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You may also want to see this guide on a related topic: Patient Privacy

Introduction

The resources listed on this page have a broad focus. To find legislation and regulations on a specific topic, please consult the information guide for that topic.

Tools

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Hot Topic Information Guide
Web site
Key websites, news, and related resources on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 as they apply to rural America.
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center

Code of Federal Regulations
Web site
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. It is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation. Each volume of the CFR is updated once each calendar year and is issued on a quarterly basis.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

Directory of Rural Health Contacts: Congressional Committees and Advisory Bodies
Web site
Contact information for Congressional committees and advisory bodies of interest to the rural health community.
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center

Directory of Rural Health Contacts: House Rural Health Care Coalition
Web site
Contact information for members of the U.S. House of Representatives' Rural Health Care Coalition.
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center

Directory of Rural Health Contacts: Senate Rural Health Caucus
Web site
Contact information for U.S. Senators who are members of the Senate Rural Health Caucus.
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center

FederalReporting.gov
Web site
The central government-wide data collection system for Federal agencies and recipients of Federal awards under Section 1512 of the Recovery Act.
Sponsoring organization: White House

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

HHS.gov/Recovery
Web site
Provides information and resources on the programs invested in improving health and human services supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

HIPAA Information Guide
Web site
Information, resources and frequently asked questions related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for rural communities.
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center

Indian Health Legislation
Web site
Legislative tracking of federal bills related to Indian health, with a focus on the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA). While the sponsoring organization is focused on urban health, the legislation covered is relevant to tribal health in non-urban areas as well.
Sponsoring organization: National Council of Urban Indian Health

Main Street Project
Web site
Works to document the strengths and challenges facing people in increasingly diverse rural communities, give voice to their hopes and aspirations, and provide creative and practical tools to turn possibilities into realities.
Sponsoring organization: League of Rural Voters

Organizational Effectiveness Series Manuals Available for Download
Web site
A series of 14 organizational effectiveness manuals available for download in English and Spanish. Topics include: strategic planning, starting a nonprofit, program evaluation, board development, grantwriting, leadership development, volunteer management, technology development and needs assessment.
Sponsoring organization: National Minority AIDS Council

Rural Health Research: Legislation and regulation
Web site
Provides summaries of current and completed rural health research projects and related publications addressing the topic of legislation and regulation, produced by the Office of Rural Health Policy's funded rural health research centers.
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Research Gateway

THOMAS
Database
The THOMAS web site, a function of the Library of Congress, makes Federal legislative information freely available to the public. Its features include searchable databases of Congressional information, including bill text, committee information and the Congressional Record.
Sponsoring organization: Library of Congress

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Regions
Web site
Displays a color-coded map showing the ten designated HHS regions in the United States and Territories. Includes links and contact information for each region.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Regulations, Forms & Other Useful Documents

Americans with Disabilities Act: ADA Guide for Small Towns
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Justice
Presents an informal overview of some basic ADA requirements and provides cost effective tips on how small towns can comply with the ADA.
Date: 12 / 2005

Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005
This bill, from the Drug Enforcement Administration, responds to the illegal production, distribution, and use of methamphetamines in the United States. Governs the retail sale of all cough and cold medications that contain the methamphetamine precursor chemicals ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine.
Date: 08 / 2006

Compilation of Social Security Laws
Sponsoring organization: Social Security Administration
Compilation of the Social Security Laws including the Social Security Act, as amended, and related enactments through January 1, 2003.

Davis-Bacon Act: Public Law 107-217 - Aug. 21, 2002 [as amended]
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Labor
The Davis-Bacon Act, as amended, requires that each contract over $2,000 to which the United States or the District of Columbia is a party for the construction, alteration, or repair of public buildings or public works shall contain a clause setting forth the minimum wages to be paid to various classes of laborers and mechanics employed under the contract.
Date: 03 / 1931

Executive Order 13166: Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Justice
The Executive Order that requires Federal agencies to examine the services they provide, identify any need for services to those with limited English proficiency (LEP), and develop and implement a system to provide those services so LEP persons can have meaningful access to them.
Date: 08 / 2000

Health Center Quarterly Report (HCQR) Reporting Manual For the Quarter Ending December 31, 2009
Sponsoring organization: Bureau of Primary Health Care
This updated manual (third edition) supports submission of the Health Center Quarterly Report (HCQR) for health centers receiving funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
Date: 12 / 2009

NRHA 2008 Legislative and Regulatory Agenda
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
Outlines rural health care policy issues in order to promote legislative and regulatory issues for action by Congress, federal regulatory agencies, the White House, states, and the health care industry.
Date: 2007

Public Health Service Act, Section 330
Section 330 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act defines the requirements for Health Centers. Title 42 of the U.S. Code, Chapter 6A is the Public Health Service Act, and section 254b is the equivalent of Section 330 of the PHS Act.

Public Law 104-191: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
Contains the entire HIPAA law of August 21, 1996.
Date: 08 / 1996

Social Security Act, Section 1832 (a)(2)(D): Scope of Benefits
This section of the Social Security Act lists Rural Health Clinic and Federally Qualified Health Center services as within the scope of benefits.

