Top Stories

Top news stories from the past 14 days. Please visit the News Archive for earlier stories.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding to Improve Transportation, Generate Economic Opportunity in Rural and Native American Communities
Mar 16, 2010 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA has selected the Community Transportation Association of America to receive grant funding that will be used to help bring transportation improvements to rural areas in seven states.

CMS Issues Delay in Physician Supervision Rule
Mar 16, 2010 -- Rural Health Voices article reports that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will instruct all of its Medicare contractors not to evaluate or enforce the supervision requirements for therapeutic services provided to outpatients in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for the duration of calendar year (CY) 2010.

Have America's Physicians Embraced e-Prescribing?
Mar 16, 2010 -- AAFP News reports that according to a new report released by Surescripts, operator of the country's largest electronic prescribing network, electronic prescribing is catching on with America's physicians.

HHS Announces Additional $162 Million in Recovery Act Investment to Advance Widespread Meaningful Use of Health IT
Mar 16, 2010 -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced awards to help states facilitate health information exchange and advance health information technology (health IT).

NRHA Submits Comment Letter on CMS First Stage Meaningful Use Guidelines
Mar 16, 2010 -- The National Rural Health Association, (NRHA) has submitted comments to CMS regarding its proposed guidelines for the first stage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) electronic health record (EHR) incentive payment program.

Piecemeal COBRA Health Insurance Subsidy Extensions Puzzle Laid-Off Workers
Mar 16, 2010 -- Kaiser Health News reports that officials from the U.S. Department of Labor have acknowledged public confusion regarding the COBRA extension and offer a toll-free hotline, 1-866-444-3272, to answer questions.

Technical Assistance Call Announced for the New Funding Opportunity: Rural Training Track Technical Assistance Demonstration Program (RTT-TA)
Mar 16, 2010 -- The Office of Rural Health Policy will hold a technical assistance conference call on Monday, March 22, 2010 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time to assist applicants in preparing their applications for the Rural Training Track Technical Assistance Demonstration Program.

US Department of Labor Announces Availability of Approximately $125 Million in Grants for Community-Based Job Training Grants
Mar 16, 2010 -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced the availability of approximately $125 million in funds for Community-Based Job Training Grants, to be able to create opportunities for working Americans to train for high-demand occupations with the help of community colleges and community-based organizations.
Learn more about: Community-Based Job Training Grants

Census Results are Vital for Rural Areas
Mar 15, 2010 -- Globe Gazette, (IA) editorial by Niel Ritche, Executive Director of the League of Rural Voters, tells why the U.S. Census is important to rural America.

F.C.C. Plan to Widen Internet Access in U.S. Sets Up Battle
Mar 15, 2010 -- New York Times article reports that the Federal Communications Commission is proposing an ambitious 10-year plan that will reimagine the nation’s media and technology priorities by establishing high-speed Internet as the country’s dominant communication network.

Health Care 101: A Consumer Primer on Obama's Bill
Mar 15, 2010 -- Associated Press article via WCAX News, (VT) discusses how it took lawmakers a year to shape President Barack Obama's health care bill, but if it finally passes Congress, it will take the better part of a decade to write the user manual for consumers and doctors, employers and insurance companies.

US Labor Department announces $67 Million in Grants for Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations and Alaska Native Entities
Mar 15, 2010 -- The U.S. Department of Labor has announced approximately $67 million in grant funds for the Workforce Investment Act Indian and Native American Program that will directly support American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities in both developing their local economies and preparing workers to better meet the needs of promising regional industries.
Learn more about: Workforce Investment Act (WIA) - Indian and Native American Employment and Training Programs

Without Reform, Family Health Care Spending to Skyrocket; 34% Increase by 2015, 79% by 2020
Mar 15, 2010 -- Without significant reform to the current health care system, the number of uninsured Americans could grow by 10 million people in just five years, and spending on government health care programs for the poor could more than double by 2020, according to a new report released today by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).

100 Percent of Primary Care Doctors in Denmark Use Electronic Medical Records
Mar 12, 2010 -- A new Commonwealth Fund profile points to lessons for the U.S. and health care reform, reporting that all primary care doctors in Denmark use electronic medical records and 98 percent have the ability to electronically manage patient care—including ordering prescriptions, drafting notes about patient visits, and sending appointment reminders.

