The RUPRI Health Panel offers in response to the Committee on Ways and Means Request for Information regarding Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Areas. The comments focus on all five topics included in the RFI. The five topics include comments on: Geographic Payment Difference: The Panel recommends that changes to existing payment methodologies include elements addressing historical payment inequities affecting rural providers and reducing opportunities for abuse. Sustainable Provider and Facility Financing: Financing healthcare organizations through patient-generated re ..read more

The RUPRI Health Panel has offered comments and resources in response to the Physician-Focused Payment Model Request for Information (RFI) regarding rural participation in population-based total cost of care models. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation in HHS convenes the PTAC. Find the Comments Here The post RUPRI Health Panel Submits Comments to Physician-Focused Payment Model TA Committee. October 2023 appeared first on Rural Policy Research Institute ..read more

The RUPRI Health Panel responded to a CMS proposed rule CY 2024 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program. READ COMMENTS HERE The post RUPRI Health Panel Responds to CMS Proposed Rule on 2024 Physician Fee Schedule and Medicare Part B appeared first on Rural Policy Research Institute ..read more

The RUPRI Health Panel provided comments on the HHS 2023 Smoking Cessation Framework. Read the Comments Here. To be most impactful in rural communities, the Panel recommends a broader approach to tobacco cessation, not just smoking cessation. The prevalence of smokeless tobacco (e.g., snuff, dip, snus, and chewing tobacco) is higher in rural areas than urban areas, and cessation efforts should be inclusive of strategies specific to smokeless tobacco. Read the Comments Here The post RUPRI Health Panel Submits Comments on HHS Smoking Cessation Framework appeared first on Rural Policy Research In ..read more

The RUPRI Health Panel submitted comments on CMS-1785-P: Medicare Program: Proposed Hospital PPS for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital PPS and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2024 Rates Proposed Rule Read Comments HERE The post RUPRI Health Panel Submits Comments on Medicare PPS Proposed Rule appeared first on Rural Policy Research Institute ..read more

Keith Mueller presented State and National EMS Policy Recommendations at the 2023 National Rural EMS & Care Conference in April 2023. View Presentation Here The post Keith Mueller Presentation to the National Rural EMS & Care Conference. April 2023 appeared first on Rural Policy Research Institute ..read more

The National Advisory Committee on Rural Health & Human Services (NACRHHS) has released a new policy brief, Childcare Need & Availability in Rural Areas. The NACRHHS advises the Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services on health & human service challenges in rural America. The Committee members offer the following policy recommendations for rural childcare access and availability: Recommendation One: The Committee recommends the Secretary assess which Public Health Emergency (PHE) waivers should be extended to expand access to childcare services in rural areas. Re ..read more

The National Advisory Committee on Rural Health & Human Services (NACRHHS) released a policy brief and recommendations to the Secretary of HHS on Rural Emergency Medical Services. Read the Brief Here The NACRHHS examines pertinent issues that affect the health and well-being of rural Americans through discussions with rural stakeholders. Following each meeting, the Committee produces one or more policy briefs with recommendations and delivers them to the HHS Secretary.  The post National Advisory Committee on Rural Health & Human Services Releases Policy Brief & Recommendation ..read more

The RUPRI Health Panel has released a new brief, The Role of Telehealth in Achieving a High Performing Rural Health System: Priorities in a Post-Pandemic System, as a commentary on the preconditions for the optimum use of telehealth, looking at experiences of telehealth usage during the PHE. KEY CONSIDERATION The Panel continues to contribute to discussions of the optimum use of telehealth in health care delivery. Appropriate use of telehealth will advance the HPRHS. Conversely, ability to attract local consumers to distant providers may threaten local infrastructure by attracting insured pati ..read more

The RUPRI Health Panel has released a new Policy Brief, State-Based Recommendations to Support Rural Ambulance Agencies. State-Based Recommendations • To ensure access to emergency medical services (EMS) for all rural residents, state legislatures should designate EMS as an essential service and provide a portion of the funding necessary to support the costs of maintaining essential service designations. • State EMS advocacy organizations should promote, and support with educational grants, professional EMS management certification for rural and low-volume ambulance agency directors. • State-b ..read more