News Archive

News from the past 15-90 days.

Comment Request for Information Collection for the H-1B Technical Skills Training (H-1B) and the H-1B Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge (JIAC) Grant Programs, New Collection     Federal Register 
Jan 23, 2012 -- The Employment and Training Administration is requesting comments on a new information collection proposed to meet the reporting, recordkeeping and program evaluation requirements of both H-1B grant programs.

Loan Repayment Program for Repayment of Health Professions Educational Loans; Announcement Type: Initial     Top Story      Federal Register 
Jan 23, 2012 -- The Indian Health Service (IHS) announces, subject to the appropriation of funds, funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 for the IHS Loan Repayment Program for health professional educational loans in return for full-time clinical service in Indian health programs.
Learn more about: Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program for Repayment of Health Professions Educational Loans

Morality and Cake Pans: The Rural Library     Top Story 
Jan 23, 2012 -- Daily Yonder article publishes a review of a new historical study of rural libraries in the Midwest, that were begun to cultivate 'respectability' and have endured by satisfying local tastes.

USDA Invites Applications for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects     Top Story      Federal Register 
Jan 23, 2012 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting     Federal Register 
Jan 23, 2012 -- The Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee will conduct a telephone conference call meeting on Monday, January 30, 2012, in Washington, DC. The meeting is open to the public.

Death Valley Students Face Loss of Lifeline
Jan 20, 2012 -- Los Angeles Times, (CA) article reports that California has pulled funding for school transportation for the rest of this fiscal year and may eliminate it entirely next year. In Death Valley, where some students have a two-hour round trip, the cut is 'catastrophic.'

FY2012 Drug Free Communities Support Program Request for Applications Released     Top Story 
Jan 20, 2012 -- The Office of National Drug Control Policy announces the release of the FY2012 Drug Free Communities Request for Applications, to establish and strengthen collaboration to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth.
Learn more about: Drug Free Communities Support Program

HHS Releases More than $863 Million to Help Low - Income Households with Energy Costs Stay Safe and Healthy     Top Story 
Jan 20, 2012 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released more than $863 million yesterday to grantees to help low-income households with their heating and other home energy costs under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Land Contract Guarantee Program Launched Nationwide
Jan 20, 2012 -- Center for Rural Affairs article reports that the Farm Service Agency has announced that the Land Contract Guarantee Program, that provides federal loan guarantees to retiring farmers and landowners who self-finance the sale of their land to beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, is now available nationwide.

Notice of Funding Availability for the Rural Energy for America Program     Top Story      Federal Register 
Jan 20, 2012 -- This NOFA announces the acceptance of applications under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for Fiscal Year 2012 for financial assistance as follows: grants, guaranteed loans, and combined grants and guaranteed loans for the development and construction of renewable energy systems and for energy efficiency improvement projects; grants for conducting energy audits; grants for conducting renewable energy development assistance; and grants for conducting renewable energy system feasibility studies.
Learn more about: Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Under the Rural Energy for America Program

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Streamlines Access to Energy Investment Information at USDA     Top Story 
Jan 19, 2012 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the launch of a USDA energy website that will provide stakeholders fast and efficient access to USDA energy efficiency and renewable energy data.

HIT Policy Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting     Federal Register 
Jan 19, 2012 -- This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of a public advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The meeting will be held on February 1, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m./Eastern Time, and will be open to the public.

HIT Standards Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting     Federal Register 
Jan 19, 2012 -- This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of a public advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The meeting will be held on February 29, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m./Eastern Time and will be open to the public.

Inside a Critical Access Hospital's IT Decision - Making Process     Top Story 
Jan 19, 2012 -- HealthLeaders Media article tells how the president and CEO of Ellenville Regional Hospital in Ellenville, NY, went about choosing an electronic health record (EHR) vendor for his small critical access hospital.

Loan Law Does Not Aid Rural Areas
Jan 19, 2012 -- San Angelo Standard-Times, (TX) article reports that efforts to make a state economic development program easy to use for rural Texas might have hit a speed bump.

National Advisory Council on Migrant Health; Notice of Meeting     Federal Register 
Jan 19, 2012 -- The National Advisory Council on Migrant Health will hold a public meeting on February 7 - 8, 2012, in Arlington, Virginia. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss services and issues related to the health of migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families and to formulate recommendations for the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

National Report Finds One - in - Five Americans Experienced Mental Illness in the Past Year     Top Story 
Jan 19, 2012 -- A new national report reveals that 45.9 million American adults aged 18 or older, or 20 percent of this age group, experienced mental illness in the past year according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

New Study Shows Investing in Mobile Broadband will Create Jobs
Jan 19, 2012 -- RCA article reports that leading U.S. economists Rob Shapiro and Kevin Hassett released a new paper, “The Employment Effects of Advances in Internet and Wireless Technology: Evaluating the Transitions from 2G to 3G and from 3G to 4G,” which shows that investments and innovation in the transition from 3G to 4G technologies could add more than 231,000 new jobs to the U.S. economy in less than a year.

Amendments to Regulations Regarding Eligibility for a Medicare Prescription Drug Subsidy     Federal Register 
Jan 18, 2012 -- This final rule from the Social Security Administration adopts, without change, the interim final rule with request for comments published in the Federal Register on December 29, 2010. The interim final rule incorporated changes to the Medicare prescription drug coverage low-income subsidy (Extra Help) program made by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act enacted in March 2010.

Announcement of the Requirements and Registration for the Healthy New Year Challenge     Federal Register 
Jan 18, 2012 -- The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology is announcing the launch of the Healthy New Year Challenge, an open call for people nationwide to create and submit short videos that capture New Year's resolutions geared towards improving their health or the health of a loved one through the use of technology. Cash prizes will be awarded.
Learn more about: Healthy New Year Challenge

CDC: Adult, Childhood Obesity Rates Unchanged in 2009 - 10     Top Story 
Jan 18, 2012 -- AHA News Now article reports that about 36% of adults and 17% of children were obese in 2009 - 2010, the same as in 2007 - 2008, according to a report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Medicaid Program; Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments - Uninsured Definition     Federal Register 
Jan 18, 2012 -- This proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addresses the hospital-specific limitation on Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments under the Social Security Act.

Oregon is National Leader in Electronic Health Record Adoption     Top Story 
Jan 18, 2012 -- MarketWatch article reports that over 2700 individual Oregon primary care providers are participating in a federal grant to help them purchase and more effectively use their Electronic Health Record to improve patient care and advance health reform.

USDA Rural Development: Helping to Put Americans to Work     Top Story 
Jan 18, 2012 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack yesterday provided highlights of USDA Rural Development fiscal year (FY) 2011 investments in job-creating businesses, infrastructure and housing for Americans living in rural communities across the nation.

White House Outlines Progress, Plans of Its Rural Council     Top Story 
Jan 18, 2012 -- NRHA Rural Health Voices blog reports that six months after President Barack Obama created the White House Rural Council to address challenges in rural America, the National Rural Health Association’s Rural Roads magazine asked Doug McKalip, White House senior policy advisor for rural affairs, to explain how the council has and hopes to impact rural health.

Economy Hurting Rural Hospitals
Jan 17, 2012 -- GPB News, (GA) article reports that hospitals in Georgia are suffering under the weight of the sluggish economy, and the financial strain is especially heavy for smaller, rural medical centers.

Homelessness a Growing, Hidden Problem in Rural Wisconsin
Jan 17, 2012 -- Wisconsin State Journal article discusses the growing problem of rural homelessness in Wisconsin and how three largely rural counties — Forest, Marathon and Oneida — had the largest growth of homeless families, while another rural county, Columbia, had the largest growth in chronic homelessness.

Initiative Aims to Add Doctors in Rural Oklahoma
Jan 17, 2012 -- Oklahoman Print Replica article reports that an initiative designed to combat a shortage of doctors in rural Oklahoma is headed to the state Legislature.

MedPAC Discusses Rural Payment Report     Top Story 
Jan 17, 2012 -- AHA News Now reports that the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission last week discussed its mandated report on rural health care provider payment adequacy, due to Congress in June. The commission discussed access to services, quality of care, payment adjustments and payment adequacy in rural areas, stating that Medicare's rural payment policy has largely been successful.

Rural - Area Nurses Provide Critical Care
Jan 17, 2012 -- Topeka Capital-Journal, (KS) article discusses how nurses in rural hospitals must have a variety of skills.

Staci Covey to Chair Association's Small or Rural Hospitals Governing Council     Top Story 
Jan 17, 2012 -- AHA News Now article reports that Staci Covey, president of Guthrie’s Troy Community Hospital in Troy, Pa., will lead the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Section for Small or Rural Hospitals in 2012, a 22-person governing council that represents small or rural hospitals in the AHA’s policy process and member services initiatives.

Store Closing? No Problem in Cambridge     Top Story 
Jan 17, 2012 -- Daily Yonder article tells how the rural community of Cambridge, Nebraska came together to open the local investor - owned Cambridge General Store after their regional retailer closed.

Telemedicine Helps HIV Patients in Rural Areas
Jan 17, 2012 -- CBS 8 News, (AL) article tells of a new Alabama eHealth Initiative whereby doctors can meet with patients in rural areas three days a week using high-resolution web cameras.

2012 Rural Health Awards Nominations     Top Story 
Jan 13, 2012 -- The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) announces that the deadline for nominations for their Rural Health Awards, that honor outstanding individuals and organizations in the field of rural health at their annual conference, is February 8, 2012.

Affordable Care Act Holding Insurers Accountable for Premium Hikes     Top Story 
Jan 13, 2012 -- Health insurance premium increases in five states have been deemed “unreasonable” by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced yesterday.

Colorado Wins $26.1 Million Bonus for Making Public Health Care Programs Work Better for Kids
Jan 13, 2012 -- Colorado Trust article reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded Colorado $26.1 million for implementing five policies that have boosted the number of kids covered in public insurance programs, while helping the state stretch precious taxpayer dollars.

MedPAC Approves Hospital Payment Recommendations with Changes
Jan 13, 2012 -- AHA News Now article reports that the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission has recommended Congress provide an update of 1.0% for fiscal year 2013 inpatient and outpatient hospital payments. It also recommended equalizing Medicare payment rates for non-emergency evaluation and management services between hospital outpatient departments and physician office settings by reducing hospital outpatient department payments for E/M clinic visits by more than 70%.

Rural Health: eEmergency System Provides Help in 20 Seconds     Top Story 
Jan 13, 2012 -- Tri-State Neighbor, (SD) tells how the eEmergency system of Avera Health in Sioux Falls is entering its third year, and has no plans to slow down as it expands and continues to help smaller rural facilities - and a few larger ones - in six states provide more efficient and timely patient care in emergency rooms.

USDA Closures Include Offices that Help Rural Americans Get Affordable Mortgages     Top Story 
Jan 13, 2012 -- Housing Assistance Council article reports that U.S. Department of Agriculture's new "Blueprint for Stronger Service" plan announced this week will make it harder for rural Americans to buy homes, according to rural housing experts.

CBO Estimates Savings from Raising Medicare Eligibility Age     Top Story 
Jan 12, 2012 -- AHA News Now article reports that raising the ages at which people can collect Medicare and Social Security would reduce federal spending and increase federal revenues by inducing some people to work longer, according to an analysis released yesterday by the Congressional Budget Office.