Carrot-And-Stick Health Plans Aim to Cut Costs
Mar 12, 2010 -- Kaiser Health News article tells how workers at a Portland, Ore., steel mill soon will be able to pick a new type of insurance that offers free care for some illnesses, such as diabetes or depression, but requires hefty extra fees for treatments deemed overused, including knee replacements, hysterectomies and heart bypass surgery.

New National Study Reveals 12 Year Olds More Likely to Use Potentially Deadly Inhalants than Cigarettes or Marijuana
Mar 12, 2010 -- More 12 year olds have used potentially lethal inhalants than have used marijuana, cocaine and hallucinogens combined, according to data released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in conjunction with the 18th annual National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week

Primary Care Doctors Dwindling as Medical Students Opt for Specialties
Mar 12, 2010 -- Appleton Post-Crescent, (WI) article reports that even with the increased spotlight on wellness during the national health care debate, medical students are pursuing more financially lucrative areas of specialization, including orthopedic and cardiac care.

Senate Passes Rural Medicare Add-on Payments
Mar 12, 2010 -- National Rural Health Association, (NRHA) article reports that yesterday the Senate passed H.R. 4213, The Tax Extenders Act of 2009, the bill, which would primarily extend unemployment benefits to jobless Americans, was amended by Senator Max Baucus to include the extensions of the Medicare add-on payments for rural America that NRHA has been fighting for over the past year.

Obama Makes Impassioned Argument for Health Reform, Tough Measures to Combat Health Fraud
Mar 11, 2010 -- Kaiser Health News reports that President Barack Obama took his closing arguments for health care reform to the St. Louis area Wednesday, promoting "a new initiative to reduce waste in Medicare, Medicaid and other government programs."

SAMHSA is Accepting Applications for $31.7 Million in Grants for Family Centered Substance Abuse Treatment
Mar 11, 2010 -- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for Family Centered Substance Abuse Treatment Grants for Adolescents and their Families, to provide substance abuse services in geographic areas with unmet need.

Scholarships Available for NRHA's Annual Rural Health Conference
Mar 11, 2010 -- The National Rural Health Association has scholarship funds available for students and community members with a critical need for financial support with conference expenses.

Senate Bill Would Delay Medicare Physician Payment Cuts Until October 2010
Mar 11, 2010 -- Medicare Update reports that on March 10, 2010, the U.S. Senate passed legislation (H.R.4213) on a 62-36 vote, which would reportedly delay a scheduled 21.2 percent Medicare payment reduction for physician services until October 1, 2010.

ACF Announces the Availability of $42 Million in Competitive Grant Funding for Native American Communities and Organizations
Mar 10, 2010 -- The Administration for Children and Families, Administration for Native Americans announces the availability of $42 million in competitive grant funding for fiscal year 2010 for community-based projects that promote economic and social self-sufficiency and cultural preservation for American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Native American Pacific Islanders from American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

AHA Chart Compares Senate Health Reform Bill, President's Plan
Mar 10, 2010 -- The American Hospital Association (AHA) has compiled a document summarizing the Senate's health reform bill and noting elements that President Obama has suggested changing as part of a final reform package.

NACo Meeting Hears About More Dollars & More Attention for Rural America
Mar 10, 2010 -- Agri-Pulse article tells what top government officials told county government officials at the National Association of Counties (NACo) 2010 Legislative Conference in regards to health reform, job creation, sustainable community planning and development, and the rural doctor shortage.

Obama Makes Final Public Push for Health Reform as Democrats Consider Timeline
Mar 10, 2010 -- Kaiser Health News reports that President Obama is delivering his "closing argument" for health care reform in St. Louis today as Democratic leaders strategize on moving the bill through the House and Senate.

Comment Period Closing on Proposed Rule for Electronic Health Record Incentive Program
Mar 9, 2010 -- Medicare Update reports that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is reminding interested parties that on March 15, 2010 the comment period closes on the Proposed Rule, which would implement an electronic health records (EHR) incentive program for eligible professionals and eligible hospitals that adopt and meaningfully use certified EHR technology.

