About Rural Health Care
California’s nearly five dozen rural hospitals — providing care to more than 2 million people — are both lifelines and economic pillars for the communities they serve. Many of these hospitals are on the financial brink, reducing services just to stay open, or they face the possibility of closure. These situations place the most vulnerable populations at risk as Californians will have to travel great distances to get the care they need.
CHA Issues Draft Comments on CY 2022 Outpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule
CHA has issued a members-only copy of draft comments on the calendar year (CY) 2022 outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) proposed rule. CHA encourages members to use the draft as a template for their own comments, which are due to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by 2 p.m. (PT) on Sept. 17.
Grants Available to Expand Access to COVID-19 Vaccines, Health Care Services, and Food Assistance
Last week, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is making up to $500 million available in grants to help rural health care facilities, tribes, and communities expand access to COVID-19 vaccines, health care services, and nutrition assistance.
CHA Issues Detailed Summary of CY 2022 OPPS Proposed Rule
CHA has issued a detailed summary of the calendar year (CY) 2022 outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) proposed rule. Comments are due to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by 2 p.m. (PT) on Sept. 17.
HRSA Awards Funds to Rural Health Clinics for COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach
The Health Services & Resources Administration (HRSA) will administer $98 million in grant awards to eligible rural health clinics (RHCs) through its RHC Vaccine Confidence Program.
HRSA Provides Funding to Small Rural Hospitals for COVID-19 Testing, Mitigation
The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) has provided $398 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan to 1,540 small rural hospitals for COVID-19 testing and mitigation, including $11,885,296 to 46 small rural hospitals in California.
HRSA Provides Funding to Rural Health Clinics for COVID-19 Testing and Mitigation
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) issued $424.7 million in funding to over 4,200 Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) for COVID-19 testing and mitigation, providing $100,000 per RHC. Funds will be used to maintain and increase COVID-19 testing, expand access to testing for rural residents and broaden efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus in ways tailored to […]
President Biden’s Effort to Increase Vaccinations Includes Support for Rural Communities
President Biden’s announcement on May 4 of a new effort to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and have 160 million adults fully vaccinated by July 4 includes nearly $1 billion for rural communities. The initiative is designed to provide easier access to vaccinations and testing for those living in rural communities and bolster efforts to reach rural Americans in the response to the pandemic.
HRSA Announces Grants to Improve Maternal Health in Rural Communities
The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) federal Office of Rural Health Policy has announced a grant opportunity to improve maternal health in rural communities. The Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) Program will test a network approach to improving maternal health access and outcomes in rural regions.
CHA Joins Statewide Coalition Calling for $8 Billion in Broadband Funding to Help Close Digital Divide
CHA has joined a cross-sector coalition of education, health, local government, and economic policy organizations that is urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to connect Californians with a one-time, $8 billion investment in high speed 100 Mbps broadband infrastructure and programs. The group issued a press release on Tuesday, reinforcing the need for this investment in broadband infrastructure and support services, which is critical to improving health, equity, education, and the economy statewide now and for years to come.