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/ Kaiser Health News reports that the House voted largely along party lines Thursday to permanently end annual cuts in doctors' Medicare payments, which the Congress has temporarily averted from year to year, http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Daily-Reports/2009/November/20/medicare-Doc-fix-vote.aspx Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:47:25 CST http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Daily-Reports/2009/November/20/medicare-Doc-fix-vote.aspx Washington DC December 16, 2009 -- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/Downloads/Physicians121609r.pdf Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:03:03 CST http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/Downloads/Physicians121609r.pdf Two of the nations organizations representing long term care providers and physicians the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) issued new recommendations regarding the use of Physician Order Sheets and Verbal Orders in Americas nursing homes. http://www.ahcancal.org/News/news_releases/Pages/AHCAAMDARecommendationsonPhysicianOrders.aspx Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:37:12 CST http://www.ahcancal.org/News/news_releases/Pages/AHCAAMDARecommendationsonPhysicianOrders.aspx Examines the current and projected future adequacy of pharmacist supply in the United States, and the future balance between supply and demand, by using HRSA's Bureau of Health Professions Pharmacist Supply and Requirements Model (PhSRM). Reflects findings from a literature review, original empirical analysis, and discussions with representatives from pharmaceutical associations and subject matter experts to develop supply and demand scenarios. -- Health Resources and Services Administration ftp://ftp.hrsa.gov/bhpr/workforce/pharmacy.pdf Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:57:20 CST ftp://ftp.hrsa.gov/bhpr/workforce/pharmacy.pdf Funding is available from the Indian Health Service for a loan repayment program for health professions educational loans (undergraduate and graduate) in return for full-time clinical service in Indian health programs. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-27721.htm Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:33:41 CST http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-27721.htm More than 85,000 physicians and other eligible professionals who successfully reported quality-related data to Medicare under the 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) received incentive payments totaling more than $92 million, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today, well above the $36 million paid in 2007. http://www.raconline.org/news/news_details.php?news_id=12546 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:53:23 CST http://www.raconline.org/news/news_details.php?news_id=12546 Green Valley News & Sun, (AZ) article tells of a new facility in Phoenix, known as the T-Health Institute, that will help train doctors in telemedicine and allow practitioners to treat patients in rural communities. http://www.gvnews.com/articles/2009/11/07/news/35atelemed.txt Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:33:58 CST http://www.gvnews.com/articles/2009/11/07/news/35atelemed.txt 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 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 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 NR Today, (OR) 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.nrtoday.com/article/20091022/NEWS/910229998/1026/NONE&parentprofile=1055 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:51:16 CST http://www.nrtoday.com/article/20091022/NEWS/910229998/1026/NONE&parentprofile=1055 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 Discusses the impact of student debt load on primary care workforce. -- Health Workforce Information Center http://www.healthworkforceinfo.org/news/sept09/phillips.php Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:14:58 CST http://www.healthworkforceinfo.org/news/sept09/phillips.php Provides a brief overview of the impact of student debt load on primary care workforce. -- Health Workforce Information Center http://www.healthworkforceinfo.org/news/sept09/debt.php Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:14:04 CST http://www.healthworkforceinfo.org/news/sept09/debt.php Free resources for students, beginning professionals, and anyone who wants to improve their score on a standardized test. Includes GED, ACT and SAT test study guides. http://www.studyguidezone.com/ Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:17:56 CST http://www.studyguidezone.com/ In this blog, sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians, authors post their experiences while practicing family medicine in rural areas as well as posting about other topics related to rural family physicians. -- American Academy of Family Physicians http://blogs.aafp.org/roc/rural/ Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:23:02 CST http://blogs.aafp.org/roc/rural/ Provides information to dentists who were educated outside the United States and Canada and wish to obtain a dental license in the U.S. -- American Dental Association http://www.ada.org/prof/prac/licensure/us.asp Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:17:48 CST http://www.ada.org/prof/prac/licensure/us.asp Examines hot jobs in four of the fastest growing sectors of the economy: education, health care, information technology, and energy and environment. http://www.dlc.org/documents/DLC_HotJobs.pdf Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:07:21 CST http://www.dlc.org/documents/DLC_HotJobs.pdf Phase three of a series of studies to assess both rural and non-rural primary care and specialty care physicians self reported levels of perseverance, passion and satisfaction in current practice in Idaho. -- Idaho State Office of Rural Health and Primary Care http://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Portals/0/Health/Rural%20Health/WorkforceStudyPhaseIIIReport.pdf Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:56:30 CST http://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Portals/0/Health/Rural%20Health/WorkforceStudyPhaseIIIReport.pdf Annual scholarship program to help outstanding students complete their studies leading to a BSN degree. -- MinorityNurses.Com http://www.raconline.org/funding/funding_details.php?funding_id=2240 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:13:10 CST http://www.raconline.org/funding/funding_details.php?funding_id=2240