Rural Spotlight

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

Calendar Year 2025 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System Final Rule

December 3, 2024

Calendar Year 2025 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System Final Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Hospital OPPS/ASC Payment System Final Rule (89 FR 93912) was published by the Office of the Federal Register on November 27, 2024.

Program information for outpatient quality reporting begins with cross-program changes for the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting Program, Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting Program, and the Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting Program at Section XIV, pages 94367-94404; https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-11-27/pdf/2024-25521.pdf#page=456.

Individual program information can be found in the following sections of the final rule:

Inpatient facilities participating in the Hospital IQR Program are encouraged to review the hybrid measure changes, which further extend the voluntary reporting period under the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 payment determination.

Major provisions of the CY 2025 OPPS/ASC Payment System Final Rule are also discussed on the CMS website.

Upcoming CEHP Webinars: Jab Gab Childhood and Adolescent Vaccination Updates for Health Professionals Webinar Series

December 2, 2024

Upcoming CEHP Webinars: Jab Gab childhood and Adolescent Vaccination Updates for Health Professionals Webinar Series

By the end of this webinar series, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the significance of completing childhood recommended vaccination schedule, including public health implications and individual health benefits.
  • Differentiate evidence-based interventions (EBIs) that increases vaccination completion rates among children.
  • Implement evidence-based strategies to improve childhood vaccination rates in their practice and community.

Webinars will also be recorded and available On-demand a week following the live event. Your registration allows you to participate in the live Zoom webinar or watch the recorded video. You must be registered to claim credit and may claim only once for each session. Recorded videos will be available until May 31, 2025.

Upcoming Webinar Schedule:

  • The Best Gift You Can Give Your Patients – How to Address Pediatric Vaccine Hesitancy, December 3, 2024, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Resolve to Prevent Cancer – HPV and Adolescent Vaccine Schedules, January 7, 2025, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Show Your Love with Lifelong Immunity – Addressing Pediatric Vaccine Hesitancy, February 4, 2025, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Click Here to Register

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

RHIhub This Week Now Available

December 2, 2024

RHIhub This Week Now Available

RHIhub This Week keeps you informed of the latest rural news, funding opportunities, publications and events.

Click Here to Access RHIhub This Week

Upcoming MRHA Webinar: Remote Patient Monitoring and Chronic Care Management, January 30

December 2, 2024

Upcoming MRHA Webinar: Remote Patient Monitoring and Chronic Care Management, January 30

This session will provide an in-depth exploration of Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Chronic Care Management (CCM) – defining these emerging care programs, unpacking their core benefits, and navigating the complexities of CMS reimbursement.

Attendees will understand how RPM in particular can uniquely advantage Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) in enhancing patient outcomes and care delivery.

The session will also equip participants with the knowledge to assess their own facility’s needs, helping them choose the right RPM/CCM partner for success and will shed light on potential pitfalls to avoid when implementing these transformative care programs.

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, January 30, 12:00 p.m.

Click Here to Register

Upcoming MRHA Webinar: Addressing Health-Related Social Needs in Rural Missouri, January 23

December 2, 2024

Upcoming MRHA Webinar: Addressing Health-Related Social Needs in Rural Missouri, January 23

Join Findhelp for an engaging session addressing the pressing social needs impacting health in rural America. This session will discuss how collaboration and partnership aims to address social determinants of health across rural regions, with key insights from projects in Tennessee, Missouri, and beyond.

Discover innovative strategies, real-world lessons, and actionable takeaways to drive healthier outcomes through powerful, collaborative approaches.

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, January 23, 12:00 p.m.

Click Here to Register