Electronic Banking Could Save Health System $4.5 Billion
Jan 12, 2012 -- American Medical News article reports that a new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regulation sets a framework for electronic fund transfers that should cut down on administrative time and money spent on processing paper checks, officials said.

Family Physicians Can Expect Immediate Changes in Medicare Payment for 2012
Jan 12, 2012 -- AAFP News Now article reports that despite Congress' last-minute move to temporarily forestall a 27.4 percent Medicare physician pay cut scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, all other components of the final 2012 Medicare physician fee schedule took effect on that date, meaning that family physicians likely will notice slight changes in their Medicare payment rates this year.

Fork in the Road Drives the Grocery Store to Food Deserts
Jan 12, 2012 -- Co.Exist article tells of an organization called Fork in the Road that sells produce and staple pantry items in low-income areas, but it also goes beyond just presenting people with healthy options, it also helps people overcome their fears about healthy eating by providing advice and meal planning.

Idaho State University Institute of Rural Health Receives National Institute of Mental Health Grant
Jan 12, 2012 -- Idaho State University article reports that Idaho State University's Institute of Rural Health has received a $22,500 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to serve as the agency's Outreach Partner for Idaho.

Medicare Program; Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Benefit Programs: Negotiated Pricing and Remaining Revisions; Prescription Drug Benefit Program: Payments to Sponsors of Retiree Prescription Drug Plans     Federal Register 
Jan 12, 2012 -- This final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implements and finalizes provisions regarding the reporting of gross covered retiree plan-related prescription drug costs (gross retiree costs) and retained rebates by Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS) sponsors; and the scope of waiver authority under the Social Security Act (the Act).

Rural Hospitals Band Together for Insurance-Buying Power     Top Story 
Jan 12, 2012 -- HealthLeaders Media article tells how a group of rural hospitals in Texas are working together to purchase insurance at lower prices.

Upsurge in Rural Student Poverty Rates, Diversity, Enrollment     Top Story 
Jan 12, 2012 -- PRNewswire article via MarketWatch discusses how rural schools are showing increasing rates of poverty, diversity, and students with special needs according to Why Rural Matters 2011-12 a biennial report by the Rural School and Community Trust.

CDC: One in Six U.S. Adults Binge Drink
Jan 11, 2012 -- AHA News Now article reports that an estimated 38 million U.S. adults binge drink, consuming an average eight alcoholic beverages per occasion, according to a report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

HRSA's Wakefield on CHCs, ACOs and Strengthening the Health Workforce     Top Story 
Jan 11, 2012 -- Medscape Today News interviews Mary Wakefield, administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), on the Affordable Care Act and how it will impact Community Health Centers (CHCs), as well as discussing the National Health Service Corps and Teaching Health Centers.

HUD Makes $110 Million Available to Revitalize Communities     Top Story 
Jan 11, 2012 -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it is making available $110 million in grants to transform public and assisted housing and to revitalize communities.

HUD Makes $2 Million Available for Housing Counseling Training     Top Story 
Jan 11, 2012 -- As part of its continuing effort to provide quality housing counseling to the nation's homeowners, buyers and renters, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced the availability of $2 million in grants for housing counseling training.
Learn more about: Housing Counseling Training Program

Largest Annual Wheelchair Sports Event in the World Returning to Richmond this June
Jan 11, 2012 -- Registration is open for the 32nd National Veterans Wheelchair Games, the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world. More than 500 Veterans from across the United States, Puerto Rico and Great Britain are expected to compete in the Games, taking place June 25-30, 2012, in Richmond, Va. – the site of the very first National Veterans Wheelchair Games held in 1981.

Legislative Bill on Table to Help Rural Pharmacies
Jan 11, 2012 -- Park Record, (UT) article tells of a bill that would even the playing field by allowing customers to better choose between local and mail-order pharmacies without worrying about paying more.

National Rural Health Resource Center Receives Contract to Provide Technical Assistance to Rural HIT Networks     Top Story 
Jan 11, 2012 -- The National Rural Health Resource Center, a national nonprofit organization based in Duluth, MN, reports that it has been awarded a three year, $1.2 million contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Office of Rural Health and Primary Care to provide technical assistance for the Rural Health Information Technology Network Development (RHITND) Grantees.

NRHA Welcomes 2012 Fellows     Top Story 
Jan 11, 2012 -- The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) announces that after the completion of a competitive review process, the 2012 fellows were selected to participate in this year-long, intensive program aimed at developing leaders who can articulate a clear and compelling vision for rural America.

Proven Program Helps Create Rural Jobs     Top Story 
Jan 11, 2012 -- Center for Rural Affairs article reports that in two short years the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP), administered through USDA, has proven to be a solid job creator in rural America by providing loan capital and technical assistance grants to small business development organizations to make loans and provide support to startup and existing rural businesses.

Rural Hospital Overcomes Hurdles, Wins National Recognition
Jan 11, 2012 -- Morning Sentinel, (ME) article tells how not only is Redington-Fairview General Hospital one of the 100 best performing hospitals in the country, but it earned the designation despite the challenges of being in a rural, relatively isolated area, according to a recent study.

The Health Law Goes Graphic
Jan 11, 2012 -- Kaiser Health News reports that Jonathan Gruber, an economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has published a book, "Health Care Reform: What It Is, Why It's Necessary, How It Works," that explains the ins and outs of the law in an innovative way: an adult comic-strip form similar to graphic novels.

Administrative Simplification: Adoption of Standards for Health Care Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) and Remittance Advice     Federal Register 
Jan 10, 2012 -- This interim final rule with comment period from the Department of Health and Human Services implements parts of section 1104 of the Affordable Care Act which requires the adoption of a standard for electronic funds transfers (EFT). It defines EFT and explains how the adopted standards support and facilitate health care EFT transmissions.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Blueprint for Stronger Service to Increase Efficiency in USDA Operations     Top Story 
Jan 10, 2012 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must be built to meet the evolving needs of a 21st century agricultural economy, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Monday in presenting USDA's Blueprint for Stronger Service, a plan that helps producers continue to drive America's economy by streamlining operations and cutting costs.

Growth in U.S. Health Spending Remains Slow in 2010     Top Story 
Jan 10, 2012 -- U.S. spending on health care grew 3.9% in 2010 to $2.6 trillion, slightly surpassing the record-low 3.8% growth in 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reported today.

HHS Launches First Consumer Health IT Video Challenge of 2012     Top Story 
Jan 10, 2012 -- The National Coordinator for Health Information Technology yesterday announced a nationwide, open call for entries in the Healthy New Year Video Challenge, highlighting personal stories of patients and families using health technology to improve health.

National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services; Notice of Meeting     Top Story      Federal Register 
Jan 10, 2012 -- The National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services will hold a public meeting February 15-17, 2012, in Washington, D.C. to hear panel presentations on Affordable Care Act related provisions.

Q&A: Farzad Mostashari on Meaningful Use, Privacy     Top Story 
Jan 10, 2012 -- The national coordinator for health information technology at the Department of Health and Human Services, Farzad Mostashari, speaks with HealthLeaders Media about his top challenges in 2012.

Rural Counties Added 300,000 Jobs in 2011     Top Story 
Jan 10, 2012 -- Daily Yonder article reports the unemployment rate in rural America dropped to its lowest level since December of 2008, as rural counties continued to add jobs, with job growth particularly strong in the Southeast.

Teaming Up to Support Rural Community Colleges     Top Story 
Jan 10, 2012 -- Homeroom article reports that the agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture are working together to support community colleges as they provide postsecondary education and career training in rural areas. Links are provided to USDA grant programs that can be useful to rural community colleges.

What Health Care Looked Like: The Challenges of a Rural Physician     Top Story 
Jan 10, 2012 -- The Atlantic article shows previously unpublished photos shot by LIFE magazine's W. Eugene Smith after shadowing a general practitioner in Kremmling, Colorado for more than three weeks.

Coming Soon: Exercise by Prescription     Top Story 
Jan 9, 2012 -- Charlotte Observer, (SC) article tells how on a parallel track to the research into the optimal dose of exercise for each illness and each patient, some scientists are already studying the best way to deliver those future prescriptions of exercise.

Healthcare Created 314K Jobs in 2011     Top Story 
Jan 9, 2012 -- HealthLeaders Media article reports that healthcare created 22,600 jobs in December, finishing a strong year for job growth that saw 314,700 payroll additions in 2011.

Affordable Care Act Provision Cuts Red Tape, Saves up to $4.5 Billion     Top Story 
Jan 6, 2012 -- New standards for electronic funds transfers in health care, required by the Affordable Care Act, will reduce up to $4.5 billion off administrative costs for doctors and hospitals, private health plans, states, and other government health plans, over the next 10 years, according to estimates included in new rules published today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

HHS Adopts HIPAA Standard for Electronic Funds Transfers/Remittance Advice (CMS-0024-IFC) Action     Top Story 
Jan 6, 2012 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced an interim final rule with comment period under which the Department of Health and Human Services adopts standards for the Health Care Electronic Funds Transfers and Remittance Advice transaction under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless     Federal Register 
Jan 6, 2012 -- This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless

Applications for New Awards; Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program-Field Initiated Projects Program     Federal Register 
Jan 5, 2012 -- Grants are available from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services for Field-Initiated projects for research to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology for individuals with disabilities.
Learn more about: Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project and Centers Program -- Field Initiated Projects - Development

California Adds Patients to Health Insurance Rolls
Jan 5, 2012 -- Los Angeles Times, (CA) article reports that more than 6,000 Californians with preexisting conditions are getting coverage for medical care under a temporary program.

Doctors Going Broke     Top Story 
Jan 5, 2012 -- CNN Money article reports that half of all doctors in the nation operate a private practice, so if a cash crunch forces the death of an independent practice, it robs a community of a vital health care resource.

Medicaid Squeeze Could Squeeze Some Rural Hospitals to Death
Jan 5, 2012 -- ABC15.com, (AZ) article discusses how across Arizona, rural hospitals are facing “significant and irreversible harm," as the Medicaid-dependent facilities see already thin margins squeezed by Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System cuts to reimbursement rates and by swelling numbers of Medicaid and uninsured patients.

A Contest Gets Vermont Businesses Webby     Top Story 
Jan 4, 2012 -- Daily Yonder article tells how in rural Vermont, contests for the best new business applications on the web, plus training and mentoring, are improving scores local companies.

CMS's Proposed Hospital Staffing Revisions Get Cool Reception     Top Story 
Jan 4, 2012 -- HealthLeaders Media article reports that a rule proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to allow changes in the governance structure and medical staffing at hospitals has little support among the more than 100 public comments submitted.

Healthcare Professionals Selected for the New Innovation Advisors Program to Improve Care for Patients     Top Story 
Jan 4, 2012 -- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that it has selected 73 individuals from 27 States and the District of Columbia for its Innovation Advisors program who will work with the CMS Innovation Center to test new models of care delivery in their own organizations and communities.

