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Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare quality

Mar 28, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on updates to the prospective payment system for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) for fiscal year 2025. Among other things, this rule proposes updates to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) market area delineations for the IRF prospective payment system (PPS) wage index, proposes a 3-year phase-out of the rural adjustments, and includes proposals for the IRF Quality Reporting Program. Comments are due within 60 days of the publication of this notice, which is scheduled for March 29, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 25, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) on May 21-22, 2024. The PACCARB advises and provides information and recommendations to the Secretary of HHS regarding programs and policies intended to reduce or combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria that may present a public health threat. The confirmed times, agenda, and information on how to register and provide public comment during the meeting will be published on the PACCARB website.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 19, 2024 - The National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS) will hold a virtual public meeting on April 11-12, 2024. Agenda items include discussions on the 2024 workplan and briefings and discussions with invited experts on several health data policy topics, including standards for social determinants of health data elements, possible implications of value based care models versus fee-for-service on HIPAA standards, an overview of the key elements of the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) published by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) in November 2023, and exploration of privacy and security in AI in technology and healthcare. Registration for the meeting is available on the NCVHS website.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 27, 2024 - Announces a 4-part webinar series, starting March 12, 2024, presented by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) in collaboration with the Rural Health Information Hub, to support access to safe, high-quality maternity care in rural communities. Webinars will cover information on achieving the Birthing-Friendly Hospital Designation from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), working with Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (PQCs) to improve care, implementing AIM bundles to improve patient safety, and how rural hospitals without birthing units can prepared for patient needs.
Source: Rural Health Information Hub
Feb 26, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Minimum Data Set 3.0 Nursing Home and Swing Bed Prospective Payment System (PPS) for the collection of data related to the Patient Driven Payment Model and the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (QRP); and 2) National Implementation of the Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (OAS CAHPS) Survey. Comments are due by March 27, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 26, 2024 - The Health Resources and Services Administration will hold a public meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS) on April 9-11, 2024. The agenda will include discussions on technology and innovation in rural health and quality reporting by Rural Health Clinics. Information about NACRHHS and the agenda for this meeting will be available on the NACRHHS website. Written statements and requests to make oral comments should be submitted to Sahira Rafiullah at least 3 business days prior to the meeting.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 20, 2024 - The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is requesting nominations for the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality to serve 3-year terms and replace seven current members whose terms will expire in November 2024. The committee advises the AHRQ director and the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding AHRQ's mission. At least one member of the committee must be familiar with rural health issues. Nominations are due within 60 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 16, 2024 - Highlights Project ECHO Nevada, a telementoring program for rural healthcare providers. Discusses the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on participation. Highlights the improved quality of care offered as a result of participation in the program. Discusses future plans for the program.
Source: Nevada Today
Feb 15, 2024 - The National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will hold a virtual public meeting on March 14, 2024, from 11:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items include updates on the Subcommittee of the National Advisory Council (SNAC) for AHRQ's Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (PCORTF) Investments, the 20th Anniversary of Digital Healthcare, an update on the National Action Alliance to Advance Patient and Workforce Safety, and a discussion on diagnostic safety. The agenda and information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the National Advisory Council website before the meeting.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 15, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that would set forth provisions to strengthen accrediting organization oversight by addressing conflicts of interest, establishing consistent standards, processes and definitions, and updating the validation and performance standards systems. Additionally, this proposed rule would revise the psychiatric hospital survey process, add a limitation on terminated deemed providers and suppliers when reentering the program, and provides technical corrections for End-Stage Renal Disease facilities and Kidney Transplant Programs. Comments are due April 15, 2024.
Source: Federal Register