Docs Should Play Role in Increasing Immunization Uptake in Adults
Mar 9, 2010 -- AAFP article discusses how the vast majority of vaccine-preventable disease, hospitalizations and deaths in the United States occur among adults, and how physicians can help increase uptake levels for adult vaccinations by making the most of office visits with these patients to get them immunized.

Marketing Your Volunteer Fire or Ambulance Department
Mar 9, 2010 -- Associated Content article tells how to market your rural volunteer fire or ambulance department to bringing in much needed funding.

Senate Test Vote Today on Bill to Extend COBRA Subsidy, Doc Fix and State Medicaid Funding
Mar 9, 2010 -- Kaiser Health News reports that the Senate is poised to consider a measure today that would include extending subsidies for COBRA benefits and unemployment insurance, prevent the Medicare payment cut for doctors and provide additional funding to state Medicaid programs.

Broadband Can Close the Education Loop
Mar 8, 2010 -- Daily Yonder article discusses the possibility that rural broadband build-out could facilitate not only the infrastructure needed to bring telework positions to rural communities, but also provide the means for rural residents to enroll in distance learning courses that will help them to become more competitive in the national and global marketplace.

FCC Plans to Give High-Speed Internet to All Americans
Mar 8, 2010 -- RedOrbit article tells how the Federal Communications Commission wants to utilize government programs that could help make high-speed Internet accessible for all Americans.

HHS Secretary Sebelius Announces the Availability of Recovery Act Funds for Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative
Mar 8, 2010 -- HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a funding opportunity for national public or private non-profit organizations to apply for $10 million in cooperative agreements to help communities decrease smoking and obesity, increase physical activity and improve nutrition.

HRSA Announces Funding for the Equipment to Enhance Training for Health Professionals (EETHP) Initiative
Mar 8, 2010 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Health Professions is pleased to announce American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding opportunities for the Equipment to Enhance Training for Health Professionals (EETHP) Initiative.

Notice of Extension of Application Window for Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) and Solicitation of Applications     Federal Register 
Mar 8, 2010 -- The Rural Utilities Service announces they are extending the application window for applications under the second round of the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) until March 29, 2010 at 5 p.m. ET.
Learn more about: Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) (Round 2)

SAMHSA is Accepting Applications for More than $82.5 Million in Mental Health Transformation Grants to Help Adults with Serious Mental Illnesses
Mar 8, 2010 -- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for $82.5 million in Mental Health Transformation Grants (MHTG) that will provide States, Tribes and local governments the opportunity to expand treatment capacity and to identify emerging service needs of adults with serious mental illnesses, especially those related to economic problems.
Learn more about: Mental Health Transformation Grants

Sebelius Sends Letter to Insurance Company CEOs, Calls on Executives to Publicly Justify Premium Hikes
Mar 8, 2010 -- In a letter to the CEOs of UnitedHealth Group Inc., WellPoint Inc., Aetna Inc., Health Care Service Corporation and CIGNA HealthCare Inc., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius called on the executives to publicly justify proposed health insurance premium increases. Sebelius’ letter comes after a meeting last week with these executives at the White House.

Special Report: Rural Health
Mar 8, 2010 -- David Wahlberg, a reporter with the Wisconsin State Journal, offers a series of articles discussing the rural health care gap and how good, consistent health care is hard to come by in rural areas across America.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Rural Broadband Projects to Bring Economic Opportunity to Communities in 18 States and Territories
Mar 5, 2010 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of 22 broadband infrastructure projects to give rural residents in 18 states or territories access to improved economic and educational opportunities.

Amid Calls for More Highly Educated Nurses, New AACN Data Show Impressive Growth in Doctoral Nursing Programs
Mar 5, 2010 -- According to new survey data released today by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), enrollment in doctoral nursing programs increased by more than 20% this year, signaling strong interest among students in careers as nursing scientists, faculty, primary care providers, and specialists.

In White House Meeting, Sebelius Urges Insurers to Release All Details on Rate Hikes
Mar 5, 2010 -- Kaiser Health News article summarizes articles from several news sources that tells how Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told a group of insurance executives during a White House meeting Thursday that insurance companies should disclose more information about how they spend money to justify their rate hikes.