HHS Releases Final Medicaid Quality Measures     Top Story 
Jan 4, 2012 -- AHA News Now article reports that the Department of Health and Human Services has issued a final notice  announcing an initial set of 26 quality measures for Medicaid-eligible adults for voluntary use by state Medicaid agencies.

Medicaid Program: Initial Core Set of Health Care Quality Measures for Medicaid-Eligible Adults     Federal Register 
Jan 4, 2012 -- This final notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces the initial core set of health care quality measures for Medicaid-eligible adults for voluntary use by State programs administered under title XIX of the Social Security Act, health insurance issuers and managed care entities that enter into contracts with Medicaid, and providers of items and services under these programs.

Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment; Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment; Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program; Physician Self-Referral; and Patient Notification Requirements in Provider Agreements; Corrections     Federal Register 
Jan 4, 2012 -- This document from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services corrects technical errors that appeared in the final rule with comment period published in the Federal Register on November 30, 2011, entitled “Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment; Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment; Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program; Physician Self-Referral; and Patient Notification Requirements in Provider Agreements.”

Medicare Program; Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule, Five-Year Review of Work Relative Value Units, Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule: Signature on Requisition, and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2012; Corrections     Federal Register 
Jan 4, 2012 -- This document corrects technical errors and typographical errors in the final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services entitled “Medicare Program; Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule, Five-Year Review of Work Relative Value Units, Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule: Signature on Requisition, and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2012” which appeared in the November 28, 2011 Federal Register.

No Shortage of Nursing Care
Jan 4, 2012 -- Kane County Chronicle, (IL) article reports on a study done by the Rand Corporation that said, if current trends are sustained, the supply of nurses in 2030 should be enough to satisfy U.S. demand.

Recession Hitting Nation's Emergency Preparedness Abilities     Top Story 
Jan 4, 2012 -- American Medical News article reports that the country has made significant strides since the 2001 terrorist attacks in the ability of physicians, hospitals, health departments and others to respond to disasters, but that progress is being undermined by government budget cuts, says a report looking at America's preparedness for public health emergencies.

2011: A Nothing Year for Rural Stocks     Top Story 
Jan 3, 2012 -- Daily Yonder article reports that the year 2011 ended up being "a whole bunch of nothing" for the Yonder 40, the stock index of rural America.

Health Reform After 2014: Not - so - Universal Coverage     Top Story 
Jan 3, 2012 -- American Medical News article reports that the national health system reform law is expected to reduce the nation's uninsured population to what could be an all - time low, but even after the major reforms take effect starting in 2014, millions will remain without coverage, whether by choice or by circumstance.

Hospital Lures Rural Doctors with Unusual Offer     Top Story 
Jan 3, 2012 -- Associated Press article via Center for Rural Affairs tells how the Ashland Health Center draws doctors to rural Kansas by offering paid time for international mission work.

Rural Health Care Moves Out of Emergency Rooms, into Homes     Top Story 
Jan 3, 2012 -- Durango Herald, (CO) article tells how rural health-care providers in Colorado are studying a new concept that expands the role of emergency medical personnel by having them provide health care to patients in their home before an emergency arises.

Rural Idaho - 10 Years Later: Farms are Helping Rural Areas in Idaho Persevere
Jan 3, 2012 -- Idaho Statesman article tells how thousands of rural Idahoans have changed the way they live and work to adjust to the dramatic changes taking place in the past few decades.

Telemedicine is on the Rise     Top Story 
Jan 3, 2012 -- HealthcareITNews article reports that as a progressive new form of quality and convenient health, telehealth practices are growing, especially in rural areas, as it improves quality, access and cost of care.

A Farm Lives High – and Clean – Off the Hog     Top Story 
Dec 30, 2011 -- Los Angeles Times, (CA) article tells how Duke University helped a North Carolina farm turn tons of manure into electricity and fertilizer in what it says is one of the cleanest waste to energy systems in existence.

Doctor, Nurse Shortages Unlikely, New Research Finds     Top Story 
Dec 30, 2011 -- ABC News article reports that among the dire assumptions about the future of health care in the United States, one of the more persistent has been that the numbers of doctors and nurses are dwindling rapidly, but several new reports released this fall suggest the shortfalls among key health workers may not be so great as once feared, at least on a national scale.

Grants for Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas     Federal Register 
Dec 30, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by the Department of Veterans Affairs on a proposal to amend its regulations to establish a new program to provide grants to assist veterans in highly rural areas through innovative transportation services to travel to VA medical centers, and to otherwise assist in providing transportation services in connection with the provision of VA medical care to these veterans.

Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless     Federal Register 
Dec 30, 2011 -- This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless

Connecticut Drops Insurers from Medicaid
Dec 29, 2011 -- Kaiser Health News article reports that on Jan. 1, Connecticut will jettison its private health plans from Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program.

Free Health Care for the Poor
Dec 29, 2011 -- Chico News & Review, (CA) article reports that very low-income residents of Butte, Glenn, Colusa and Tehama counties will have an opportunity to receive free health care, thanks to a new program called Path2Health authorized as a kind of pilot program of the federal health-care-reform act.

HHS to Pay $296M in Bonuses to States Meeting CHIP Targets     Top Story 
Dec 29, 2011 -- HealthLeaders Media article reports that 23 states that have implemented at least five of eight programs to streamline children's health insurance coverage and meet enrollment targets will receive more than $296 million in federal performance bonuses, U.S. Health and Human Services officials announced Wednesday.

McKenzie County Memorial Hospital First in State to Receive Medicare Funding for Use of Electronic Health Records
Dec 29, 2011 -- Business Wire article reports that McKenzie County Healthcare Systems has announced that McKenzie County Memorial Hospital is the first hospital in North Dakota to qualify for Medicare reimbursements for using a certified electronic health record (EHR).

Rural Health Scholars Program Growing Local Workforce
Dec 29, 2011 -- Willits News, (CA) article reports that thirteen Mendocino County high school students recently were selected for the first Rural Health Scholars program, a collaborative effort between the community health centers of Mendocino County and the Alliance for Rural Community Health established in order to develop and retain the local area's future health care workforce.

Solicitation of New Safe Harbors and Special Fraud Alerts     Federal Register 
Dec 29, 2011 -- Comments are being requested on this annual notice from the Department of Health and Human Services that solicits proposals and recommendations for developing new and modifying existing safe harbor provisions under the Federal anti-kickback statute, as well as developing new OIG Special Fraud Alerts.

The Champion of Painkillers     Top Story 
Dec 29, 2011 -- Daily Yonder article discusses how overdoses on painkillers lead to nearly 15,000 deaths a year, becoming a national epidemic, and one that began largely in rural America.

'Telemedicine' Brings Emergency Help to Rural Areas
Dec 28, 2011 -- News8000.com, (WI) article tells how advanced telemedicine technology is allowing patients in rural areas better access to their doctors by allowing them to connect from far away even in some emergency situations.

Connect America Fund; A National Broadband Plan for Our Future; Establishing Just and Reasonable Rates for Local Exchange Carriers; High-Cost Universal Service Support     Top Story      Federal Register 
Dec 28, 2011 -- This document from the Federal Communications Commission provides additional information to the final rule document published on November 29, 2011, that comprehensively reformed and modernized the universal service and intercarrier compensation systems to ensure that robust, affordable voice and broadband service, both fixed and mobile, are available to Americans throughout the nation.

Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) Nomination Letters     Federal Register 
Dec 28, 2011 -- In this notice the Government Accountability Office is announcing that for appointments to MedPAC that will be effective May 1, 2012, the Comptroller General is announcing that letters of nomination should be submitted between January 1 and March 8, 2012, to ensure adequate opportunity for review and consideration of nominees prior to the appointment of new members.

National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps; Notice of Meeting     Top Story      Federal Register 
Dec 28, 2011 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces that a public meeting of the National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) will be held January 19-20, 2012, in Rockville, MD. The Council is convening to hear updates from HRSA and the NHSC program, as well as to discuss evidence-based strategies for clinician retention, negotiated rule-making, and the current state of primary care workforce programs.

Rural Health Training Programs Spreading     Top Story 
Dec 28, 2011 -- HealthLeaders Media article discusses how rather than simply courting big-city health providers and graduates, it's critical for rural communities and organizations to develop their own talent, and that seems to be happening more and more often.

Wash. Bill Would Require Firefighters to Pay Fees
Dec 28, 2011 -- Firehouse article tells of a bill before the Washington legislature that would require firefighters, including volunteers, to pay the state for certifying and disciplining them.

California's Young Farmers Break Traditional Mold     Top Story 
Dec 27, 2011 -- San Francisco Chronicle, (CA) article tells how the California Department of Food and Agriculture is trying to attract new, young, farmers to work the land, but they're decidedly different from the face of the traditional farmer or rancher.

Fast Internet Service Spotty in Rural Areas
Dec 27, 2011 -- Journal Sentinel, (WI) article reports that Wisconsin ranks 45th among states where residents have access to download speeds of at least 3 megabits, according to the University of Wisconsin Extension.

Improvements in Nation's Health Stalled after Years of Progress     Top Story 
Dec 27, 2011 -- American Medical News article reports that in light of a recent report showing that improvement in the nation's health has stalled, public health officials are encouraging physicians to go into their communities to educate the public on how to lead a healthier lifestyle.

A Guide to Fire Officer Development
Dec 23, 2011 -- Fire Fighter Nation article give a step-by-step approach to getting the training you need to advance your career.

Application for New Awards; Indian Education Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies (FY) 2012 (Parts 1 & 2)     Federal Register 
Dec 23, 2011 -- This program provides grants to support local educational agencies (LEAs) and other eligible entities described in this notice in their efforts to reform and improve elementary and secondary school programs that serve Indian students.
Learn more about: Indian Education Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies (Part 1)

Applications for New Awards; Indian Education Demonstration Grants for Indian Children     Federal Register 
Dec 23, 2011 -- The purpose of this program from the Department of Education is to provide financial assistance to projects that develop, test, and demonstrate the effectiveness of services and programs to improve the educational opportunities and achievement of preschool, elementary, and secondary Indian students.
Learn more about: Indian Education Demonstration Grants for Indian Children

Congress Provides Near-level Funding for Primary Care Training Programs     Top Story 
Dec 23, 2011 -- AAFP News Now article reports that Congress has approved a final fiscal year, or FY, 2012 appropriations bill that provides nearly $40 million in funding for Title VII of the Public Health Service Act.

Farm Service Agency; Rural Business Investment Program; Comment Request     Federal Register 
Dec 23, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by the Rural Business-Cooperative Service on the amending of its regulations for the Rural Business Investment Program (RBIP) to conform it to the 2008 Farm Bill, to add provisions for Rural Business Investment Companies (RBIC) that wish to participate in a non-leveraged capacity, and to make several clarifications to the existing rule for leveraged RBICs. In addition, this rule amends the categorical exclusions from the National Environmental Policy Act by adding categorical exclusions for the RBIP for both leveraged and non-leveraged RBICs.

GOP Pauses 'Doc Fix' Fight, Averts 27 Percent Medicare Pay Cut     Top Story 
Dec 23, 2011 -- Kaiser Health News article brings together a variety of articles discussing the House GOP leadership's agreement to a Senate proposal that averts a 27 percent pay cut to doctors scheduled to take effect in January. The deal delays the cut until March 1, 2012.

