Rural Spotlight

Public Comment Period Now Open: Screening for Cervical Cancer USPSTF Draft Recommendation, Draft Evidence Review, and Draft Modeling Report, Comment by January 13

January 3, 2025

Public Comment Period Now Open: Screening for Cervical Cancer USPSTF Draft Recommendation, Draft Evidence Review, and Draft Modeling Report, Comment by January 13

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women ages 21 to 65 get screened regularly for cervical cancer and seeks comments on the following documents:

  • Draft Recommendation statement
  • Draft Evidence Review, and
  • Draft Modeling Report.

Note the public comment period has been expanded from the standard four weeks to five weeks to account for the holidays. Comment by January 13, 2025.

To comment, click on the title of the draft document Here

Upcoming HRSA Webinar: Improving Patient Engagement in Cervical Cancer Prevention, January 16

January 3, 2025

Upcoming HRSA Webinar: Improving Patient Engagement in Cervical Cancer Prevention, January 16

In observance of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) invites you to join “Improving Patient Engagement in Cervical Cancer Prevention”, featuring speakers from HRSA’s MCHB, Division of Women’s Health.

Attendees will learn about a new Patient Engagement Toolkit that supports efforts to increase patient and community engagement in cervical cancer and prevention, screening, and management. The toolkit was designed to meet the needs of health centers and safety-net settings but may be useful to other health care organizations that are committed to preventing cervical cancer.

The webinar is part of HRSA’s Women’s Health Leadership Series. The purpose of the series is to spotlight emerging issues and innovations in women’s health across the lifespan.

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, January 16, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET

Click Here to Register

Register Now for AAP Obesity ECHO Training

December 31, 2024

Register Now for AAP Obesity ECHO Training

Starting in January, the American Academy of Pediatrics Obesity ECHO will serve as a forum for primary care providers and others who care for pediatric patients to increase their knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy to effectively identify and provide best practice care around obesity to pediatric patients and their families.

Additionally, the National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA) Rural Obesity and Chronic Disease Initiative aims to diminish stigma by championing policies and programs that improve the long-term health of rural residents.

The ECHO will run from January 2025 to July 2025 with sessions held twice a month on Tuesdays from 12 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT, with a kickoff session in January:

  • January 28, 2025: Kickoff session
  • February 11, 2025
  • February 25, 2025
  • March 11,2025
  • March 25, 2025
  • April 8, 2025
  • April 22, 2025
  • May 6, 2025
  • May 20, 2025
  • June 10, 2025
  • June 24, 2025
  • July 8, 2025
  • July 22, 2025

Contact Oyin Oloniniyi at ooloniniy@aap.org with any questions.

Click Here to Register

2025 Rural Health Awards Nominations Now Open

December 31, 2024

2025 Rural Health Awards Nominations Now Open

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

Consider nominating your favorite rural health individual, program or organization so that they may be honored nationally for their contributions to rural health.

Click here to nominate an organization or program

Click here to nominate an individual

New JRH Articles on Medicaid Expansion’s Racial Impact, More

December 31, 2024

New JRH Articles on Medicaid Expansion’s Racial Impact, More

The latest issue of the National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA’s) Journal of Rural Health (JRH) is now available online featuring original articles and research on topics including:

  • The role of digital technology in rural health research;
  • Associations between COVID-19 therapies and outcomes in rural and urban America;
  • Barriers to participation in clinical trials of rural older adult cancer survivors;
  • The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban and rural hospital profitability;
  • The uneven impact of Medicaid expansion by race in rural and urban areas; and much more.

Click Here to Read NRHA Journal of Rural Health

Stroudwater Releases Physician Compensation Survey Results

December 31, 2024

Stroudwater Releases Physician Compensation Survey Results

The 2024 Rural Provider Compensation Report by Stroudwater Associates Principal Opal H. Greenway in partnership with the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) offers critical insights to help rural hospitals address these issues thoughtfully and strategically.

This report reflects input from 199 organizations across 42 states, representing more than 2,800 providers. The data highlights areas where rural hospitals must adapt to remain competitive and sustainable.

Click Here to Access the Full Report

Click Here to Sign up to Participate Next Year

Article: Why Hospital Violence is a Public Health Emergency

December 31, 2024

Article: Why Hospital Violence is a Public Health Emergency

A distressing 80 percent of emergency room doctors say violence has impacted patient care and safety where they work. Half of emergency physicians note they have witnessed harm to patients in the emergency department, and 47 percent report they themselves have been assaulted at work.

Since the pandemic, 44 percent of nurses report an increase in physical violence and 68 percent report an increase in verbal abuse. Additionally, health care violence prevention expert Kimberly Urbanek recently discussed ways to reduce violence, protect workers, and empower staff.

Click Here to Read Article: Hospital Workplace Violence is a Public Health Emergency

Click Here to Read Article: Taking a Proactive Approach to Reducing Violence in Healthcare

CMS 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Final Rule Summary

December 31, 2024

CMS 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Final Rule Summary

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that updates payment policies and Medicare payment rates for services provided by physicians and nonphysician practitioners (NPPs) that are paid under the PFS in CY 2025. These changes apply to services provided in 2025.

Click Here to Read Summary

Click Here to Read Billing for Telehealth

Click Here to Read Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule

Telehealth Policy Update

December 31, 2024

Telehealth Policy Update

Recent legislation authorized an extension of many of the Medicare telehealth flexibilities. This includes:

  • Waiving geographic and originating site requirements through March 31, 2025.
  • Expanding practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services through March 31,2025.
  • Allowing Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) to serve as distant site providers through March 31, 2025.
  • For 2025 and 2026, FQHCs and RHCs will be paid for telehealth services under the FQHC prospective payment system or the RHC all-inclusive rates, respectively.
  • Delaying the in-person requirements for tele-mental health services through April 1, 2025.
  • Allowing audio-only telehealth through March 31, 2025.

Click Here to Read More

Notice of Funding Opportunity: RCORP Overdose Response, HRSA-25-010

December 31, 2024

Notice of Funding Opportunity: RCORP Overdose Response, HRSA-25-010

The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) – Overdose Response is a one-year program supporting improved health care in rural areas by addressing their immediate and short-term needs related to provision of substance use disorder services. RCORP – Overdose Response aims to reduce and prevent the risk of overdoses in rural areas. HRSA will make approximately 20 awards of up to $300,000 each.

The RCORP – Overdose Response Program will support specific, short-term substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery activities, as well as work related to capacity building, supportive services, and special populations.

RCORP Overdose Response funds MUST ONLY be used to support activities from the list of allowable activities described in the HRSA-25-010-Full Announcement document located Here.

Eligible organizations include all domestic public or private, non-profit, or for-profit entities.

The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) will hold a webinar for applicants on Thursday January 30, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Click Here to Read Full Announcement and Apply

For more information about this funding opportunity, contact the Program Coordinator, Diana Wang, at ruralopioidresponse@hrsa.gov.