Hot Topics: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Introduction

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), signed into law on Tuesday, February 17th, 2009, contains more than $787 billion in spending and tax cuts through programs expected to aid in immediate economic recovery, with many programs expected to contribute to long-term economic growth. Recipients of ARRA funding are required to provide periodic reports to the Federal government. This guide focuses on ARRA news, events, documents, funding opportunities, and tools related to rural America. The key websites listed here offer general information, current and comprehensive news releases, state funding programs, and legislative actions that potentially affect all Americans and the future of the economy.

National-level Information:
Recovery.gov
FederalReporting.gov
USDA.Gov: Recovery
Recovery Act Funding for Health Professions, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Department of Health and Human Services: Recovery
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Jobs
Government Accountability Office Bimonthly Reports

State-level Information:
StateRecovery.org
State Recovery Web Sites, HHS
Recovery Act (ARRA): Community Health Center Grants by State, HHS
Recovery Act (ARRA): State Funding, HHS
National Conference of State Legislatures

See the Tools section of this guide for additional web sites

Analysis Finds Stimulus Confusion
Nov 18, 2009 -- USA TODAY reviewed several stimulus reports to determine the number of jobs created or saved per stimulus dollar. The review found 14 recipients that reported saving or creating more than 100 jobs for less than $1,500 per job suggesting they overreported the number of jobs.

HHS Strengthens HIPAA Enforcement
Nov 2, 2009 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an interim final rule with request for comments last week to strengthen its enforcement of the rules promulgated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Notice of Funding Availability for Refinance Assistance Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009--Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program
Nov 2, 2009 -- This notice announces the Rural Housing Service intent to prioritize $400 million in funding that was previously made available in the Federal Register on July 23, 2009, for the refinance program to achieve the maximum amount of debt relief to existing borrowers and keep the borrowers in their homes, thereby, achieving long-term financial stability consistent with the goals of the Recovery Act.

HIPAA Administrative Simplification: Enforcement Interim Final Rule; Request for Comments
Oct 30, 2009 -- Comments are being requested by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the adoption of this interim final rule to conform the enforcement regulations promulgated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) to the effective statutory revisions made pursuant to the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (the HITECH Act), which was enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Highlights Recovery Act Efforts to Bolster Healthcare Infrastructure in Rural America
Oct 15, 2009 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced USDA is providing $30 million for 36 community facilities projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, many of which are for healthcare facilities.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Brings Obama Administration's 'Rural Tour' to South Dakota
Oct 6, 2009 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited the Jim Hundstad Farm today and held a 'Rural Tour' community forum to discuss efforts by the Obama Administration to rebuild and revitalize rural America, listen to local residents talk about how the federal government can assist them, and discuss solutions to challenges facing their communities.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Brings Obama Administration 'Rural Tour' to New Mexico
Oct 1, 2009 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds today and held a 'Rural Tour' community forum to discuss efforts by the Obama Administration to rebuild and revitalize rural America, listen to local residents talk about how the federal government can assist them, and discuss solutions to challenges facing their communities.

Secretary Sebelius Releases New Success Story Report: Health Information Technology Strengthens Care in Rural Communities
Oct 1, 2009 -- HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released a report on how health information technology can improve health care for Americans living in rural communities.

Top Obama Administration Officials Hold 'Rural Tour' Community Forum in Nebraska
Sep 29, 2009 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar visited the Scottsbluff National Monument today and held a 'Rural Tour' community forum to discuss production agriculture as well as efforts by the Obama Administration to rebuild and revitalize rural America,

Regulations, Forms & Other Useful Documents

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Frequently Asked Questions
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
Answers initial questions about several sections of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) with the most direct impact on health centers and the patients they serve. Includes contact information for NACHC staff who can provide additional guidance.
Date: 2009

Child Tax Credit Expansion Increases Number of Families Eligible for a Refund
Author(s): Marybeth J. Mattingly
Sponsoring organization: Carsey Institute
Reports that more than 500,000 rural families, or almost 9 percent of rural families, will become newly eligible for the Child Tax Credit under the expansion included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Date: 2009

Crunch Continues: Medicaid Spending, Coverage and Policy in the Midst of a Recession
Author(s): Vernon K. Smith, Kathleen Gifford, Eileen Ellis
Sponsoring organization: Kaiser Family Foundation
Dissects annual 50-state survey, which finds that the number of people on Medicaid and state spending on the program are climbing sharply as a result of the recession, straining state budgets and pressuring officials to curb costs despite increased financial help from the federal government through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
Date: 09 / 2009

HIT Incentives and State Grant Opportunities: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Resource Center
Describes the Health Information Technology (HIT) Incentives and State Grant Opportunities from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 HITECH Act.
Date: 2009

Rural Health and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Rural Health Provisions Booklet or Full Summary)
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
Summarizes the funding available for rural communities through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Full Summary includes a table of contents.
Date: 2009

Tools

American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Rural Resources
Web site
Provides a listing of opportunities available to rural California communities through the ARRA of 2009.
Sponsoring organization: California State Rural Health Association

Authoritative Resources on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)
Web site
Designed to assist in responding to a broad range of constituent questions and concerns about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), P.L. 111-5. Includes links to the full text of the act, Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates, White House fact sheets, and federal, state, and municipal government websites.
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service

Health Professions Programs: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Section 1512 Reporting
Technical assistance
Provides recovery grantee reporting assistance for HRSA health professions programs.
Sponsoring organization: Bureau of Health Professions

Rural Development: Implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)
Web site
Describes grant and loan programs available through USDA Rural Development as part of the ARRA. Programs support community facilities, broadband initiatives, business and industry, and 502 home loans. Includes information on application procedures, eligibility requirements, and how to contact your State Rural Development Office.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Rural Development

Funding

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Health Information Technology Extension Program: Regional Centers
Grants to establish Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers to offer technical assistance, guidance and information on best practices to support and accelerate health care providers’ efforts to become users of Electronic Health Records.

American Recovery Reinvestment Act of 2009 Communities Putting Prevention to Work
Funding to reduce risk factors, prevent/delay chronic disease, promote wellness in children and adults, and provide positive, sustainable health change in communities.

FY 2009 EDA American Recovery Program Pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Grants that will promote comprehensive, entrepreneurial and innovation-based economic development efforts.

Green Retrofit Program for Multifamily Housing Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Grants for eligible property owners to make energy and green retrofit investments in the property, to ensure the maintenance and preservation of the property, the continued operation and maintenance of energy efficiency technologies.

Stimulus Assistance: USDA Rural Development Programs
Grant, loan, and loan guarantee assistance to rural residents, rural communities, and rural utility systems.

Inactive Funding

Inactive Funding Opportunities - Lists additional funding programs for this topic that are not currently accepting applications. Programs that are inactive may be offered again in the future.