HHS Releases More Than $845 Million to States to Help Low-income Households With Energy Costs     Top Story 
Dec 23, 2011 -- More than $845 million is being released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to states to help low-income households with their heating and home energy costs under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

HUD Expands Services to Communicate with the Public in 175 Languages     Top Story 
Dec 23, 2011 -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that it has launched the HUD Language Line, a telephone language service pilot that will offer live, one-on-one interpretation services in more than 175 languages.

Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless     Federal Register 
Dec 23, 2011 -- This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Understanding the Rates, Causes, and Costs of Churning in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)     Federal Register 
Dec 22, 2011 -- The Office of Research and Analysis (ORA) in USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has undertaken a study on the causes and costs of churning in SNAP. Churning occurs when a SNAP participant leaves the program and returns within a short period of time, defined here as four months or less.
Learn more about: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Request-Nutrition Assistance in Farmers' Markets: Understanding the Shopping Patterns of SNAP Participants     Federal Register 
Dec 22, 2011 -- The USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), is pursuing initiatives to improve access to healthy foods among nutrition assistance program clients. The overall objective of this collection is to promote opportunities for nutrition assistance program clients to take advantage of farmers' markets.
Learn more about: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

AHA Urges Court to Uphold CO Decision to Opt Out of CRNA Supervision     Top Story 
Dec 22, 2011 -- The AHA has filed a friend-of-the-court brief supporting the Colorado governor's decision to opt out of Medicare's physician supervision requirement for certified registered nurse anesthetists to improve access to care for rural residents.

APHSA Urges Congress to Prevent Unnecessary Burden on States and Families     Top Story 
Dec 22, 2011 -- Under current law, TANF authorization expires December 31 and while both the House and the Senate took action this month toward extending the program, the issue was not resolved before members left town. The APHSA called on Congressional leadership to do whatever is necessary to extend the program into 2012.

Federal Health Reform Comes to Rural Counties
Dec 22, 2011 -- Business Wire article tells about the Path2Health program that will expand health care coverage to an additional 30,000 low income adults living in 34 mostly rural counties in California.

HIT Policy Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting     Federal Register 
Dec 22, 2011 -- This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of a public advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). The meeting will be held on January 10, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m./Eastern Time and will be open to the public.

HIT Standards Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting     Federal Register 
Dec 22, 2011 -- This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of a public advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). The meeting will be held on January 25, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m./Eastern Time and will be open to the public.

Medicare Contractors to Hold Physician Fee Schedule Claims     Top Story 
Dec 22, 2011 -- AHA News Now reports that CMS will instruct its contractors to hold claims containing 2012 services paid under the Medicare physician fee schedule through Jan. 17.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of HIV/AIDS Policy; Agency Information Collection Request. 30-Day Public Comment Request     Federal Register 
Dec 22, 2011 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of HIV/AIDS Policy (OHAP) is seeking on comments on a newly proposed project entitled Cross-Site Evaluation of the Minority Serving Institutions' HIV/AIDS Demonstration Initiative and Capacity-building Project.

Medicare Program; Independence at Home Demonstration Program     Federal Register 
Dec 21, 2011 -- This notice creates a new demonstration program for chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries to test a payment incentive and service delivery system that utilizes physician and nurse practitioner directed home-based primary care teams aimed at improving health outcomes and reducing expenditures, beginning December 21, 2011.

Payment or Reimbursement for Emergency Treatment Furnished by Non-VA Providers in Non-VA Facilities to Certain Veterans With Service-Connected or Nonservice-Connected Disabilities     Top Story      Federal Register 
Dec 21, 2011 -- This document amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical regulations concerning emergency hospital care and medical services provided to eligible veterans at non-VA facilities.

Payroll Tax Cut, 'Doc Fix' Stalled in Congressional Stalemate     Top Story 
Dec 21, 2011 -- Kaiser Health News brings together a variety of articles that discuss how the House voted on Tuesday to reject a Senate compromise that would have extended a federal payroll tax holiday for two months, continued unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless and averted a cut in the reimbursement rate for doctors who treat Medicare patients.

Rural Counties Struggle with Payment Loss
Dec 21, 2011 -- Spokesman Review, (WA) article reports that leaders from counties that depend on federal timber payments to pay for schools, roads and police said Monday they’re hopeful that proposed federal legislation might help restore critical funding that recently expired.

Affordable Care Act Helps 32 Health Systems Improve Care for Patients, Saving Up to $1.1 Billion     Top Story 
Dec 20, 2011 -- Thirty-two leading health care organizations from across the country will participate in a new Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) initiative that will encourage primary care doctors, specialists, hospitals and other caregivers to provide better, more coordinated care for people with Medicare and could save up to $1.1 billion over five years.

HHS Continues Head Start Quality Push, Notifies Grantees Selected to Compete for Continued Funding
Dec 20, 2011 -- Yesterday the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) notified 132 Head Start grantees that they have been designated to compete for continued Head Start funding. Under new regulations grantees who do not meet quality thresholds established by the Office of Head Start will have to compete, for the first time ever, with other potential providers for Head Start funding.

HUD Awards $1.5 Billion to More Than 7,100 Local Homeless Programs     Top Story 
Dec 20, 2011 -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded $1.47 billion to renew funding to more than 7,100 local homeless programs operating across the country.

Medicaid Squeeze Could Squeeze Some Rural Hospitals to Death
Dec 20, 2011 -- Across the state of Arizona, rural hospitals are facing “significant and irreversible harm,” as the Medicaid-dependent facilities see already thin margins squeezed by Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System cuts to reimbursement rates and by swelling numbers of Medicaid and uninsured patients.

New Affordable Care Act Demonstration to Provide Care at Home for Medicare Patients     Top Story 
Dec 20, 2011 -- Up to 10,000 Medicare patients with chronic conditions will now be able to get most of the care they need at home under a new demonstration announced today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Spending Growth for Physician Services Rebounding     Top Story 
Dec 20, 2011 -- American Medical News article reports that health care spending dampened during the economic downturn, but a report suggests that demand for care is on the upswing.

Top 9 Rural Small Business Trends for 2012     Top Story 
Dec 20, 2011 -- Small Business Trends article includes tips and trends for the upcoming year.

HHS to Give States More Flexibility to Implement Health Reform     Top Story 
Dec 19, 2011 -- The Department of Health and Human Services last week released guidance outlining their proposed policies for implementing "essential health benefits" giving states more flexibility and freedom to implement the Affordable Care Act.

How States Are Keeping Doctors from Moving Out     Top Story 
Dec 19, 2011 -- American Medical News article discusses how widespread concerns about physician shortages have many states working to keep doctors trained in medical schools and residency programs there from crossing state lines to practice medicine.

Members of Congress Issue Call to Extend Health Benefits to Rural Communities     Top Story 
Dec 19, 2011 -- Lake County News, (CA) article reports that Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-5) on Friday lead a bipartisan group of 19 members of Congress in sending a letter to the House leadership calling on them to extend Medicare health benefits to rural communities.

Penalty for Not Prescribing Electronically Kicks in Jan. 1, 2012     Top Story 
Dec 19, 2011 -- AAFP News Now article report that family physicians who participate in Medicare but who did not successfully implement electronic prescribing in 2011 -- or apply for and receive a hardship exemption -- will notice slightly lower payments in 2012.

Talk at Federal, State Levels Alarms Rural Hospitals for Future
Dec 19, 2011 -- Seattle Times, (WA) article reports that many of Eastern Washington's small hospitals are bracing for cutbacks as federal and state governments look to save money.

The Economic Impact of Social Security     Top Story 
Dec 19, 2011 -- Daily Yonder article discusses how the economic impact of Social Security is huge: $1.2 trillion in economic output and 8.4 million jobs, but social Security plays an even larger role in the economy of rural America.

Connect America Fund; A National Broadband Plan for Our Future; Establishing Just and Reasonable Rates for Local Exchange Carriers; High-Cost Universal Service Support     Top Story      Federal Register 
Dec 16, 2011 -- In this document, the Federal Communications Commission seeks comment on several issues related to Eligible Telecommunications Carriers obligations, the funding mechanisms for rate-of-return, price cap and mobile carriers, and a Remote Areas Fund.

Guidance Released for National Health Service Corps Critical Access Hospital Pilot Program     Top Story 
Dec 16, 2011 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration has released its 2012 guidance for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program (LRP), which includes a pilot program that expands eligibility to Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and eligible clinicians working in CAHs:  primary care physicians; psychiatrists; nurse practitioners; certified nurse midwives; and physician assistants.

Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Quarterly Listing of Program Issuances - July Through September 2011     Federal Register 
Dec 16, 2011 -- This quarterly notice lists CMS manual instructions, substantive and interpretive regulations, and other Federal Register notices that were published from July through September 2011, relating to the Medicare and Medicaid programs and other programs administered by CMS.

Medicare Program; First Semi-Annual Meeting of the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment (HOP - Formerly Known as the Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification Groups - APC Panel)-February 27, 28, and 29, 2012     Top Story      Federal Register 
Dec 16, 2011 -- This notice announces the first semi-annual meeting of the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment, formerly known as the Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification Groups for 2012. The purpose of the Panel is to advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the clinical integrity of the APC groups and their associated weights, and hospital outpatient supervision issues.

MedPAC Discusses 2013 Payment Recommendations     Top Story 
Dec 16, 2011 -- AHA News Now article reports that the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission yesterday considered a draft recommendation to Congress that would increase fiscal year 2013 inpatient and outpatient hospital payments by 1.0%. MedPAC also considered a draft recommendation that would equalize Medicare payment rates for non-emergency evaluation and management services between hospital outpatient and physician office settings.

Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless     Federal Register 
Dec 16, 2011 -- This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless

Payment Assistance for the Uninsured at NRMC Rural Health Clinics
Dec 16, 2011 -- Nevada Daily Mail article reports that the Nevada Regional Medical Center's three Rural Health Clinics are now offering a payment program for patients who do not have insurance and may not be able to pay their full clinic bill.

Rural Health: New Heart Monitors in Rural Ambulances Help Save Lives
Dec 16, 2011 -- Tri-State Neighbor, (SD) article tells how a life was saved by using an EKG on a heart monitor, one of the newest pieces of equipment now found in all 133 ambulances in South Dakota thanks to the American Heart Association's "Mission: Lifeline" project financed by an $8.4 million grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust fund.

UF Receives $2.5 Million to Establish Rural Public Health Training Center
Dec 16, 2011 -- The University of Florida reports that it has received $2.5 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop public health workforce education programs and community health projects for rural Florida residents.

Affordable Care Act Sunshine Rule Increases Transparency in Health Care     Top Story 
Dec 15, 2011 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS ) today announced a proposed rule that will increase public awareness of financial relationships between drug and device manufacturers and certain health care providers.

Latest Child Maltreatment Report Shows Decrease in Victims of Child Abuse and Neglect     Top Story 
Dec 15, 2011 -- The HHS Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has released its annual report on child abuse and neglect, “Child Maltreatment 2010,” that shows a steady decline in the number of victims who suffered maltreatment for the fourth consecutive year.

