October 17, 2024
RHIhub This Week Now Available
The RHIhub keeps you informed of the latest rural news, funding opportunities, publications and events.
Click Here to Read Latest Issue
October 17, 2024
RHIhub This Week Now Available
The RHIhub keeps you informed of the latest rural news, funding opportunities, publications and events.
Click Here to Read Latest Issue
October 17, 2024
HRSA Announces Major Investment to Integrate Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services into Primary Care
On September 19, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced $240 million in awards to launch and expand mental health and substance use disorder services in more than 400 HRSA-funded community health centers that provide care for more than 10 million people across the country.
HRSA-funded health centers are a primary source of care for people who are uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in Medicaid, making them well-positioned to respond to the urgent need for high-quality behavioral health services that are stigma-free, culturally competent, and readily accessible.
The grants will help expand access to needed care to help tackle the nation’s behavioral health and opioid crises.
Click Here to Read More
October 17, 2024
HRSA Announces Overhaul of OPTN Board of Directors
In September, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced the overhaul of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) – the governing board that develops national organ allocation policy.
The OPTN Board is now separately incorporated and independent from the Board of long-time OPTN contractor, the United Network for Organ Sharing. HRSA has awarded an OPTN Board Support contract to American Institutes for Research to support the newly incorporated OPTN Board of Directors.
These critical actions to better serve patients by breaking up the monopoly that ran the nation’s organ allocation system are part of the OPTN modernization plan announced by HRSA in March 2023. Prior to these steps, the national body responsible for developing organ allocation policy for the country, the OPTN and the corporate entity contracted to implement the policy UNOS, shared the exact same Board or Directors.
The new board support contractor will be accountable to HRSA and will organize a special election for a new OPTN Board of Directors with a focus on eliminating conflicts of interest and ensuring that data, evidence, and the voices of clinical leaders, scientific experts, patients, and donor families are driving action and accountability. Moving forward, no member of the OPTN Board can sit on an OPTN vendor’s board of directors.
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October 17, 2024
HRSA Takes Historic Steps to Modernize the Nation’s Organ Transplant System
On September 19, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced the first-ever multi-vendor contract awards to modernize the nation’s organ transplant system.
For the first time in 40 years, multiple contractors will contribute their expertise and experience to improve the national organ donation and transplant system for the more than 100,000 people on the organ transplant waitlist.
The transition from a single vendor to multiple vendors to support operations of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) is a critical step in advancing innovation in the transplant system to better serve patients and their families.
HRSA is announcing multiple OPTN modernization awards to support critical actions including:
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October 17, 2024
Pricing Transparency Tools Available
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed and maintains tools to support hospitals in meeting some of the machine-readable file (MRF) requirements for Hospital Price Transparency.
October 17, 2024
CMS Webinar: New Hospital Price Transparency Requirements, October 21
Hosted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), this webinar will review the new hospital Price Transparency data elements that all U.S. hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals are required to include in their comprehensive machine-readable file (MRF) starting January 1, 2025.
According to regulations, hospitals must show their standard charges for all items and services they provide in an MRF that conforms to a CMS template layout and data specifications.
Cost: Free
When: Monday, October 21, 12:00 p.m.
Click Here to Register
October 11, 2024
NRHA Accepting Health Equity Council Applications
The National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA’s) Health Equity Council is currently seeking applications through November 14 for individuals interested in serving on the council board, which highlights issues related to rural, underserved, and often under-represented populations.
NRHA’s Health Equity Council and Conference highlight issues often faced by LGBTQIA+, veteran, and homeless rural residents as well as multiracial and multicultural members of rural communities.
NRHA encourages applications from members of all races, religions, national origins, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and ages, as well as veterans and individuals with disabilities for open positions beginning January 1, 2024
Click Here to Apply
October 11, 2024
Live Virtual Conference: Empowering Our Community Anti-Human Trafficking Conference, November 7
Human trafficking is a significant issue in Missouri. Traffickers target individuals who are vulnerable due to factors such as poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, mental health issues, immigration status, or previous experiences of trauma.
Missouri’s central location in the United States makes it a transit hub for human trafficking networks. Human trafficking is often underreported due to fear, shame, language barriers, mistrust of authorities, and lack of awareness among potential victims and the general public.
Efforts to combat trafficking require a multi-sectoral approach involving law enforcement, healthcare professionals, social service agencies, policymakers, and community members working together to prevent exploitation, identify victims, and provide comprehensive support services.
With increased awareness and skills, stakeholders will tailor prevention strategies, outreach efforts, and victim centered services to address the diverse needs of individuals affected by human trafficking in Missouri.
Target Audience
When: Thursday, November 7, 8 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Click Here to Register
October 11, 2024
CEHP Webinar Series: Firstline Infection Prevention, October 17
This webinar series is presented by the University of Missouri Continuing Education for Health Professions (CEHP) and focuses on the basics of infection control. These webinars cover topics like how viruses spread, proper cleaning, and how to use personal protective equipment.
The content is delivered in plain language with practical applications.
If you are confused about infection control, this is the place to start.
Cost: Free
When:
Click Here to Register
October 11, 2024
Washington County Hospitals & Clinics Recognized as Top 20 Critical Access Hospital at National Rural Health Conference
Washington County Hospital & Clinics (WCHC) was recognized last month for its commitment to excellence in rural healthcare at the National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA’s) Critical Access Hospital (CAH) conference in Kansas City, Missouri.
The NRH’s evaluation, based on the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance Index, assesses hospitals across eight categories:
According to the release, the NRHA designated WCHC one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals in the United States, this past April.
Click Here to Read Full Release