Social Security Act, Section 1833 (f) and (h): Payment of Benefits
Payment limits for Rural Health Clinics and clinical laboratory services under the Social Security Act.

Social Security Act, Section 1861 (aa): Rural Health Clinic Services and Federally Qualified Health Center Services
Rural Health Clinic Services and Federally Qualified Health Center Services as defined in the Social Security Act. Scroll down to section (aa).

Social Security Act, Section 1902 (bb): State Plans for Medical Assistance
Part (bb) covers state plan requirements for payment for services for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers.

Social Security Act, Section 1905 (l): Definitions for RHCs and FQHCs
Definitions of terms used in the Social Security Act related to Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers.

State HIV Testing Laws
A compendium of State HIV laws that describes the policies, rules and regulations for standard and rapid HIV testing.
Date: 08 / 2007

State Mandates for Treatment for Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
Author(s): Gail K. Robinson, Jerome B. Connolly, Melanie Whitter, Candy A. Magaņa
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Reports on state-mandated benefits, state laws regulating mental health and addiction treatment workers, and state-recognized mental health clinicians with authority to prescribe psychotropic medications.
Date: 2007

State Rural Initiatives: Where the Money Comes From
Discusses how states are financing rural programs, projects and initiatives. Includes descriptions of over 40 programs, projects or initiatives that are statewide in scope.
Date: 01 / 2006

Successful Employer Implementation of the Federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
Author(s): Mark Attridg
Sponsoring organization: American Psychiatric Foundation
Designed to help employers with the implementation of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 requiring employers that offer mental health/addiction coverage to do so at parity to their offering of medical/surgical health care benefits.
Date: 12 / 2009

Text of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Senate
Text of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, PUBLIC LAW 101-336, JULY 26, 1990, 104 STAT. 327. An Act to establish a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability.
Date: 07 / 1990

Wait is Over, the Work Begins: Implementing the New TANF Legislation
Sponsoring organization: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices
Discusses new provisions in the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) and the impact these provisions will have on states' welfare programs.
Date: 06 / 2006

Workforce Investment Act of 1998
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Labor
Consolidates, coordinates, and improves employment, training, literacy, and vocational rehabilitation programs in the United States, and for other purposes.
Date: 1998

Journals

Federal Register
Official daily publication for Rules, Proposed Rules, and Notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as Executive Orders and other Presidential Documents. Among its numerous notices are notices of funding availability. Sponsoring organization: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

State Health Notes
Biweekly publication designed to deliver health information to state legislators and legislative staff. Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures

Organizations

Library of Congress (LC)
Federal government
The Library's mission is to make its resources available and useful to the Congress and the American people and to sustain and preserve a universal collection of knowledge and creativity for future generations.

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
National organization
National organization for state lawmakers and legislative staff members.

Terms & Acronyms

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) A civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in the areas of employment, transportation, telecommunications, and public accommodation.

Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Provides compensation for people who suffer personal injury due to negligent or wrongful action by federal employees. Replaces need for malpractice coverage for federal health care providers, including federally qualified health centers.

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Federal law that spells out broad mandates for services to all children with disabilities.

Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) The legislation that preceded TEA-21.

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) Legislation passed in 2003 that included significant Medicare reforms including a prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries and reimbursement improvements for rural healthcare facilities.

Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) Known as "welfare reform." PRWORA implemented a number of significant changes in the welfare system such as the imposition of time limits and work requirements on recipients, and the devolution of welfare program administration authority to state governments.

PHS 330 grantees Grant recipients under the Public Health Service Act Section 330, which includes Community Health Centers (CHC), Migrant Health Centers (MHC), Health Care for the Homeless (HCH), Public Housing Primary Care (PHPC), and Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities (HSHC).

Ryan White C.A.R.E. Act Through the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (C.A.R.E.) Act, health care and support services are provided for persons living with HIV/ AIDS. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) administers this Act. The metropolitan areas most affected by the HIV epidemic are awarded Title I grants to improve and expand health care. Title II grants to states and territories support health care and support services for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Title III(b) supports early intervention in clinical settings. Title IV supports services for women, children, adolescents, and families affected by the HIV epidemic. Part F of the Act supports Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) and AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETCs).

Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) TEA-21 authorized over $200 billion to improve the nation's transportation infrastructure, enhance economic growth and protect the environment. A wide array of environmental and water quality improvement projects were eligible for TE funding, including pollution abatement and mitigation projects.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Directs local areas to give priority for intensive training services to welfare recipients and other low-income individuals. These include the types of services that promote career advancement.

Workforce Investment Boards (WIB) The creation of local workforce investment boards (WIBs) is a major provision of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998, the federal legislation that consolidated scores of employment and training programs. WIBs are responsible for establishing local performance standards; chartering one stop service delivery centers and selecting qualified service providers, and monitoring performance to ensure accountability. They are prohibited from delivering services.

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Page last updated 1/20/2010
Topic last reviewed 5/27/2009

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