Nurse Practitioners Fill a Gap in Rural Health Care
Dec 15, 2011 -- St. Louis Beacon, (MO) article reports that there are no doctors in Pilot Grove, Mo., but the town's 825 residents have perhaps the best alternative source of health care, thanks to an enterprising nurse practitioner.

Partnership for Patients Initiative to Improve Hospital Care Affordable Care Act Funding Will Help Health Providers
Dec 15, 2011 -- The Department of Health & Human Services announced on Tuesday that it will award $218 million to 26 hospitals and hospital associations for the creation of learning collaboratives that will target preventable injuries and complications from hospital-acquired conditions.

Physician Assistants Look to Expand EHR Incentive Eligibility     Top Story 
Dec 15, 2011 -- SearchHealthIT article tells how Physician assistants (PAs), are not considered eligible professionals (EPs) under the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. However, under the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, they are eligible in limited circumstances, such as a PA-led rural health clinic (RHC) or federally qualified health centers (FQHC).

Rural Family Incomes Drop 2007-'10     Top Story 
Dec 15, 2011 -- Daily Yonder article reports that nearly seven out of 10 rural counties saw their median family incomes drop from 2007 to 2010, according to new figures from the U.S. Census.

Telemedicine: Now It's A Must
Dec 15, 2011 -- Hospitals & Health Networks article discusses how driven by a desire to improve the quality of and access to care, health systems both large and small are tapping into the power of telemedicine at a feverish pace.

We Can’t Wait: Obama Administration Makes More Progress to Reduce, Prevent Drug Shortages     Top Story 
Dec 15, 2011 -- Today, in response to President Obama’s Executive Order of Oct. 31, 2011, the Obama Administration is issuing an interim final rule that will help prevent prescription drug shortages.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding to Create Jobs, Reduce Energy Costs for Agricultural Producers and Rural Small Businesses     Top Story 
Dec 14, 2011 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced loans and grants, provided through USDA Rural Development's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) program, for agricultural producers and rural small businesses across the country to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in their operations.

Facebook Provides First-of-a-Kind Service to Help Prevent Suicides
Dec 14, 2011 -- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline are collaborating with Facebook to help those in crisis.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority     Federal Register 
Dec 14, 2011 -- This notice from HRSA updates the functional statement for the Office of Federal Assistance Management that provides leadership, direction and coordination to all phases of grants policy, administration, and independent review of competitive grant applications.

Making the Most of Broadband: Think Small     Top Story 
Dec 14, 2011 -- Daily Yonder article tells how Three Lakes, Wisconsin, generated competition to get affordable broadband and now is maximizing its economic impact by drawing small businesses to town.

Medicare Changes Payment Plan to Fight Drug Fraud
Dec 14, 2011 -- USA Today article reports that Medicare will not pay prescription-drug bills if officials see evidence of fraud, which will let them avoid chasing down money after it has been paid out, Vice President Biden announced Tuesday.

New Data: Affordable Care Act Helps 2.5 Million Additional Young Adults Get Health Insurance     Top Story 
Dec 14, 2011 -- Today, the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data illustrating that the Affordable Care Act continues to significantly increase the number of young adults who have health insurance.

New Law Bans Mail-Order Drug Mandates
Dec 14, 2011 -- New York Times article reports that mom-and-pop pharmacies will be better able to compete with mail-order companies because of a bill that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has signed into law.

New RNs’ Lack of Geographic Mobility has Negative Implications for Rural Health     Top Story 
Dec 14, 2011 -- Kern Valley Sun, (CA) article tells of a study on the geographic mobility of registered nurses (RNs) recently published in the December Health Affairs magazine that suggests that the profession’s relative lack of mobility has serious implications for access to health care for people in rural areas.

Number of Homeless Vets Down 12 Percent, Report Says
Dec 14, 2011 -- Washington Post, (DC) article reports that the number of homeless veterans in the United States declined by nearly 12 percent between January 2010 and January 2011, according to figures being released Tuesday by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Obama Administration Announces Decline in Homelessness in 2011     Top Story 
Dec 14, 2011 -- On a single night last January, 636,017 people were homeless in the United States, a 2.1 percent decline from the year before, according to key findings of a new count on homelessness announced today by U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Early Retiree Reinsurance Program     Federal Register 
Dec 13, 2011 -- This notice announces that CMS, based on the projected availability of funding under the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (ERRP), is exercising its authority under the ERRP regulations at 45 CFR 149.45(a) to deny ERRP reimbursement requests, in their entirety, that include claims that are incurred after December 31, 2011.

Health Care's Top 2012 Issues: Technology, Social Media, Security     Top Story 
Dec 13, 2011 -- American Medical News article reports that investment in health information technology, the privacy and security of patient data, and ramping up social media efforts will be top concerns for health care organizations in 2012, according to a study by PwC's Health Research Institute

Retiree Health Funds Run Low, Program to Close Early
Dec 13, 2011 -- Kaiser Health News offers a variety of articles telling of a notice in the Federal Register that made clear that the fund designed to help cover health insurance for early retirees would stop taking claims for expenses incurred after Dec. 31, 2011.

USDA Celebrates One Year Anniversary of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010     Top Story 
Dec 13, 2011 -- First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today highlighted the achievements of the historic Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, one year after the legislation was enacted to combat child hunger and obesity and improve the health and nutrition of the nation's children.

USDA's Local Investment is $153M Since 2009
Dec 13, 2011 -- Juneau Empire, (AK) article reports that with over $153 million invested in Southeast Alaska in the last three years, it would be hard to find a local industry not touched by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Early EMR Adopters Get a Break; Tougher Criteria Delayed to 2014     Top Story 
Dec 12, 2011 -- American Medical News article reports that physicians meeting criteria in 2011 to earn federal electronic medical record incentives will have more time before the Dept. of Health and Human Services requires them to satisfy tougher standards for attaining additional bonuses.

HHS Issues Final Rule for ACA CO-OP Program     Top Story 
Dec 12, 2011 -- AHA News Now article reports that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last week issued a final rule establishing the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan program. The program will provide $3.8 billion in loans and grants to help organizations develop nonprofit health cooperatives, which will sell qualified health plans that promote care coordination to individuals and small businesses through state insurance exchanges.

MMMC-Gladwin Earns 2011 Excellence Award
Dec 12, 2011 -- Medicalrecord.org article reports that MidMichigan Medical Center-Gladwin received two awards from the Michigan Center for Rural Health for quality improvement in the inpatient and outpatient setting.

Next CMS Webinar on Health Care Innovation Challenge Tuesday     Top Story 
Dec 12, 2011 -- AHA News Now article reports that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Tuesday will host the third of four webinars on its Health Care Innovation Challenge, which will award up to $30 million over three years to projects that identify and test promising new payment and care delivery models for Medicare, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Delivering Value in the Health Insurance Marketplace
Dec 9, 2011 -- Center for Rural Affairs article reports that Nebraska legislators are considering establishing a new health insurance marketplace, a “one-stop shop” where Nebraskans can compare different health insurance plans and pick the one that works best for their family.

Generations Bookend Rural America     Top Story 
Dec 9, 2011 -- A Center for Rural Affairs report released today finds that rural areas in the Great Plains and Midwest continue to lose population and are caught between “bookend generations” - the youngest and the oldest - with a demographic valley in between.

How Healthy Is Your State?     Top Story 
Dec 9, 2011 -- Fox News article reports that UnitedHealth Group has released their 2011 annual state-by-state health rankings showing Vermont is the nation’s healthiest state, and Mississippi as the least healthiest

IOM Report Recommends Steps to Minimize Risks to Patient Safety     Top Story 
Dec 9, 2011 -- AAFP News Now article tells of a newly released report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) that recommends that HHS take the lead on working to minimize patient safety risks associated with use of health information technology.

Notice of Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless     Federal Register 
Dec 9, 2011 -- This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for use to assist the homeless.
Learn more about: Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless

Our Health Care Spending, in One Map     Top Story 
Dec 9, 2011 -- Washington Post, (DC) article gives the findings from a new, decade-long review of state health care spending published Wednesday by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Affordable Care Act Support for School-Based Health Centers Will Create Jobs, Increase Access to Care for Thousands of Children     Top Story 
Dec 8, 2011 -- More than $14 million was awarded today to 45 school-based health centers across the country allowing the number of children served to increase by nearly 50 percent, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding to Improve Access to Education and Health Care in Rural Areas     Top Story 
Dec 8, 2011 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that recipients in 34 states and one territory will receive funding through the USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Program to improve access to health care and educational services in rural areas.

Health IT Leaders Launch Info-Sharing Website     Top Story 
Dec 8, 2011 -- Information Week article tells of a group of physician health information technology (IT) leaders that has launched a nonprofit website for doctors that's designed to promote the transformation of healthcare through the use of information technology.

HRSA Technical Assistance Outreach Series Webcast; "Navigating and Preparing a HRSA Application: Responding to a Funding Opportunity Announcement"     Top Story 
Dec 8, 2011 -- HRSA’s Office of Federal Management Assistance will conduct a webcast on Friday, December 9, 2011, at 2 p.m. Eastern time for potential HRSA applicants and current grantees on the structure of funding opportunity announcements (FOA) for grants and cooperative agreements. 

Rural Residents Fight Back to Save Local Post Offices     Top Story 
Dec 8, 2011 -- Equal Voice News article reports that hundreds of rural communities across the country are making sure the U.S. Postal Service understands, beyond any doubt, that they don’t intend to lose their post office.

Rural Unemployment Heads Downward     Top Story 
Dec 8, 2011 -- Daily Yonder article reports that rural counties have added over 128,000 jobs since October 2010 and the unemployment rate in rural America has been dropping since June.

Today at NRHA: Former Census Bureau Chief Outlines How Changing Demographics Impact Health Care
Dec 8, 2011 -- NRHA Rural Health Voices article reports that former U.S. Census Bureau Director Steve Murdock, PhD, kicked off the National Rural Health Association’s 17th Annual Rural Multiracial and Multicultural Health Conference in Daytona Beach, discussing the socioeconomic implications of the country’s changing demographics,

When 'Critical Access' Hospitals Are Not So Critical     Top Story 
Dec 8, 2011 -- Kaiser Health News article discusses how a Medicare program intended to preserve "critical access" to rural hospitals may have grown beyond that goal, possibly keeping open hospitals that should close.

Alchemy in Scottsburg, Indiana     Top Story 
Dec 7, 2011 -- Daily Yonder article tells how spurred by an insult, led by a strong mayor and grounded in volunteerism, Scottsburg, Indiana, has replenished itself as both a community and a regional economic force.

Medicare Program; Availability of Medicare Data for Performance Measurement; Final Rule     Top Story      Federal Register 
Dec 7, 2011 -- This final rule by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implements Section 10332 of the Affordable Care Act regarding the release and use of standardized extracts of Medicare claims data for qualified entities to measure the performance of providers of services (referred to as providers) and suppliers.

Project Engages Rural Youth     Top Story 
Dec 7, 2011 -- Laurinburg Exchange, (NC) article tells of a three-year, $3.6 million project designed to reverse a “disconcerting trend” in rural population decline will soon be implemented by the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center.