US Department of Labor Announces Online Tools for Grant Applicants
Mar 5, 2010 -- The U.S. Department of Labor today launched an online suite of resources for grant applicants, designed specifically for small community organizations and first-time applicants for Employment and Training Administration funding.

'Meaningful Use' Rule Needs Significant Modifications, Says AAFP
Mar 4, 2010 -- American Academy of Family Physician's (AAFP) article details their response to the federal government's Dec. 30 release of electronic health record regulations that define the term "meaningful use."

HHS Releases Proposed Rule on Testing and Certifying Electronic Health Records
Mar 4, 2010 -- Medicare Update reports that on March 3, 2010, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released display copy of a Proposed Rule outlining a proposed approach for establishing a certification program to test and certify electronic health records (EHR).

HHS Teams Up with Olympic Athletes to Fight Childhood Obesity
Mar 4, 2010 -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has enlisted the help of more than a dozen Olympic athletes to combat the challenge of childhood obesity by providing the American public with tips to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Obama Finally Delivers a Health Roadmap
Mar 4, 2010 -- Washington Post, (DC) article reports that it may have taken over a year, but President Obama finally told Congress and the public Wednesday what he wants in a health care bill, when he wants it and how he thinks it should pass.

To Heck with the Four Food Groups
Mar 4, 2010 -- Daily Yonder article tells of a renowned family physician has taken aim at starch propaganda, says it's time to reinvent the dinner plate.

UPDATE: Temporary Extension Act Delays Medicare Physician Payment Reduction for 30 Days
Mar 4, 2010 -- In a Statement, the White House Press Secretary announced that the President signed the Temporary Extension Act of 2010 (H.R.4691) into law on March 2, 2010. Passage of the bill will extend COBRA health care premium assistance, the Satellite Home Viewer Act, surface transportation funding and small business lending through March 31. It would extend payment rates to Medicare providers through April 1, 2010, and would extend unemployment insurance through April 5.

A Reason for Higher Rural Unemployment: Education
Mar 3, 2010 -- Daily Yonder article discusses how one reason rural counties have shown consistently higher unemployment rates during this recession is education.

New FCC Broadband Plan Adds $9 Billion to Rural
Mar 3, 2010 -- Daily Yonder article reports that one of the goals of Federal Communication Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski is to extend 100 megabit per second service to 100 million homes by 2020, a plan that would spend $9 billion to bring broadband to rural areas faster.

Office of Rural Health Policy Announces FY 2010 Network Planning Awards
Mar 3, 2010 -- The Office of Rural Health Policy has announced 30 new Network Planning Grant Awards.

One in Three Small Town Residents Without Health Coverage by 2019
Mar 3, 2010 -- According to a recently released Center for Rural Affairs' report, approximately one in three rural Americans living in communities with fewer than 2,500 residents will be uninsured by 2019.

Proposed Health IT Certification Programs
Mar 3, 2010 -- Rural Health Voices article reports that yesterday the Department of Health and Human Services released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Establishment of Certification Programs for Health Information Technology (Health IT).

Sen. Bunning Ends Objection to Extending Jobless Benefits
Mar 3, 2010 -- Seattle Times, (WA) article reports that on Tuesday night Kentucky Sen. Bunning ended his one-man blockade against unemployment benefits, Medicare payments to doctors, satellite TV to rural Americans and paychecks to highway workers.

Senator Michael Bennet Introduces Bill for Hospital Health IT
Mar 3, 2010 -- Dotmed News article reports that Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) has introduced S. 2838, the Rural Health Access and Improvement Act of 2009, a bill that would give critical access hospitals priority in receiving grants under the Public Health Service Act, to assist in promotion of hospital health information technology.

Student Enrollment Expands at U.S. Nursing Colleges and Universities for the 9th Year Despite Financial Challenges and Capacity Restraints
Mar 3, 2010 -- The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) today released preliminary survey data showing that enrollment in entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs increased by 3.5 percent from 2008 to 2009, however nursing schools point to a shortage of faculty, insufficient clinical education sites, and budget cuts as barriers to future growth.