Rural Health
News by Topic: Health workforce
Apr 24, 2024 - Profiles the only psychiatrist in Navajo Nation who blends Western behavioral healthcare and cultural practices in his delivery of care. Discusses mental healthcare access, diabetes, recruiting healthcare workforce, and the impact of COVID-19.
Source: Cronkite News
Apr 24, 2024 - Announces funding from the Delta Regional Authority for training emergency medical service (EMS) workforce in rural Arkansas. Discusses workforce shortages in the Arkansas Delta. The initiative will include both recruiting youth into the workforce as well as advancing the training of already employed paramedics.
Source: Talk Business & Politics
Apr 23, 2024 - Announces $700 million in funding for tribal communities for water and sewage infrastructure as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Also announces a partnership between the Bureau of Reclamation and the Indian Health Service (IHS) as well as a partnership between the United States Public Health Services (USPHS) Commissioned Corps and IHS. The partnerships will address barriers in access to resources as well as public health workforce needs.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Apr 23, 2024 - Discusses an increase in dental deserts, particularly in rural communities due to workforce shortages and limited Medicaid reimbursements for dental care. Highlights a trend in Federally Qualified Health Centers to integrate dental care into primary care.
Source: The Week
Apr 23, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) establishing minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities. This rule also requires states to report the percentage of Medicaid payments for certain Medicaid-covered institutional services that are spent on compensation for direct care workers and support staff. These regulations are effective on June 21, 2024, except for § 483.71, § 483.35(b)(1) and (c)(1), § 483.35(b)(1)(i) and (ii), and §§ 438.72(a) and 442.43 as indicated.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 22, 2024 - Offers review of a new rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding staffing minimums in nursing homes. The new standard is expected to require most nursing homes to increase staff. Discusses the rural-specific timeline for meeting the standard in addition to the impact on wages, workforce shortages, and Medicaid reimbursement.
Source: KFF Health News
Apr 22, 2024 - Announces three rules from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services establishing national standards and increasing access to care. "Minimum Staffing Standards for Nursing Homes" aims to improve healthcare quality by setting minimum staffing standards for nursing staff, collecting and reporting on workforce compensation data, and offering incentives for the nurse workforce to work in nursing homes. The 2 remaining rules work together to establish national appointment wait time standards, address payment transparency, and create payment standards for workers providing home and community based services.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
HRSA: Income Levels Used for Various Health Professions and Nursing Programs Authorized in Titles III, VII, and VIII of the Public Health Service Act
Federal Register
Apr 22, 2024 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) updating income levels used to identify a "low-income family" to determine disadvantaged background eligibility for Titles III, VII, and VIII nursing and health professions programs authorized by the Public Health Service Act. These programs provide health professions students with scholarships and/or loan repayment in return for service in underserved locations.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 22, 2024 - Discusses recent research finding the shortage of primary care physicians is greater in rural areas. Includes analysis of findings by study authors, discussing rural-specific needs, Medicare reimbursement, and recruiting rural residents into healthcare.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Apr 22, 2024 - Describes the role community health workers play in re-entry for recently incarcerated rural Utah residents. Discusses the role of addiction in incarceration and how the program is funded.
Source: KFF Health News, CBS News