Rural Health: Biggest Need: More Rural Health Care Providers     Top Story 
Dec 7, 2011 -- Tri-State Neighbor, (SD) article reports that Sandi Durick of Pierre, S.D., president-elect of the National Rural Health Association, has one major goal in mind: Find more doctors and health-care professionals to move into rural South Dakota and across the nation.

Study to Examine Risks for Rural Patients After Hospital Discharge
Dec 7, 2011 -- Newswise article tells of a grant awarded by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to the Florida State University College of Medicine to monitor approximately 600 patients — half of them rural — for three weeks right after they’re discharged from the hospital and recommend ways to reduce post-discharge problems.

USDA Announces New Tactics to Combat Fraud and Enhance SNAP Program Integrity     Top Story 
Dec 7, 2011 -- USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced a new range of aggressive tactics to further improve program integrity of USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – formerly known as food stamps.

Medicare Gives Employers, Consumers Information to Make Better Health Care Choices     Top Story 
Dec 6, 2011 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) yesterday announced a final rule that gives qualified organizations, like employers and consumer groups, access to data that can help them identify high quality health care providers or create online tools to help consumers make educated health care choices.

Open Enrollment Ends Tomorrow; People with Medicare See Significant Savings in 2011 as Time to Select 2012 Plans Ends     Top Story 
Dec 6, 2011 -- Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that as of the end of October, more seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare have seen significantly lower costs for important health care – through both discounts on brand-name drugs in the Medicare Part D "donut hole" coverage gap and free preventive care.

Study Finds Surge in Young Nurses Over Past Decade     Top Story 
Dec 6, 2011 -- Washington Times, (DC) article reports that according to an article in the journal Health Affairs, the past decade brought a 62 percent increase in the number of younger registered nurses entering the workforce, a surge that may ease forecasts of coming shortages as their baby-boomer coworkers retire.

What Every Baby Boomer Should Know About Medicare     Top Story 
Dec 6, 2011 -- Kaiser Health News article gives five tips to help you navigate Medicare.

Affordable Care Act Helping Consumers Get Better Value for Their Health Care Dollars     Top Story 
Dec 5, 2011 -- Last week the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final regulation that will ensure health insurance companies spend at least 80 percent of consumers’ health insurance premiums on medical care, not income, overhead and marketing.

CDC Reports Increase in EHR Adoption by Office-Based Physicians
Dec 5, 2011 -- AHA News Now article reports that an estimated 57% of office-based physicians used electronic health records in 2011, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Children with Special Health Care Needs More Likely to Have Health Care Access Problems     Top Story 
Dec 5, 2011 -- In the first national report that compares the health and well-being of children with special health care needs to those children without, findings revealed that 14 to 19 percent of children in the United States have a special health care need, representing more than one in five households with children.

Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing: Defining “Homeless”     Federal Register 
Dec 5, 2011 -- This final rule from the Department of Housing and Urban Development integrates the regulation for the definition of “homeless,” and the corresponding recordkeeping requirements, for the Shelter Plus Care program, and the Supportive Housing Program. This final rule also establishes the regulation for the definition “developmental disability” and the definition and recordkeeping requirements for “homeless individual with a disability” for the Shelter Plus Care program and the Supportive Housing Program.

Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing: Emergency Solutions Grants Program and Consolidated Plan Conforming Amendments     Federal Register 
Dec 5, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by the Department of Housing and Urban Development on an interim rule that revises the regulations for the Emergency Shelter Grants program by establishing the regulations for the Emergency Solutions Grants program, which replaces the Emergency Shelter Grants program.

Rural Suicides Follow Medicaid Cuts     Top Story 
Dec 5, 2011 -- ABC News article reports that suicide is on the increase in rural America -- nowhere so much as in western mountain states like Idaho, Wyoming and New Mexico. Mental health professionals attribute it in part to cutbacks in Medicaid funding, to the recession and to the culture of the rural West.

Farm Loan Programs Loan Making Activities     Federal Register 
Dec 2, 2011 -- The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is amending the Farm Loan Programs (FLP) loan making regulations to implement a new program and to amend existing regulations for direct and guaranteed loans as required by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill). This rule establishes the loan making and servicing regulations for the new Land Contract (LC) Guarantee Program.

Health Care Innovation Challenge to Award up to $1 Billion in Grants     Top Story 
Dec 2, 2011 -- The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Center has issued the Health Care Innovation Challenge, an opportunity for funding of creative EMS and emergency care ideas.
Learn more about: Health Care Innovation Challenge

Fund Availability Under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program     Federal Register 
Dec 1, 2011 -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the availability of funds for supportive services grants under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program (SSVF Program).
Learn more about: Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program

Gov. Beshear Announces ‘Smiling Schools’ Dental Program
Dec 1, 2011 -- The University of Kentucky announced that approximately 25,000 Kentucky children in Appalachia will receive preventive oral health services through a new pilot program called Smiling Schools, Gov. Steve Beshear announced in August. The program is funded through a $1 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and $250,000 in state general fund dollars.

Housing Funds Awarded to Villages to Help Improve Retention of Professionals
Dec 1, 2011 -- Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) announced its intent to award $7.5 million to 10 villages statewide as part of its 2012 efforts to help rural communities recruit and retain nurses, public safety officers and teachers in rural Alaska.

HUD Offers $114 Million in Grants to Clean up Lead and Other Housing-Related Health Hazards     Top Story 
Dec 1, 2011 -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that it is making approximately $114 million in grants available to help eliminate dangerous lead-based paint hazards from lower income homes in order to protect young children from lead poisoning; help local communities set up programs to control other housing health and safety hazards; and conduct research on improving control methods.

HUD Offers More Than $40 Million in Grants for Housing Counseling
Dec 1, 2011 -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that more than $40 million is available for a broad range of housing counseling programs to help families find and preserve housing.
Learn more about: Housing Counseling Program

More Families with Children Receive TANF During 2009 Recession, Census Bureau Reports     Top Story 
Dec 1, 2011 -- PRNewswire article reports that, according to a new U.S. Census Bureau report, the participation rate for families with children in Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), a federal welfare program, increased from 3.8 percent in 2006 to 4.8 percent in 2009.

President Obama Announces New Efforts to End the AIDS Epidemic in the United States
Dec 1, 2011 -- President Barack Obama today announced accelerated efforts to increase the availability of treatment to people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States in conjunction with World AIDS Day 2011 by directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to invest approximately $50 million in new funding to support AIDS Drug Assistance Programs in states and increase access to HIV/AIDS care services.

Schock Introduces Legislation to Include Rural Health Clinics in EHR Incentive Game     Top Story 
Dec 1, 2011 -- CMIO reports that Congressman Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) has introduced legislation to amend the Social Security Act to make practicing eligible professionals in rural health clinics (RHCs) eligible for EHR and quality improvement incentives under Medicare.

We Can't Wait: Obama Administration Takes New Steps to Encourage Doctors and Hospitals to Use Health Information Technology to Lower Costs, Improve Quality, Create Jobs     Top Story 
Dec 1, 2011 -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a report showing that doctors’ adoption of health information technology (IT) doubled in two years and announced new actions to speed the use of health IT in doctors’ offices and hospitals nationwide. HHS intends to allow providers to adopt health IT this year, without meeting the new standards until 2014.

Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment; Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment; Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program; Physician Self-Referral; and Patient Notification Requirements in Provider Agreements; Final Rule     Top Story      Federal Register 
Nov 30, 2011 -- This final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services revises the Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) for CY 2012 to implement applicable statutory requirements and changes arising from their continuing experience with this system.

Medicare Covers Screening and Counseling for Obesity     Top Story 
Nov 30, 2011 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday announced that Medicare is adding coverage for preventive services to reduce obesity.

Medicare Expanding Competitive Bidding Program to Save Billions
Nov 30, 2011 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced operational details for the next stage in a program that sets new, lower payment rates for certain medical equipment and supplies – such as oxygen equipment, walkers, and some types of power wheelchairs – while maintaining patient access to them.

Medicare Program; Announcement of a New Application Deadline for the Advance Payment Model     Federal Register 
Nov 30, 2011 -- This notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces a new application deadline for participation in the Advance Payment Model for certain accountable care organizations participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program scheduled to begin in 2012.

States Receive More Flexibility, Resources to Implement Affordable Insurance Exchanges     Top Story 
Nov 30, 2011 -- The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) yesterday awarded nearly $220 million in Affordable Insurance Exchange grants to 13 states to help them create Exchanges, giving these states more flexibility and resources to implement the Affordable Care Act.

The Geography of Disability     Top Story 
Nov 30, 2011 -- Daily Yonder article discusses why rates of disability in rural America are 80 percent higher than in the cities.

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Comment Request - National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Site Survey     Federal Register 
Nov 29, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by the Health Resources and Services Administration on the NHSC Site Survey that renames and revises the previously known NHSC Uniform Data System (UDS) Report.

FCH Among Nation's Top Critical Access Hospitals
Nov 29, 2011 -- Review Times, (OH) article reports that ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital was recently ranked in the 90th percentile in the top 100 critical access hospitals in the country according to the National Rural Health Association.

HIV Clinician Workforce Study; Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request     Federal Register 
Nov 29, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by the Health Resources and Services Administration on a 24-month HIV clinician workforce study that will focus on the supply and demand of health professionals who independently manage patients with HIV/AIDS.

Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Minority Health     Federal Register 
Nov 29, 2011 -- The Advisory Committee on Minority Health will hold a public meeting on January 24-25, 2012 in Washington D.C., to discuss strategies to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of health policies and programs that will help eliminate health disparities, as well as other related issues.

More Patients Seeing Only Allied Health Workers     Top Story 
Nov 29, 2011 -- American Medical News article reports that a growing proportion of patients in hospital outpatient departments are receiving care from physician assistants and advance practice nurses without seeing a physician, and rural areas also relied more on these practitioners than urban areas.

Physician Shortage Threatens Patient Access, Quality
Nov 29, 2011 -- Wisconsin Hospital Association article reports that health reform and the aging of Wisconsin’s population are two factors driving what could be an unprecedented demand for health care and fueling a physician shortage in the state.

Real Doctors, Onscreen: VA Program Makes Online House Calls on Vets
Nov 29, 2011 -- Government Computer News article tells of a new pilot program that will allow veterans in the Midwest to access behavioral health, oncology and post-operative care services wherever they have Web access.

Rural Health Clinic Form and Supporting Regulations; Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request     Top Story      Federal Register 
Nov 29, 2011 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is requesting comments on the Request for Certification as a Rural Health Clinic Form and Supporting Regulations that is utilized as an application to be completed by suppliers of RHC services requesting participation in the Medicare program.

How We Built Ord's Economy
Nov 28, 2011 -- Daily Yonder article interviews Caleb Pollard, director of Valley County Economic Development in Ord, Nebraska, and asked what works and what doesn’t in local development.

Medicare Dec. 7th Open Enrollment Deadline Nears     Top Story 
Nov 28, 2011 -- As the December 7th deadline grows closer for people with Medicare to change or choose their drug and health plan coverage for next year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and its network of partners and advocates are available to assist with counseling and enrolling beneficiaries on their choices for 2012.

Medicare Program; Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule, Five-Year Review of Work Relative Value Units, Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule: Signature on Requisition, and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2012     Federal Register 
Nov 28, 2011 -- This final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addresses changes to the physician fee schedule and other Medicare Part B payment policies to ensure that their payment systems are updated to reflect changes in medical practice and the relative value of services.

