Rural health care workforce resources related to rural health and human services, with information provided by the Rural Assistance Center Copyright 2009 Rural Assistance Center http://www.raconline.org/info_guides/hc_providers/ Medicare Update reports that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently released a cost estimate for the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009 (H.R.3961), which would repeal the now 21.2 percent Medicare payment rate reduction for physician services in 2010 and restructure the sustainable growth rate (SGR). http://medicareupdate.typepad.com/medicare_update/2009/11/medicarephysicianpaymentreformact.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:41:39 CST http://medicareupdate.typepad.com/medicare_update/2009/11/medicarephysicianpaymentreformact.html -- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services http://medicareupdate.typepad.com/medicare_update/2009/10/specialopendoorforumpqri.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:57:27 CST http://medicareupdate.typepad.com/medicare_update/2009/10/specialopendoorforumpqri.html The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Friday announced final changes to policies and payment rates for services to be furnished during calendar year (CY 2010) by over 1 million physicians and nonphysician practitioners who are paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). http://www.raconline.org/news/news_details.php?news_id=12467 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:12:37 CST http://www.raconline.org/news/news_details.php?news_id=12467 -- Health Resources and Services Administration http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/traineeshipsta.htm Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:47:48 CST http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/traineeshipsta.htm -- Health Resources and Services Administration http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/traineeshipsta.htm Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:37:51 CST http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/traineeshipsta.htm Associated Press article via Chicago Tribune, (IL) reports that the Senate today confirmed Dr. Regina Benjamin to be the U.S. surgeon general, elevating a well-known Alabama family physician to be the nation's top doctor. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-us-surgeon-general,0,348849.story Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:45:17 CST http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-us-surgeon-general,0,348849.story House Committee on Ways and Means reports that yesterday, in conjunction with comprehensive health reform legislation, House leaders introduced a bill that would permanently reform the Medicare physician payment system. http://waysandmeans.house.gov/News.asp?FormMode=release&ID=960 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:33:32 CST http://waysandmeans.house.gov/News.asp?FormMode=release&ID=960 This third chapter of "Handbook for Rural Health Care Ethics," examines questions regarding the significance of morality and ethics to rural health care professionals, how they are useful, and how professionals can balance contradicting values, then presents suggestions for nurturing these values. -- Board of Trustees of Dartmouth College http://dms.dartmouth.edu/cfm/resources/ethics/chapter-03.pdf Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:43:00 CST http://dms.dartmouth.edu/cfm/resources/ethics/chapter-03.pdf The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the Medicare Physician Guide that offers general information about certain aspects of the Medicare program including enrollment, reimbursement, payment policies, evaluation and management services, protecting the Medicare Trust Fund, and inquires, overpayments and fee-for-service appeals. http://medicareupdate.typepad.com/medicare_update/2009/10/medicarephysicianguide.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:18:26 CST http://medicareupdate.typepad.com/medicare_update/2009/10/medicarephysicianguide.html This second chapter of "Handbook for Rural Health Care Ethics", addresses factors such as: geographic isolation, small population, and close social and/or kinship relationships among community members, that can cause or impact ethical dilemmas. -- Board of Trustees of Dartmouth College http://dms.dartmouth.edu/cfm/resources/ethics/chapter-02.pdf Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:48:47 CST http://dms.dartmouth.edu/cfm/resources/ethics/chapter-02.pdf Analyzes, solves, and anticipates health care ethics dilemmas to provide general ethics information and related guidance for clinicians and administrators of rural health care facilities. -- Board of Trustees of Dartmouth College http://dms.dartmouth.edu/cfm/resources/ethics/full-book.pdf Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:40:51 CST http://dms.dartmouth.edu/cfm/resources/ethics/full-book.pdf Associated Press article via Idaho Statesman tells how eight community colleges have joined Oregon Health and Science University to create the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education, allowing students in rural areas of the state to complete their coursework for a bachelor's while remaining in their community. http://www.idahostatesman.com/businessnews/story/944090.html Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:51:16 CST http://www.idahostatesman.com/businessnews/story/944090.html Medicare Update article reports that on October 21, 2009, the U.S. Senate voted 47-53 on a cloture motion for the Medicare Physician Fairness Act of 2009 (S.1776), which would eliminate the 21.5 percent Medicare payment rate reduction for physician services in 2010 and sunset the sustainable growth rate (or SGR) formula. http://medicareupdate.typepad.com/medicare_update/2009/10/medicarephysicianfairnessact-1.html Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:48:17 CST http://medicareupdate.typepad.com/medicare_update/2009/10/medicarephysicianfairnessact-1.html Ergonomics Today article reports that Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) has introduced legislation that would establish standards for safe patient handling and injury prevention for health care workers. http://www.ergoweb.com/news/detail.cfm?id=2394 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:22:37 CST http://www.ergoweb.com/news/detail.cfm?id=2394 Ivanhoe Newswire article reports that data from the U.S. Census Bureau suggests the future physician workforce could be younger and fewer in number than previously thought. http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=22619 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:03:45 CST http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=22619 Rockville MD November 19, 2009 -- Health Resources and Services Administration http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-25276.htm Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:46:44 CST http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-25276.htm The National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice will hold a public meeting, November 19-20 in Rockville, MD. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-25276.htm Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:42:53 CST http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-25276.htm Reviews major policy issues related to the nursing workforce, drawing upon prior Urban Institute work, new literature review, assessment of federal survey data, and key informant interviews. -- Urban Institute http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411933_professionalnurse.pdf Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:30:08 CST http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411933_professionalnurse.pdf Enrollment in both new and existing U.S. medical schools continues to expand to meet the nation's need for more doctors, according to data released today by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges). http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/pressrel/2009/091020.htm Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:15:49 CST http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/pressrel/2009/091020.htm Washington DC November 17, 2009 -- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/Downloads/Physicians111709.pdf Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:49:43 CST http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/Downloads/Physicians111709.pdf Tulsa World, (OK) article reports that Oklahoma State University (OSU) College of Osteopathic Medicine has launched a program designed to prepare future physicians for practice in rural areas. http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=17&articleid=20091011_17_A1_Charit997412&archive=yes Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:44:16 CST http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=17&articleid=20091011_17_A1_Charit997412&archive=yes AHA News reports that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today updated its H1N1 infection control guidance for health care settings, including use of N95 respirators. http://www.ahanews.com/ahanews_app/jsp/display.jsp?dcrpath=AHANEWS/AHANewsNowArticle/data/ann_101409_CDC&domain=AHANEWS Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:15:05 CST http://www.ahanews.com/ahanews_app/jsp/display.jsp?dcrpath=AHANEWS/AHANewsNowArticle/data/ann_101409_CDC&domain=AHANEWS American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) article reports that Lori J. Heim, M.D., FAAFP, a family physician in Laurinburg, N.C., assumes the role of president of the AAFP today. http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/media/releases/newsreleases-statements-2009/president-heim.html Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:04:07 CST http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/media/releases/newsreleases-statements-2009/president-heim.html Newswise article reports that people who live in rural areas may run a greater risk of having perforated appendix than those in suburban and urban areas, according to a new study out of Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH. http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/556773/?sc=rsmn Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:15:01 CST http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/556773/?sc=rsmn AAFP article discusses how health care reform in the U.S. will not succeed unless it includes policies that encourage tens of thousands of medical students to choose primary medical care specialties. http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/media/releases/newsreleases-statements-2009/familyphysicianworkforcereform.html Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:27:07 CST http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/media/releases/newsreleases-statements-2009/familyphysicianworkforcereform.html The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) reports that they are supporting a Senate bill that would give medical schools the resources to establish or expand rural physician training programs. http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/publications/news/news-now/government-medicine/20091013ruralphysicianslegs.html Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:53:08 CST http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/publications/news/news-now/government-medicine/20091013ruralphysicianslegs.html Miami Hearld, (FL) article via Acute Care, Inc. discusses how overhauling the health system could offer a lifeline to hospitals, doctors and nurses that serve the nation's small towns and agricultural communities, but they fear that Congress might not provide either enough money or the right incentives to allow rural hospitals to cover their costs and recruit talented medical professionals. http://acutecareinc.wordpress.com/2009/10/10/rural-hospitals-fear-health-care-overhaul-wont-help-them/ Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:33:41 CST http://acutecareinc.wordpress.com/2009/10/10/rural-hospitals-fear-health-care-overhaul-wont-help-them/ Rockville MD November 12, 2009 -- Health Resources and Services Administration http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-24394.htm Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:33:54 CST http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-24394.htm Rockville MD November 12, 2009 -- Health Resources and Services Administration http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/medicine-dentistry/actpcmd/ Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:29:00 CST http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/medicine-dentistry/actpcmd/ A public meeting of the National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps will be held November 12-14, 2009 at the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Executive Meeting Center, Rockville, MD. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-24394.htm Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:21:05 CST http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-24394.htm