Healthcare Access in Rural Communities – News
News stories from the past 60 days.
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 3, 2024 - Highlights the challenges with access mental healthcare in rural communities. Describes a rural Tennessee program aiming to connect people with mental health needs in jails with local resources, noting that hospital closures limits healthcare options. Discusses mental health and other re-entry services offered after successful grant funding to fill gaps in care.
Source: NewsChannel 5
Apr 2, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes to simplify the eligibility and enrollment processes in Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Basic Health Program. This rule aligns enrollment and renewal requirements for most individuals in Medicaid; creates timeliness requirements for redeterminations of eligibility; makes transitions between programs easier; eliminates access barriers for children enrolled in CHIP by prohibiting premium lock-out periods, benefit limitations, and waiting periods; and modernizes recordkeeping requirements to ensure proper documentation of eligibility determinations. These regulations are effective June 3, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 29, 2024 - The Missouri Department of Social Services announced the approval of a waiver amendment allowing for full deployment of the Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) pilot project. This primary care case management model addresses social care challenges that affect people's ability to remain healthy and manage chronic conditions.
Source: Fox23
Mar 27, 2024 - Describes the Minnesota Bienvenido program, which provides support for rural Latino workers who are in high stress jobs with few support structures. Installments help participants connect with the community and learn skills to help manage stress and other emotions.
Source: MinnPost
Mar 21, 2024 - A charitable donation to a community health center system will increase access to ultrasound technology in Montana and Wyoming as well as train healthcare workforce on new sonography technology. Discusses workforce shortages and the impact of new technology on health outcomes in rural and frontier areas.
Source: Cowboy State Daily
Mar 20, 2024 - Profiles a rural Oregon hospital expanding services to include specialty care. Notes the importance placed on healthcare access for people looking to move to a community.
Source: KPTV
Mar 7, 2024 - Reports on financial struggles for rural hospitals across the country leading to department and facility closures and many more at risk of closure. Highlights common rural health disparities and notes the impact of closures on rural communities. Discusses the impact of various policies on rural hospitals including Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement as well as the Rural Emergency Hospital designation.
Source: KFF Health News
Mar 1, 2024 - Discusses rural hospital closures in Oklahoma. Notes the impact of Medicare reimbursements, Medicaid expansion, and the Rural Emergency Hospital designation on rural hospital stability.
Source: News on 6
Last Updated: 4/22/2024