Ord Tackles Housing Shortage     Top Story 
Nov 28, 2011 -- Grand Island Independent, (NE) article tells how the small town of Ord, Nebraska, created a 38-unit housing development to address their chronic rural housing shortage.

Pockets of Vitality Flourish, but Statistics Remain Grim
Nov 28, 2011 -- DesMoines Register, (IA) article discusses how the latest evidence from the 2010 U.S. Census and other sources offers plenty of fresh reasons to worry about the future of rural Iowa.

Health Industry Raising Alarms About Cuts to Medicare After Super Committee Failure     Top Story 
Nov 25, 2011 -- Kaiser Health News brings together a variety of articles discussing how the implications of automatic budget cuts in 2013 are reverberating through government and the health care industry.

Improving Patient Care by Improving Nurses' Work Environment     Top Story 
Nov 25, 2011 -- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation article reports on a study published in the Health Care Management Review that identifies factors, besides staffing levels, in registered nurses’ work environments that nurses perceive as impacting quality of care.

Officials: Proposals Threaten Rural Hospitals
Nov 25, 2011 -- News Herald, (FL) reports that for critical-access hospitals, reductions to reimbursements rates or changes to the pay structure have the potential to kill rural hospitals and jobs, health care officials said.

Tavenner to Replace Berwick at CMS Helm     Top Story 
Nov 25, 2011 -- Kaiser Health News article reports that Marilyn Tavenner, who has an extensive health background as a nurse, a health care official at both the state and federal level and a hospital chain executive, was tapped by President Barack Obama Wednesday to succeed Dr. Donald M. Berwick as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Wildland Firefighting: NIMS and ICS Training You Need
Nov 25, 2011 -- Firerescue1.com article tells how there is a number of organizations that can help provide the required skills for Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification for you and your organization.

HHS Expands Initiative to Protect Medicare and Seniors from Fraud     Top Story 
Nov 23, 2011 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the award of $9 million from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to help Senior Medicare Patrol programs across the nation continue their work fighting Medicare fraud.

How Rural Can Reclaim Sustainable Ag     Top Story 
Nov 23, 2011 -- Daily Yonder article discusses how sustainable agriculture has the potential to create jobs in rural communities, to increase access to healthy food choices for low- to moderate-income families, to serve as a catalyst for community development, to be a starting point in the sensitive discussion of environmentalism in rural communities, to operate as advocacy for migrant farm workers, and to give people from diverse backgrounds the chance to learn a valuable and respected trade.

Gregoire Wants to Ask Voters for Half-Cent Sales Tax Increase
Nov 22, 2011 -- Everett Herald, (WA) article reports that Gov. Chris Gregoire on Monday proposed asking voters to temporarily increase the sales tax by a half-cent to help balance the state budget and avoid cuts that would shorten the school year, reduce services for the disabled and let hundreds of convicted criminals out of prison early.

Health Programs Facing Cutbacks After Super Committee’s Failure     Top Story 
Nov 22, 2011 -- Kaiser Health News reports that the failure of the congressional super committee could mean automatic budget cuts totaling billions of dollars for everything from Medicare to biomedical research, starting in 2013, but some health care interests stand to fare better than others.

HUD Announces 2011 Sustainable Community Awards     Top Story 
Nov 22, 2011 -- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan has announced the recipients of the 2011 Sustainable Communities Grants, to create jobs, improve housing, transportation, and economy in urban & rural areas.

Mobile Mammogram Van Helps Idaho Women
Nov 22, 2011 -- Idaho Statesman article reports that Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise will use the proceeds from this year’s Festival of Trees to buy and outfit a new mobile mammography unit — a $700,000 cost.

National Endowment for the Arts Seeks Cooperator for "Your Town: The Citizens' Institute on Rural Design"     Top Story 
Nov 22, 2011 -- The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Design Program is seeking applications from organizations interested in entering into a cooperative agreement with the NEA to coordinate all Your Town activities nationally.
Learn more about: Your Town: The Citizens' Institute on Rural Design

New Study Finds E-prescribing is Safe and Efficient, but Barriers Remain     Top Story 
Nov 22, 2011 -- Physician practices and pharmacies generally view electronic prescribing as an important tool to improve patient safety and save time, but both groups face barriers to realizing the technology's full benefit, according to a study funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

Obama Administration Calls on Health Insurer to Reduce Rate Hike     Top Story 
Nov 22, 2011 -- Los Angeles Times, (CA) article reports that the Obama administration called on a health insurance company to reduce a planned rate increase in Pennsylvania, using a tool in the new healthcare law for the first time to pressure insurers to restrain rising premiums.

Super Committee Ends Talks, Cuts for Health Programs May Result     Top Story 
Nov 22, 2011 -- Kaiser Health News brings together a variety of articles discussing how late Monday afternoon, the co-chairmen of the congressional super committee announced that their talks had ended in stalemate.

U.S. Surgeon General Declares Thanksgiving as “Family Health History Day”     Top Story 
Nov 22, 2011 -- United States Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin today declared Thanksgiving 2011 as the nation’s eighth annual “Family Health History Day,” when families can share information by using the My Family Health Portrait website to gather their family’s health history in one place.

$9.6 Million in Rural Center Grants to Create More than 1,200 Jobs
Nov 21, 2011 -- The N.C. Rural Economic Development Center reports that it has awarded 62 grants totaling $9.6 million to create new jobs, increase job placements for laid-off workers and provide clean water in rural counties.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding to Improve Access to Health Care in Rural Areas     Top Story 
Nov 21, 2011 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last week announced funding to establish telemedicine and other health care projects to address unmet health care needs in the Delta region.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Office of E-Health Standards and Services Announces 90-Day Period of Enforcement Discretion for Compliance with New HIPAA Transaction Standards     Top Story 
Nov 21, 2011 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Office of E-Health Standards and Services (OESS) announced that it would not initiate enforcement action until March 31, 2012, with respect to any HIPAA covered entity that is not in compliance with the ASC X12 Version 5010 (Version 5010), NCPDP Telecom D.0 (NCPDP D.0) and NCPDP Medicaid Subrogation 3.0 (NCPDP 3.0) standards.

CMS Announces Dec. 6 Call on Hospital VBP Program
Nov 21, 2011 -- AHA News Now article reports that the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services will host a Dec. 6 conference call on the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program for fiscal year 2013.

Health Leaders Prepare for Round Two of Cuts     Top Story 
Nov 21, 2011 -- Kaiser Health News article discusses how regardless of whether Congress' super committee meets its deadline for finding ways to reduce the federal deficit, budget and policy experts are braced for Washington soon to face the painful task of finding more savings - and they anticipate that health spending will be at the top of the list.

Payment for Home Health Services and Hospice Care by Non-VA Providers; Proposed Rule; Comment Request     Federal Register 
Nov 21, 2011 -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is requesting comments on a proposal to amend its regulation and internal policy documents concerning the billing methodology for non-VA providers of home health services and hospice care.

The Ranchers Who Turned the Tide
Nov 21, 2011 -- Daily Yonder article tells how Nebraska ranchers were the key to changing the route of the Keystone XL pipeline, but they say they aren't finished yet.

Young Farmers Find Huge Obstacles to Getting Started     Top Story 
Nov 21, 2011 -- New York Times article via Center for Rural Affairs tells of a survey by the National Young Farmers’ Coalition of more than 1,000 young farmers nationwide done in an effort to identify the pitfalls that are keeping a new generation of Americans from going into agriculture.

CMU Wants to Bring Doctors to Rural Areas     Top Story 
Nov 18, 2011 -- Midland Daily News, (MI) reports that Central Michigan University’s new College of Medicine, due to open in the summer of 2013 with an inaugural class of 60 students, is intent on bridging a growing gap for accessible health care in rural areas.

Conference to Focus on Changing Demographics     Top Story 
Nov 18, 2011 -- The National Rural Health Association reports that former U.S. Census Bureau Director Steve Murdock, PhD, will give the keynote address during the 17th annual Rural Multiracial and Multicultural Conference to be held Dec. 7 and 8 in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Counties Face Dire Straits If Timber Payments End
Nov 18, 2011 -- Register-Guard, (OR) article reports that Oregon counties face the loss of about 4,000 jobs, $400 million in business sales and $250 million in income if federal timber payments under the Secure Rural Schools act are allowed to end in June, economists at Oregon State University said Thursday in a new report.

Federal Partners Unite to Help Rural Communities with Environmental and Economic Goals     Top Story 
Nov 18, 2011 -- Federal officials hosted a White House Rural Council meeting with local officials in rural North Carolina to discuss the benefits the American Jobs Act can have on rural communities and share a new report highlighting how small towns and rural places across the country are using federal resources to enhance economic vitality and protect the environment.

Kids with Toothaches: Lost in the Health Care Debate
Nov 18, 2011 -- PBS Newshour article discusses how somewhat lost in the war of words over health care reform is a stepchild of the debate: dental care, that is a bad situation that is getting worse.

Medicare Program; Town Hall Meeting on FY 2013 Applications for New Medical Services and Technology Add-On Payments Under the Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System     Federal Register 
Nov 18, 2011 -- This notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces a town hall meeting to be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, to discuss fiscal year (FY) 2013 applications for add-on payments for new medical services and technologies under the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS).

National Electronic Health Records Network Gets Closer     Top Story 
Nov 18, 2011 -- CNN Money article reports that the ambitious goal of setting up a nationwide, interconnected, private and secure electronic health records system isn't yet a reality -- but we're getting closer due to the 2009 Recovery Act that set aside more than $20 billion for incentives to health care providers that deploy and meaningfully use certified electronic health records systems in their offices or hospitals.

Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2008: Amendments to Program Regulations     Federal Register 
Nov 18, 2011 -- Comments are being requested by the Department of Housing and Urban Development on this proposed rule that would make several revisions to the regulations governing the Indian Housing Block Grant Program and the Title VI Loan Guarantee Program.

Native Business Owners Testify Before Congress; Reservation Populations Growing, Access to Capitol Difficult
Nov 18, 2011 -- South Dakota Public Broadcasting article via Center for Rural Affairs reports that the issue of economic development in Indian Country took center stage in front of the United States Senate Banking Committee late last week.

Over 100,000 Primary Care Providers Sign Up to Adopt Electronic Health Records Through their Regional Extension Centers     Top Story 
Nov 18, 2011 -- The HHS Office for the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology announced today that more than 100,000 primary care providers are adopting certified Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to help improve their quality of care and ultimately lower health care costs.

Program Brings Dental Care to Remote Alaskans, but Some Dentists Are Skeptical
Nov 18, 2011 -- PBS NewsHour health correspondent Betty Ann Bowser examines the program that trains dental therapists to perform basic care in rural Alaska, which has been met with both praise and skepticism.

Recruiting Spring 2012 Interns
Nov 18, 2011 -- The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center reports that the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization in Washington, DC, is currently seeking creative and detail-oriented interns for Spring 2012.

