Rural Spotlight

NRHA Webinar – Finding Financial Support for Prescription Medications and Understanding the Medicare Reforms to Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs, Thursday, January 25

January 5, 2024

NRHA Webinar – Finding Financial Support for Prescription Medications and Understanding the Medicare Reforms to Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs, Thursday, January 25

The inability to pay for essential medical care is not just a significant problem for the uninsured but also for people who have health insurance. Recent polling by the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that 47% of U.S. adults said that it is very or somewhat difficult to afford their healthcare costs and about 50% said they would be unable to pay a $500 unexpected medical bill without borrowing money.

The PAN Foundation serves as a critical safety net for hundreds of thousands of underinsured patients each year. As an independent, national 501(c)(3) organization, PAN helps people across the country get the medications and treatments they need by assisting with their out-of-pocket costs and advocating for improved access, affordability and equity for all.

Join PAN’s Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer, Amy Niles, as she explores the important role PAN plays every day in connecting patients with the lifesaving care they need and deserve.

During this webinar you will learn:

  • How healthcare providers and pharmacists can help their eligible patients find and apply for grants through PAN’s easy-to-use application process
  • Review Medicare reforms, now law, that will lower costs for people on Medicare

Attendees will walk away from this webinar with a better understanding about:

  • The role of charitable foundation assistance programs and why they are needed
  • How to connect patients with assistance through PAN’s disease specific funds
  • The Medicare reforms enacted through the Inflation Reduction Act (August 2022) that will improve access to care for millions of people on Medicare

When: Thursday, January 25, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. CST

Register Here

NRHA Webinar – Safe by Design: ER Designs to Accommodate Behavior Issues, Tuesday, January 23

January 5, 2024

NRHA Webinar – Safe by Design: ER Designs to Accommodate Behavior Issues, Tuesday, January 23

Emergency rooms serve as a single-entry point for a variety of patients into a hospital.

From sick children and expecting mothers to victims of violent crime and traumatic incidents, the ER must accommodate a wide range of needs, and increasingly, this includes behavioral health patients. Intentional design is critical to the overall safety of hospital staff, patients and visitors.

When designing emergency rooms for behavioral health patients, preserving security for patients and staff must be the number one priority. Crucial security considerations during design include:

  • Direct linking of the ED to the behavioral health ward
  • Controlling access to all spaces
  • Anti-ligature and tamper-proof features
  • Limiting or enhancing patient privacy with clear sight lines depending on patient acuity
  • Administration of bathroom access
  • Designing nurse stations close by the ED holding rooms

Please join the National Rural Health Association’s two subject-matter experts, Connor Crist and Megan Vaeth to learn more about these elements.

When: Tuesday, January 23, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CST

Register Here

NRHA Webinar – Navigating Change: Strategies for Critical Access Hospitals in a Rising Rate Environment

January 5, 2024

NRHA Webinar – Navigating Change: Strategies for Critical Access Hospitals in a Rising Rate Environment

In today’s evolving landscape, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) face pressing challenges requiring substantial financial investments.

This study delves into the complexities of:

  • Securing resources for CAHs
  • Factoring in interest rates
  • Project costs
  • Cash flow
  • and cost-based payments.

Analysis reveals that despite the backdrop of rising interest rates and construction costs, current trends should not deter CAHs from pursuing long-term capital investments. The reimbursement system acts as a safeguard, softening the impact of market fluctuations on rural healthcare.

Discover how to address the unique needs of rural healthcare amidst a rapidly changing financial environment when you join Stroudwater Capital Partners CEO, Brian Haapala, to explore:

  • project sizing
  • early investments
  • the advantages of cyclical interest rate cycle

When: Wednesday, January 17, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CST

Register Here

Upcoming Webinar: Latest CMS Updates and the Most Frequent Findings in Rural Health Care, Tuesday, January 16

January 5, 2024

Upcoming Webinar: Latest CMS Updates and the Most Frequent Findings in Rural Health Care, Tuesday, January 16

CMS Certification is not only necessary for CAHs and RHCs to receive Medicare and Medicaid payments, but also for payment from many private insurers and participation in Federal grants.

