed Publication: Study Finds that Improving Pediatric Emergency Care Could Save More than 2,100 Children’s Lives Annually

During medical emergencies, children have distinct needs. But 83% of emergency departments nationwide are not highly prepared to meet those needs. The new study, in JAMA Network Open, found that bridging that gap, known as having high levels of “Pediatric Readiness” could prevent the deaths of 2,143 children each year while costing between $0 and $12 per child resident, depending on their state.

The study underscores the importance of MCHB’s partnership in two initiatives, known as the Pediatric Readiness Projects. These projects support the nation’s 5,000+ emergency departments and 15,000+ emergency medical services agencies in improving pediatric emergency care. Data from a recent national emergency department assessment were the foundation for this study.

Click Here to Learn More about Pediatric Readiness Projects

Click Here to Read Study

Register Now: Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Screening for Perinatal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Roundtable

December 2, 2024

Register Now: Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Screening for Perinatal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Roundtable

Join this roundtable discussion hosted by the Health Resources and Services (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders program will address the complexities of using screening tools for perinatal mental health and substance use disorders.

The discussion will focus on cultural and linguistic responsiveness. The session will highlight the importance of considering the entire process – both before and after the screening – to ensure patients receive appropriate support.

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, December 5, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Click Here to Learn More

Click Here to Register

Become a Champion for the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

December 2, 2024

Become a Champion for the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced a new national public awareness campaign for the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA) in conjunction with their latest Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative convening in Portland, Oregon.

As part of this new campaign, HHS announced the first six Maternal Mental Health Champions. They include:

  • Grocery stores
  • Pharmacies
  • Community organizations
  • Other institutions

Champions will raise awareness of the hotline at their thousands of locations across the nation, including Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can be a Hotline Champion by ordering and downloading 1-833-TLC-MAMA materials for free at any time to share with your friends, family, and network.

Click Here to see Maternal Mental Health Champion list

Click Here to Learn More about National Public Awareness Campaign

Click Here to Order and Download free TLC MAMA materials