Unprecedented Tool Developed for Small Businesses to Find and Compare Health Insurance Plans     Top Story 
Nov 18, 2011 -- A greatly expanded website to give small business owners an unprecedented detailed review of their health insurance plan choices was announced today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

'We Don't Have to Die ...'     Top Story 
Nov 17, 2011 -- Daily Yonder article discusses the "brain drain" on small towns and how adults should be asking rural young people what should be done to make their communities better.

CMS Innovation Challenge Webinar - Thursday, November 17th     Top Story 
Nov 17, 2011 -- The Administration on Aging reports that the CMS Innovation Center staff will be hosting a webinar overview of the Health Care Innovation Challenge on Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 2:00pm – 3:30pm (EST.)

National Rural Health Day Long Overdue     Top Story 
Nov 17, 2011 -- HealthLeaders Media article tells how today state offices of rural health, rural hospitals, and other rural health organizations across the country will get a chance to recognize their achievements by participating in National Rural Health Day, a long-overdue celebration of rural healthcare.

National Rural Health Day Raises Awareness for Veterans in Need     Top Story 
Nov 17, 2011 -- The Atlantic article reports that today is the first National Rural Health Day, and the VA Office of Rural Health Director Mary Beth Skupien said she's proud of how far the office has come since it began three years ago. The office is most focused on getting veterans better access to care close to home and specialty care in their communities, she said.

New State-By-State Report: Employer Health Insurance Premiums Increased 50 Percent from 2003 to 2010; Employees' Share of Premiums Increased 63 Percent     Top Story 
Nov 17, 2011 -- Premiums for employer-sponsored family health insurance increased by 50 percent from 2003 to 2010, and the annual amount that employees pay toward their insurance increased by 63 percent as businesses required employees to contribute a greater share, according to a new Commonwealth Fund report that examines state trends in health insurance costs.

Obama Administration Announces $749 Million to Fund Housing for Very Low-Income Seniors and Persons with Disabilities
Nov 17, 2011 -- Thousands more very low-income senior citizens and persons with disabilities will have access to affordable supportive housing thanks to $749 million in housing assistance announced today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

RAC Webinar: The Affordable Care Act: An Update from the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services     Top Story 
Nov 17, 2011 -- The Rural Assistance Center is offering a free webinar on Friday, December 2, 2011, featuring an update from the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services on the effects of the Affordable Care Act on rural areas.

American Academy of Family Physicians Announces Re-launch of its Award-winning Website, FamilyDoctor.org     Top Story 
Nov 16, 2011 -- The American Academy of Family Physicians has announced their recently launched redesigned patient education website, FamilyDoctor.org, an award-winning site that aims to improve health literacy and patient engagement through a new set of tools and features.

CMS Announces New Demonstrations to Help Curb Improper Medicare, Medicaid Payments     Top Story 
Nov 16, 2011 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced it will launch demonstration programs beginning in January 2012 targeting some of the most common factors that lead to improper Medicare and Medicaid payments.

Federal Emergency Management Agency; Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program     Federal Register 
Nov 16, 2011 -- This notice provides guidelines that describe the application process for grants and the criteria for awarding grants in the fiscal year (FY) 2011 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program year application period for the FY 2011 AFG Program year that was open from August 15, 2011, to September 23, 2011.

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request     Federal Register 
Nov 15, 2011 -- This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to request that the Office of Management and Budget approve the proposed information collection project: "Assessing the Feasibility of Disseminating Effective Health Care Products through a Shared Electronic Medical Record Serving Member Organization of a Health Information Exchange."

Deadline for Submitting Completed Applications to Begin Participation in the Tribal Self-Governance Program in Fiscal Year 2013 or Calendar Year 2013     Federal Register 
Nov 15, 2011 -- In this notice, the Office of Self-Governance (OSG) establishes a March 1, 2012, deadline for Indian tribes/consortia to submit completed applications to begin participation in the tribal self-governance program in fiscal year 2013 or calendar year 2013.

Health Care Experts Strongly Support Continued Implementation of Health Care Reform Law     Top Story 
Nov 15, 2011 -- Commonwealth Fund article reports that nearly nine of 10 leaders in health and health care policy recently surveyed (89%) said it is important for federal and state policymakers to continue to move forward in implementing the Affordable Care Act.

Impact of Social Security, State by State     Top Story 
Nov 15, 2011 -- Daily Yonder article discusses how in some states, Social Security payments are a large portion of total personal income. In others, it is tiny, and the proportions change depending on whether you live in an urban or a rural county.

Supreme Court Will Hear Challenge to Health Law     Top Story 
Nov 15, 2011 -- Kaiser Health News brings together a variety of articles discussing how the Supreme Court decided on Monday to review President Obama’s 2010 health-care overhaul, promising a high-profile hearing on the question dominating American politics: the constitutional limits of the federal government’s power.

USDA Announces Funding to Help Rural Public Television Stations Transition to Digital Broadcasting     Top Story 
Nov 15, 2011 -- Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager has announced $4.75 million in grants to assist rural public television stations complete the digital transition of their programs.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding to Expand and Improve Broadband Services in Rural Areas     Top Story 
Nov 14, 2011 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced funding for 28 telephone utilities to build, expand and improve broadband in their rural service territories across 18 states.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Recipients for Energy Audits, Renewable Energy Development Assistance, and Feasibility Studies Funding
Nov 14, 2011 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA has selected for funding 67 projects nationwide that are focused on helping rural agricultural producers reduce energy consumption and costs; use renewable energy technologies in their operation; and/or conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects.

Arizona CEO Receives AHA Shirley Ann Munroe Award     Top Story 
Nov 14, 2011 -- AHA News Now reports that they have awarded its 2011 Shirley Ann Munroe Leadership Award to James Dickson, CEO of Copper Queen Community Hospital in Bisbee, AZ. The award recognizes small or rural hospital leaders who have improved health care delivery in their communities through innovative and progressive efforts.

Disaster Designation Process     Federal Register 
Nov 14, 2011 -- The Farm Service Agency (FSA) proposes to amend the disaster designation regulations with simplified procedures for designating USDA Secretarial disaster areas.

Hispanics Reviving Faded Towns on the Plains     Top Story 
Nov 14, 2011 -- New York Times article via Center for Rural Affairs tells how Hispanics are arriving in numbers large enough to offset or even exceed the decline in the white population in many places on the rural Great Plains.

HIT Policy Committee's Workgroup Meetings; Notice of Meetings     Federal Register 
Nov 14, 2011 -- This notice announces forthcoming subcommittee meetings of a Federal advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). The meetings will be open to the public via dial-in access only.

New AHRQ Campaign Encourages Hispanics to Work with Their Doctors to Make the Best Treatment Decisions
Nov 14, 2011 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is partnering with Hispanic-serving organizations to promote the Agency's Spanish-language resources and to encourage consumers to become more active partners in their health care.

Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Community Development Financial Institutions the Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program FY 2012 Funding Round     Top Story      Federal Register 
Nov 14, 2011 -- The Department of the Treasury is inviting applications for the FY 2012 Funding Round of the Native American Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Assistance Program that provides funding to build the community development capacity of Certified Native CDFIs, Emerging Native CDFIs, and Sponsoring Entities, and to increase access to capital in Native Communities.
Learn more about: Native American CDFI Assistance Program

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; HIT Policy Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting     Federal Register 
Nov 14, 2011 -- This notice from the Department of Health and Human Services announces a forthcoming public advisory meeting of the HIT Policy Committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), to be held December 7, 2011, in Washington, D.C.

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; HIT Standards Committee Advisory Meeting; Notice of Meeting     Federal Register 
Nov 14, 2011 -- This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of the HIT Standards Committee, a public advisory committee of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), to be held to be held December 14, 2011, in Washington, D.C.

We Can’t Wait: Health Care Innovation Challenge Will Improve Care, Save Money, Focus on Health Care Jobs     Top Story 
Nov 14, 2011 -- The Department of Health and Human Services announces the launch of the Health Care Innovation Challenge where up to $1 billion dollars will be awarded to innovative projects across the country that test creative ways to deliver high quality medical care and save money. The grants will also give preference to projects that rapidly hire, train and deploy health care workers.
Learn more about: Health Care Innovation Challenge

'Where Soldiers Come From'     Top Story 
Nov 10, 2011 -- Daily Yonder article reviews a new movie, Where Soldiers Come From, that shows why rural communities become the places that send so many of their young to war.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Economic Development Funding to Create Jobs, Economic Opportunity and Strengthen Rural Communities     Top Story 
Nov 10, 2011 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of 35 rural microdevelopment organizations for loans and grants through the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program to support rural business development, create jobs, and strengthen local communities.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding for More Than 500 Projects to Boost Renewable Energy Production, Reduce Energy Costs for Producers and Rural Small Businesses     Top Story 
Nov 10, 2011 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack yesterday announced that USDA is funding projects through the Rural Energy for America Program to harness wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric power to reduce energy costs for farms and small business across rural America.

Governor: New Law to Address Doctor Shortage in Michigan
Nov 10, 2011 -- WNEM TV5 article reports that Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation aimed at helping alleviate Michigan's growing doctor shortage by authorizing physician assistants to take on more responsibility for patient care.

Medicare Program; End-Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System and Quality Incentive Program; Ambulance Fee Schedule; Durable Medical Equipment; and Competitive Acquisition of Certain Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies     Federal Register 
Nov 10, 2011 -- This final rule updates and makes certain revisions to the End-Stage Renal Disease prospective payment system, revises the ambulance fee schedule regulations to conform to statutory changes, revises the definition of durable medical equipment, and implements certain provisions of section 154 of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) related to the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Acquisition Program.

What About Walmart's Plans to Add Health Clinics?     Top Story 
Nov 10, 2011 -- Kaiser Health News brings together a variety of articles discussing Wal-mart's plan to expand the kinds of healthcare services it offers at dozens of stores across the country.

Center for Rural Health Receives 1.1 Million in Grants - Flex SHIP FCHIP
Nov 9, 2011 -- The Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences has received $1,117,968 in grant funds through the North Dakota Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (Flex), the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP), and the North Dakota Frontier Community Health Integration Project (FCHIP).

How to Make Your Nursing Facility RAC-Ready
Nov 9, 2011 -- McKnight's article gives tips on how to make your skilled nursing facility ready for Recovery Audit Contractors (RACS), independent auditors for the government that are preparing to audit every facility that has submitted Medicare claims.

IOM Report Recommends Public/Private Steps to Reduce Health IT Safety Risks     Top Story 
Nov 9, 2011 -- AHA News Now article tells of a report released today by the Institute of Medicine that discusses how patient safety risks associated with health information technology should be addressed by both public and private entities.

Medicare Expands Coverage of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Services     Top Story 
Nov 9, 2011 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) yesterday announced that Medicare is adding coverage for a number of preventive services to reduce cardiovascular disease, adding to the existing portfolio of free preventive services that are now available for people with Medicare, because of the Affordable Care Act.

Rural Counties Show Slow Job Gains     Top Story 
Nov 9, 2011 -- Daily Yonder article reports that the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that more than half of the nation's rural counties have more jobs this September than in September 2010, however, the improvement was slight.

SHIP - Small Hospitals Receive Funds through UND Center for Rural Health
Nov 9, 2011 -- The Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences will distribute over $318,000 from the Small Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) to 36 rural hospitals in North Dakota.