Preparation for a CMS survey is critically important for CAHs and RHCs, as adverse CMS survey outcomes can result in termination of your CMS Certification.

Rural hospitals and rural health clinics have unique challenges, such as limited resources.

Set your organization up for a successful survey and join this webinar on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, to hear from a former CMS surveyor about the latest updates affecting rural hospitals and rural health clinics and the most cited CMS CfCs and CoPs.

After attending, participants will be able to:

  • Discuss CMS QSO Memos and Notifications affecting rural hospitals
  • Most frequent CMS findings in CAHs
  • Most frequent CMS findings in RHCs

When: Tuesday, January 16, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CST

Register Here

Call for Speaker Proposals: SORH Regional Partnership Meetings

January 5, 2024

Call for Speaker Proposals: SORH Regional Partnership Meetings

Are you passionate about driving positive change in rural health? Here’s your chance to share your experiences and insights with State Offices of Rural Health (SORH).

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) invites you to participate in the 2024 SORH Regional Partnership Meetings in collaboration with the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP). Your unique insights and expertise can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of rural health.

Proposals are due on January 19, 2024.

Region Specific Topics

  • Region A
    • Role in New England Health Association
  • Region B
    • Georgia legislative tax credit program to address hospital closures
    • Community Paramedicine
  • Region C
    • Presentations on Artificial Intelligence (AI) specifically related to State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) work and implementation
    • Rural Maternal and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOM) grant experiences
    • Presentations on addressing Dental Access/Care – low-income access to care, especially for children and in more rural areas
  • Region D
    • Presentations on Artificial Intelligence (AI) specifically related to State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) work and implementation
    • Developing Partnerships
  • Region E
    • Rural Veterans Initiatives

See Complete Topic List

Submission Guidelines

  • Proposals should align with one or more of the stated topics
  • Submissions must include a clear objective and outline of the presentation
  • Proposals should offer:
    • practical,
    • innovative
    • and actionable insights
  • Collaborative presentations showcasing partnerships and multi-stakeholder initiatives highly encouraged
  • Presentations designed to fit a 45-minute session format

Additional Information

  • The planning committee, comprised of SORH members and FORHP representatives will review the proposals.
  • Notifications of acceptance sent out by early March 2024.
  • Speakers are responsible for their registration, travel, and accommodation arrangements.
  • Selected presenters will submit their Travel Pre-approval form at least eight (8) weeks before anticipated travel.
    • Eligible presenters will receive one night’s lodging and associated expenses.
    • Must request a second night’s lodging in advance.

For questions about the meeting please contact Caroline Wroczynski, NOSORH Education Manager at carolinew@nosorh.org

For technical questions regarding submission proposal please contact Trevor Brown, NOSORH Program Coordinator, at trevorb@nosorh.org

State of the Healthcare Industry: Markey Updates for Rural Strategy

January 5, 2024

State of the Healthcare Industry: Markey Updates for Rural Strategy

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH), in partnership with Stroudwater Associates is conducting a series of quarterly market updates for rural healthcare stakeholders to stay current on the changes in the healthcare marketplace and strategize responses to ensure vital services for rural communities.

By the end of these sessions, participants will be able to:

  • Understand new regulations and laws that have occurred during the last 90 days
  • Describe the current market dynamics of the healthcare industry
  • Evaluate the effects of these trends on rural providers
  • Apply this understanding to their own organization

Who Should Attend:

  • State Offices of Rural Health
  • Rural Hospitals
  • Primary care practices
  • Non-profit organization
  • Rural philanthropy organizations
  • Policymakers
  • Government agencies
  • Other rural health stakeholders

When:

  • January 18, 2024, 3 pm ET

Register Here

Upcoming Webinar – Make Clinic Training Stick

January 4, 2024

Upcoming Webinar – Make Clinic Training Stick

This one-hour Executive Briefing is designed for healthcare managers and leaders. Let Brian Lee, CSP, HoF be your guide to hardwiring a culture focused on 5 star Patient Experience with Everyone’s a Caregiver®.

Make clinic training stick by empowering your providers and caregivers to deliver a thoughtful, timely patient experience, every time.

