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Innovative Strategies in Rural Healthcare: Success Stories from Across America
Hospital leaders at the American Hospital Association Rural Health Care Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla., showcased local initiatives to recruit and retain health care professionals. Jefferson Healthcare in Port Townsend, Wash., addressed staffing challenges by creating nurse residency and workforce development programs, cross-training nurses, and developing apprentice programs, resulting in a 50% decrease in open positions. Ohio County HealthCare in Kentucky improved work-life balance by transitioning nursing staff to salaried employees, resulting in financial savings and increased retention. Hannibal Regional Healthcare System in Hannibal, Mo., implemented sign-on bonuses and educational assistance programs, while also training and employing students and those with disabilities, le...
Federal Communications Commission Announces Wind-Down Procedures for Affordable Connectivity Program
In response to a lack of additional funding from Congress, the Wireline Competition Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued an Order detailing wind-down procedures for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The program, aimed at providing discounted internet services to low-income households, faces termination due to funding depletion. The Order outlines significant dates, impacts on consumers and providers, and guidelines for the transition period. The Affordable Connectivity Program, which has been instrumental in providing discounted internet access to over 22 million low-income households across urban and rural areas, is set to exhaust its $14.2 billion funding. The FCC projects that April 2024 will be the last month for which the program can fully reimburs...
Request for Applications (RFA) for the Making Care Primary Model Now Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has taken a significant step towards enhancing healthcare with the release of a Request for Applications (RFA) outlining model payment, care delivery, quality, and other policies for the eagerly awaited Making Care Primary (MCP) Model. This promising initiative aims to elevate the standards of primary care, enabling participants to offer patients comprehensive, high-quality, whole-person care. As the Application Portal prepares to open later this month, CMS invites interested applicants to explore the comprehensive details provided in the RFA. A dedicated announcement will be made once the Application Portal becomes accessible. Making Care Primary Model – A Glimpse into the Future CMS introduced the groundbreaking Making Care Pri...
A Chance to Learn on Full Stomach
Author: Ederaldine Simon Mark Bordeau, the Executive Director of the Rural Health Network, stated that School meals are one of the government’s most powerful tools for delivering good nutrition to children. However, in June 2022, federal waivers that ensured free school meals for all students expired. More than 726,000 students in New York lost access to free meals. In other words, many students in rural communities will not have access to the most important meal of the day, breakfast. We all know how important it is to learn on a full stomach. Many studies show that food-insecure students are more likely to have lower grade-point averages, graduate late, and/or drop out of school when compared to their food-secure peers. It is unfair for students in rural communities in New York. Mark B...
Mitchell and Kevin on TV for AmeriCorps !
As AmeriCorps Week is celebrated across the United States, the Rural Health Network of South Central New York is proud to recognize two of its outstanding volunteers, Mitchell Brooks and Kevin Davidson. Mitchell Brooks serves as the AmeriCorps Program Coordinator for the Rural Health Service Corps. In this role, he has been instrumental in ensuring that the program runs smoothly and that volunteers have the support they need to make a positive impact in their communities. Mitchell has a passion for service and is always looking for ways to engage with volunteers and help them succeed in their roles. Kevin Davidson is a Farm to School Public Health AmeriCorps Member, and his work is focused on improving the health and well-being of children in rural communities. He has been working with loc...
State of Obesity 2022: Better Policies for a Healthier America
Trust for America’s Health’s (TFAH) 19th annual report on the nation’s obesity crisis found that 19 states have obesity rates over 35 percent, up from 16 states in 2021, and that social and economic factors are key drivers of increasing obesity rates. The report includes data by race, age, and state of residence and recommendations for policy action. Addressing obesity is critical because it is associated with a range of diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, sleep apnea, and some cancers. Obesity is estimated to increase U.S. healthcare spending by $170 billion annually (including billions by Medicare and Medicaid) See more here: https://www.tfah.org/report-details/state-of-obesity-2022/
NYSARH Member Spotlight: S2AY Rural Health Network Changes its Name to Pivital Public Health Partnership
New name reflects commitment to improving the health and well-being of Finger Lakes residents. S2AY Rural Health Network, a nonprofit leader in rural public health, has changed its name to Pivital Public Health Partnership. The organization’s Executive Director and Board of Directors joined with Public Health Directors from eight Finger Lakes counties to announce the name to its internal partners and stakeholders on April 20, 2022. Only Pivital Public Health Partnership unites local health departments in the Finger Lakes region to collaboratively develop and promote public health best practices. Their unique partnerships helps to accelerate improvements across the region by leveraging resources, expertise, and energy to achieve better outcomes than any one organization can achieve on thei...
National Government Services
As your Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC), National Government Services is dedicated to working with providers in the rural areas we serve. Our goal is to keep you informed about changes to Medicare and the training opportunities available to you. National Government Services Part A & B News 2021 Medicare Participating Physicians Directory Appropriate Usage of Modifier 99 Article Updates for February and March 2021 COVID-19 Vaccine and/or Monoclonal Antibodies in Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers Medicare Advantage Plan Beneficiaries Receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine and Monoclonal Antibody National Government Services Part B Medical Review Newsletter – March 2021 Practitioners: Are You Ordering Lower Limb Orthoses for Your Patients? Real Time Claim ...
New York State Medicaid Redesign Team 1115 Research & Demonstration Waiver Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Amendment Request
New York State Medicaid Redesign Team 1115 Research & Demonstration Waiver Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Amendment Request Public Comment The NYS Association for Rural Health (NYSARH) appreciates the opportunity to comment on the proposed Waiver Amendment. Introduction The New York State Association for Rural Health suggests that the 1115 Research & Demonstration Waiver include a ‘Rural Lens’. Promising Practices that work well in an urban environment may not translate to the 45 of 62 Counties (73%) that are rural. New York State defines a county as being rural if it has a population of less than 200,000. The scope of NYSARH includes the all rural counties in New York State. Fewer than 50,000 residents: Allegany, Cortland, Delaware, Essex, Greene, Hamilton, Lewis...
New York State Joint Commission on Rural Resources Public Hearing on Rural Broadband
RURAL BROADBAND INTERNET The NYS Association for Rural Health (NYSARH) appreciates the opportunity to comment on the issue of Rural Broadband. “Broadband is today what electricity was nearly a century ago – essential to creating economic opportunity, driving innovation, and an absolute necessity for our way of life.” Governor Andrew Cuomo New York has made some important policy changes and financial investments to improve internet coverage in rural areas: https://nysbroadband.ny.gov/new-ny-broadband-program/phase-3awards. However, broadband service remains inconsistent in many areas and is still unavailable to some. Moreover, the cost of broadband is prohibitive for many families, businesses and healthcare providers of limited financial means. In August 2019 the Federal Communication Commi...
Measurement Project Update: Nine Pilot Projects Chosen for Evaluation
Emma Nalin, MPH, MS Project Coordinator, Social Determinants of Health, Rural Health Network of South Central New York With funding from the NYS Health Foundation and Care Compass Network (CCN), Rural Health Network of SCNY is conducting a two-year project (2019-2020) to improve measurement of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) among rural community-based organizations (CBOs). As one of multiple activities in the project, consulting firm Germane Solutions evaluated SDOH measurement design for nine pilot projects. The resulting recommendations and return-on-investment tools will directly benefit pilot organizations in communicating the value of their SDOH interventions. The pilots target an array of health conditions with specific SDOH interventions, from addressing trauma in womenwith s...