News stories via the Rural Assistance Center This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Biden-Harris Administration Releases National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and First-Ever Federal Action Plan
Announces the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy) and the associated Federal Action Plan, a plan developed by 10 federal departments. The National Strategy offers recommendations for addressing needs for at-risk populations. Highlights suicide rate disparities for various race and ethnicities. Includes links to the National Strategy, the Federal Action Plan, and other resources for mental healthcare access and substance abuse services. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - April 23, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Biden Administration Sets Higher Staffing Mandates. Most Nursing Homes Don't Meet Them.
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: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - April 22, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Biden-Harris Administration Takes Historic Action to Increase Access to Quality Care, and Support to Families and Care Workers
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: News stori...
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - April 22, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Rural Communities Face Primary Care Physician Shortage
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: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - April 22, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Rural Jails Turn to Community Health Workers To Help the Newly Released Succeed
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: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - April 22, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Miles for Milk: How Student-Run Grocery Store Reshaped Rural Community's Food Access
Highlights a program in a rural Nebraska school addressing access to food in the community. A partnership between the school and the village offers a non-profit grocery store that is run by the students and managed by the business teacher. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - April 18, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Native Americans Have Shorter Life Spans, and It's Not Just Due to Lack of Health Care
Discusses the social and economic factors contributing to early mortality for Native Americans. Highlights community health workers, food insecurity, generational trauma, and interventions attempting to reduce disparities. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - April 15, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Promotoras Play Essential Role in Connecting Farmworkers with Health Care in Rural NorCal
Highlights the work of promotoras in rural Northern California including assisting eligible residents with enrolling in Medicaid. Discusses the impact of Health Provider Shortage Areas (HPSAs) on healthcare access, policy, and insurance access for undocumented farmworkers. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - April 10, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Using Medicaid to Address Young People's Mental Health Needs in School Settings
Discusses the need for mental health services in schools and how states around the country have used Medicaid reimbursement to fund those services. Notes recent policy changes that have made this possible and highlights challenges that remain in using Medicaid reimbursement, particularly for rural school districts. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - April 10, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Across the Country, Amish Populations Are on the Rise
Discusses population trends for Amish communities based on the need for land and healthcare. Notes that some rare genetic diseases are present in Amish populations and discusses healthcare access challenges related to insurance status and transportation. Highlights an Ohio clinic primarily treating Amish patients. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - April 10, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Sunsets, Wildlife and Limited Care: Challenges of Aging in Place in Rural America
Describes the needs of older adults in rural communities, discussing access to support services, healthcare, and social engagement. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - April 9, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

City-Country Mortality Gap Widens amid Persistent Holes in Rural Health Care Access
Discusses the mortality rate disparity between rural and urban residents following recent research showing the gap has widened to 43% in 2019 from 6% in 1999 for adults between 25 and 54. Offers analysis by experts on causes of this disparity including social vulnerability factors, community vitality, and insurance rates. Discusses the potential impact of COVID-19 on current mortality rates. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - April 8, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Tribal Environmental Impact Network
Announces the Tribal Environmental Impact Network (TEIN), a cohort of professionals interested in environmental issues in tribal communities. Areas include environmental health, climate, emergency response, transportation, and more. TEIN will offer technical assistance in accessing funding opportunities. Includes an interest form for experts interested in participating. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - April 7, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Minnesota's Rural Ambulance Providers Look to State Capitol for Their Own Lifeline
Discusses challenges with offering ambulance services in rural Minnesota including reimbursement and funding models, a volunteer workforce, and large service areas. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - April 5, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Biden-Harris Administration Takes Action to Support the Primary Care Workforce
Announces an increase in loan repayment amounts available through the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Notes the program aims to reduce primary care provider shortages in rural and other areas. Also highlights previous work to support the primary care workforce. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - April 4, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news