Advocacy
Wider Access to Narcan Helps Rural Communities Fight Overdose Deaths
Source: PBS NewsHour (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/wider-access-to-narcan-helps-rural-communities-fight-overdose-deaths In a compelling effort to combat the rising tide of overdose deaths, rural communities across the nation are making significant strides with wider access to Narcan. According to a recent report by PBS NewsHour, the expanded availability of this life-saving medication is proving instrumental in saving lives and providing critical support to those affected by the opioid crisis. The PBS NewsHour report highlights the growing success of Narcan distribution programs in rural areas, where access to emergency medical services may be limited. The easy-to-use nasal spray, which contains the drug naloxone, can swiftly reverse the effects of opioid overdose, offering a vital wi...
New York State Issues Telepractice Guidance for Healthcare Providers
The New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions (OP) has released guidance for healthcare providers on the use of telepractice. The guidance is intended to help providers understand their legal and ethical responsibilities when using telepractice to deliver healthcare services. Telepractice, which involves the use of technology to deliver healthcare services remotely, has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially in rural areas where access to healthcare services can be limited. However, the use of telepractice raises unique legal and ethical issues that healthcare providers must consider. The OP’s guidance provides a comprehensive overview of the legal and ethical considerations for telepractice in New York State. It covers topics such as lice...
Study Shows Rural Areas Continue to Struggle
New York continues to see a decline in population, with rural counties being hit the hardest, according to a report commissioned by the Rural Housing Coalition. The State of Rural New York report highlights that the population loss is twice the rate of urban counties, with Chenango, Delaware, Franklin, Herkimer, Madison, and Schoharie County experiencing the biggest losses between 2010 and 2020. Schoharie County, in particular, suffered a 9.3% decline in population. The report also reveals that rural populations have a higher average age and lower education levels than their urban counterparts, and have lost more job opportunities than urban counties. This situation is further compounded by the aging housing stock and high cost of accessibility modifications for seniors, making it challeng...
Gillibrand Announces Over $130 Million In Federal Funding
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand secured over $130 million in federal funding to help assist and revitalize New York’s health care system. The announcement was made during a video press conference. $42.3 million in federal funding specifically for maternal health. This funding will be used to support maternal health care services and address the maternal mortality and postpartum depression crisis in the nation $50 million in federal funding to bolster the community health care workforce. This funding will be used to support public health jobs and infrastructure in New York and across the country. $9.2 million in federal funding for Academic Centers for Public Health Preparedness. This funding will support academic institutions that have Centers for Public Health Preparedness. $47 million ...
The State of Rural Upstate New York
Cornell University Professor, John W. Sipple and PhD students Peter Fiduccia, Kate Foster, and Kristie LeBeau recently presented at the 2022 Rural Alliance Symposium. Their presentation focused on data for rural New York and covered the following topics: population change, education, housing, employment, internet access, and public health. View their slides here: The State of Rural New York-Cornell
NYS Budget Summary
NYS Budget Summary Thanks to the federal American Rescue Plan, the New York State enacted budget is largely the opposite of the austerity plan presented back in January. Thanks to the advocacy of NYSARH members and our many partners, key elements of our priorities are included in the new budget. Restoration of funding for Rural Health Networks and Rural Health Care Access Hospitals to the SFY21 level of $9,410,000 plus $1,100,000 appropriation; Restoration of funding for the Area Health Education Centers to SFY20 level of $2,200,000 after being cut out of the SFY21 budget; Funding and regulatory reforms to increase access to Telehealth and Broadband; new $15/month internet plan for low-income families; Changes to the 340B Medicaid pharmacy benefit program are delayed to 2023; Most public ...
#GetTickedOff
Watch the first-ever virtual #GetTickedOff forum, in conjunction with the Office of Assemblymember William Magnarelli, theThe Central New York Lyme Alliance, and the Dutchess County Tick Task Force. To access the event, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/6QTIDc7jiTrIBBF2Nzt1uVFwj5dh14Z6CnP7FWRxXI9CUA3cQY-MNuET-FkEsRtL.m2bgylD5w5gFZEx6?startTime=1611871511000 Password: rg#6D7R#
NYSARH in Action: NRHA’s Rural Health Policy Institute in Washington
The NYSARH delegation joined over 450 fellow rural health stakeholders from across the United States in Washington, D.C. for NRHA’s 30th Rural Health Policy Institute. The NYSARH team met with Representatives Brindisi, Collins, Delgado, and Katko in person and with staff representing Representatives Higgins, Maloney, Morelle, Reed, Stefanik, and Tonko, and with staff representing Senators Schumer and Gillibrand. We shared packets with staff from Representatives Lowey, Ocasio-Cortez, and Rose. If you use Twitter, please follow @NRHA_Advocacy and NRHA on Twitter and include #RuralHealth in all your tweets to keep the issues NRHA fights for at the forefront of the national conversation with colleagues and representatives.
NYSARH in Action: Rural Health Advocacy in Albany
The NYSARH Policy Committee organized Advocacy Day earlier in the season than we have in previous years. Volunteers met with 19 Committee Chairs and leadership staff including Speaker Heastie, Minority Leader Kolb, Chair of Senate Health Gustavo Rivera, and Chair of Assembly Health Dick Gottfried. We appreciate the warm welcome we received from Senators Rachel May, Chair, and Pamela Helming, Ranking Member, Legislative Commission on Rural Resources. Thanks to our panel of speakers who presented the morning briefing: Jill Kasow, Legislative Commission of Rural Resources Karen Roach & Jim Clancy, Healthcare Association of NYS Lacey Clarke, Community Health Care Association of NYS Glenn Liebman, Mental Health Association of NYS Harvey Rosenthal, NY Association Psychiatric Rehabilitation ...
NRHA’s Rural Health Policy Institute
Join NRHA and rural health advocates from across the nation for the largest, and arguably the most important, rural advocacy event in the country, NRHA’s Rural Health Policy Institute, February 5th-7th in D.C. You’ll have the chance to: Hear from top members of the Trump Administration and leading members of Congress on their plans to make health care work in rural America; Speak directly with your Congressional delegation on Capitol Hill to tell them of the challenges in your rural community. Register for the conference here.
2018 County Health Rankings
Summary of findings from University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute: After nearly a decade of improvement, there are early signs that the percentage of babies born at low birth weight may be on the rise (8.2% in 2016, a 2% increase from 2014). Low birth weight is a key measure of health and quality of life. Some places and groups of people have fewer social and economic opportunities, which also limit their ability to be healthy. More than 1 out of every 5 youth in the bottom performing counties do not graduate from high school in four years. For American Indian/Alaskan Native, Black, and Hispanic youth, it is 1 out of 4. Residential segregation provides a clear example of the link between race and place. Black residents have higher rates of child poverty, low birth weight, and in...
Albany Advocacy Day: Join Our Team!
Albany Advocacy Day is Tuesday, February 13th! Please plan to join fellow members for an in-person Advocacy Day on February 13, 2018. We will be meeting at 9am in Room 211 in the Legislative Office Building. (Please note, we may use the offices of the Commission on Rural Resources as a ‘home base’ during the day.) Members are responsible for setting up their own appointments. Contact Sara Wall Bollinger who is maintaining the master list to join the NYSARH team or to get further information. This is a great opportunity to network with colleagues while being the Voice for Rural New York, don’t miss out!