Why You Should Attend:

  • Learn best practices and skills to improve and own your patient experience scores
    • Improve patient satisfaction scores and low Google ratings
  • Enhance your onboarding and retention process by educating new hires with 17 must-have patient experience communication skills
    • Inspire new hires
    • Reduce mentor training hours
  • Boost employee engagement while learning together and sharing ideas
    • Energize your staff
  • Meet your patients’ expectations every time
  • Become a patient relationship expert and learn how to train your staff as patient relationship experts

When: Monday, January 22, 8 PM/9 M/10 C/ 11E

Register Here

Training Opportunity – Overdose Safety Planning in Rural Communities, January 30

January 3, 2024

Training Opportunity – Overdose Safety Planning in Rural Communities, January 30

A significant challenge facing rural community members is how to work with those who are struggling with opioid use and other substance use while effectively intervening to reduce the risks associated with overdose. Safety planning is an important aspect of overdose prevention.

In keeping with harm reduction principles, this webinar, Overdose Safety Planning in Rural Communities will explore best practices for overdose prevention so that community members feel more empowered to conduct safety planning with those individuals at risk.

Presenter:

  • Delores Blackwell, LCSW
    • A multijurisdictional licensed clinical social worker
    • Has held numerous administrative and clinical positions within both the addictions and mental health disciplines.
    • An adjunct professor at both Touro College and Hunter College Silberman Schools of Social Work.
    • Conducts and develops trainings for mental health and addictions professionals in both direct practice and leadership positions.
    • Currently a Research Project Manager at the New York State Psychiatric Institute at Columbia University Medical Center

Credits

  • This training has been approved for two renewal hours (CASC, CPP, CPS) and two initial hours (CPP, CPS) through New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS)
  • As an IC & RC member board, OASAS accredited courses are granted reciprocal approval by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee
  • Participants are required to attend the ENTIRE training, turn on their video cameras and actively participate in order to receive a Certificate of Completion.

When: Tuesday, January 30, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET

Register Here

New Funding Opportunity – State Maternal Health Innovation – HRSA-24-047

January 3, 2024

New Funding Opportunity – State Maternal Health Innovation – HRSA-24-047

The Health Resources and Services Administration announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the State Maternal Health Innovation (State MIH) program.

The purpose of the State MIH program is to reduce maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity (SMM) 3 by:

  • Improving access to care that is comprehensive, high-quality, appropriate, and on-going throughout the preconception, prenatal, labor and deliver and postpartum periods,
  • Enhancing maternal health surveillance and data capacity, and
  • Identifying and implementing innovative interventions to improve outcomes for populations disproportionately impacted by maternal mortality and SMM.

The program objectives to be accomplished during the period of performance to support programs goals are:

  • By September 29, 2025 (Project Year 1), each recipient will develop a draft 5-year Maternal Health Strategic Plan (MHSP) to improve maternal health
  • By September 29, 2025 (Year 1), award recipients will identify core measures to assess and report on program activities, including innovations, throughout the period of performance
  • By September 29, 2026 (Year 2), each recipient and their established MHTF will submit a final MHSP
  • By September 29, 2029 (Year 5), each recipient will increase the number of community members from populations with the highest rates of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity that participate on the state’s Maternal Health Task Force and in the implementation of the MHSP activities
  • Recipients will release a public Maternal Health Annual Report each year of the period of performance about maternal health topics relevant to the state
  • By September 29, 2029 (Year 5), identify and share the innovations with potential for replication, scale-up, and sustainability to improve maternal health

Eligibility

  • Non-profits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
  • Special district governments
  • City or township governments
  • County governments
  • Small businesses
  • Independent school districts
  • Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
  • Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments
  • For profit organizations other than small businesses
  • State governments

Additional Information on Eligibility:

  • You can apply if your organization is in the United States and is:
    • Public or private
    • Non-profit Community-based Tribal (governments, organizations)

For questions, please contact Sarah Meyerholz at (301) 443-1702 or email wellwomancare@hrsa.gov

View Grant Opportunity

Apply Now