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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

May 17, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the charter renewal of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The charter renewal is effective for a two-year period, through April 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
May 17, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) describing a new mandatory Medicare payment model, the Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model (IOTA Model). The IOTA Model would test whether performance-based incentive payments paid to or owed by participating kidney transplant hospitals increase access to kidney transplants for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) while preserving or enhancing the quality of care and reducing Medicare expenditures. This proposed rule also describes standard provisions for CMS Innovation Center (CMMI) models relating to beneficiary protections, cooperation in model evaluation and monitoring, audits and records retention, rights in data and intellectual property, monitoring and compliance, and more. These standard provisions would apply to any CMMI model whose first performance period begins on or after January 1, 2025, and in whole or in part to any CMMI model whose first performance period began before January 1, 2025. Comments are due by July 16, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 17, 2024 - The Food and Drug Administration has revoked Emergency Use Authorizations issued to Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., and Fast Track Diagnostics Luxembourg S.รก.r.l. (A Siemens Healthineers Company) related to COVID-19 detection and diagnosis tests.
Source: Federal Register
May 16, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "Prior Authorization Process and Requirements for Certain Hospital Outpatient Department (OPD) Services." CMS requires prior authorization for certain covered OPD services as a condition of Medicare payment to help to reduce unnecessary utilization and payments for these services. Comments are due by June 17, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 16, 2024 - The Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for certain medical devices related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These authorizations are effective on their date of issuance.
Source: Federal Register
May 16, 2024 - Texas A&M University-Kingsville's Institute for Rural Mental Health Initiatives is providing training to school personnel in rural counties on what signs to look for and how to report a concern with a student's behavior. The initiative will also assist school counselors and teachers in helping students handle grief and loss.
Source: KRIS 6 News
May 16, 2024 - The Senate Finance Committee heard from hospital leaders and healthcare experts, with the goal of finding ways to help rural hospitals find funding to stay open. Senator Ron Wyden and others said the issue is complicated and requires a multi-pronged approach. Discussion included the need for maternity care in rural hospitals.
Source: Oregon Capital Chronicle
May 15, 2024 - Announcement of public meetings of the Advisory Committee on Training and Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry (ACTPCMD) to take place throughout the 2024 calendar year. Meetings will be held on August 1-2, 2024, and at a later date that will be announced at least 30 days in advance. Information on how to join the meetings, agenda items, and other updates will be posted on the ACTPCMD website.
Source: Federal Register
May 15, 2024 - The Maternal Mental Health Task Force, formed in September by the Office on Women's Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, has recommended creating maternity care centers providing integrated care and birthing facilities. The maternal mental health crisis is particularly pronounced in rural communities that are maternity care deserts.
Source: NBC News
May 14, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on revisions to an information collection titled "Fast Track Appeals Notices: NOMNC/DENC." Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), home health agencies (HHAs), comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities (CORFs), and hospices must provide notice to all beneficiaries/enrollees whose Medicare-covered services are ending no later than two days in advance of the proposed termination of service via the Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNC). Comments are due by July 15, 2024.