This paper examines the progress of health system transformation and the gaps that remain as they affect rural people, places, and providers. The health system transformation activities examined here are not limited to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA), but also touch upon activities undertaken by states, insurance plans, and public …
Continue reading “Taking Stock: Policy Opportunities for Advancing Rural Health”
Promoting Telehealth in Rural America 47 CFR Part 54 The Panel is pleased to offer comments in response to the proposed rule for Promoting Telehealth in Rural America, specifically the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rural Healthcare (RHC) Program. View Comment Letter
January 17, 2018 Wednesday, January 17, 2018 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ETBipartisan Policy Center, 1225 Eye St NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC, 20005 To better understand the challenges and opportunities rural communities face with health care delivery and infrastructure, the Bipartisan Policy Center led an effort over the past 6 months to learn from …
Rural Long-Term Services and Supports: A Primer provides policymakers and other interested stakeholders a primer on rural long-term services and supports (LTSS): (1) the fundamentals of the rural LTSS system, (2) rural access to and use of LTSS, and (3) discussion of the opportunities within and limitations of current Federal and State LTSS policy for advancing …
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This presentation explains the concepts of affordability and availability as well as broadening network of participating local organizations to include social services. It also discusses the future of health homes and behavioral health services. Presented by Keith J. Mueller, PhD (College of Public Health, University of Iowa) at the National Academies on November 14, 2017. …
Continue reading “Accessing Behavioral Health Services in Rural Communities”
This presentation discusses the transformation underway as a result of payer policies designed to improve the value and outcomes of health care while attempting to slow cost growth. It also touches on gaps affecting rural people, places, and providers. Presented by Jennifer P. Lundblad, PhD (President and CEO, Stratis Health; Member RUPRI Health Panel) on …
Continue reading “Rural Health and the Law: Emerging Issues and Trends”
The RUPRI Health Panel describes opportunities for rural communities to develop a high-performance rural health system after hospital closure, including three case studies that describe real-world transitions from a hospital-based locus of care to new models of care delivery in rural places. After Hospital Closure: Pursuing High Performance Rural Health System without Inpatient Care This paper describes …
In a recent Rural Monitor article for the Rural Health Information Hub, Jennifer Lundblad, CEO of Stratis Health and a member of the RUPRI Health Panel, discusses the economic impact of antibiotic stewardship (AS) programs for rural hospitals. She also referenced a RUPRI Health Panel public comment letter on a proposed rule from the Centers on Medicare and Medicaid that would require …
In Health & Hospitals Networks latest publication, Jennifer Lundblad, RUPRI Health Panel Member and president and CEO of Stratis Health, discusses how rural hospitals and rural communities are well-positioned to create innovative population health and wellness programs. “A rural environment lends itself to population health and wellness,” she says. “Providers probably know the patient and their family, they …
Continue reading “RUPRI Health Panel member, Jennifer Lundblad, discusses rural hospital innovation”
Medicaid has grown significantly in its importance to rural health systems and communities; a higher proportion (22 percent) of rural residents was enrolled in Medicaid than Medicare (20 percent) in 2014. At the same time, the use of payment and delivery innovations has grown significantly, but varies across the U.S. As a result of expansions …
Jennifer is the President and CEO of Stratis Health, a non-profit based in Minnesota that focuses on collaboration and innovation in health care quality and safety. She has been a member of the RUPRI Health Panel since 2009, in addition to Stratis Health and RURPI partnering on a national Rural Health Value Project that focuses …
Medicare Value-Based Payment Reform: Priorities for Transforming Rural Health Systems View Policy Brief | Related: View Full Report In January 2015, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Burwell announced new goals and timelines for moving Medicare reimbursement from fee-for-service to value-based payment. These payment changes are driving delivery system reforms by making healthcare …
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View Report | Related: View Policy Brief In recognition of unsustainable healthcare cost growth and sub-optimal delivery system performance, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) contains provisions that redesign healthcare payment and delivery. ACA payment change provisions are driving delivery system reform by making healthcare organizations more accountable for patients’ health …
This joint paper was authored by members of both the Health and Human Services Panel in June 2015. The paper presents a case for the viability of Accountable Care Community (ACC) models in rural communities, including in rural Humboldt County, California. Accountable Care Communities reflect a unified approach to improving the health and reducing the …
This presentation discusses how hospitals should respond and why response should be other than incremental adjustment. It will touch base on change and how it creates opportunities as well as threats. Presented by Keith J. Mueller, PhD (Director, RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis) and Charles W. Fluharty, M. Div. (President, Rural Policy Research …
Continue reading “Transitioning to a High Performance Rural Health System”
In Advancing the Transition to a High-Performance Rural Health System, the RUPRI Health Panel discusses strategies and options for creating a pathway to a transformed, high-performing rural health system. This paper builds on the RUPRI Health Panel’s earlier paper that conceptually defined the core elements of a high-performance rural health system. We have also incorporated …
This report reviews important access definitions and frameworks from the literature. The review serves as a concept map to create a unique synthesis of perspectives that may be used by researches and policy makers to design or clarify access to health care providers. Prepared in August 2014 by the RUPRI Health Panel: A. Clinton MacKinney, …
Continue reading “Access to Rural Health Care – Literature Review and New Synthesis”
These two policy documents from 2010 and 2014 take a first and second look at the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and how it contributes to reshaping the health care delivery landscape, particularly in rural areas. Prepared in September 2010 and April 2014 by the RUPRI Health Panel: Andrew …
Presented by the Rural Policy Research Institute Health Panel: Keith Mueller, PhD; Timothy McBride, PhD; Andrew Coburn, PhD. At the Annual Meeting of the National Rural Health Association in April 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. View Presentation
This presentation discusses the climate of change in health care, payment policies and price reduction threats. It will also touch base on the Affordable Care Act. Presented by A. Clinton MacKinney (Deputy Director and Assistant Professor, RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis) at the Improving Health in a Climate of Change NACo in San …
Continue reading “Transitioning to a Value-Based Health Care Future”
This project examines the implications of changes in Medicare Advantage (MA) payment implemented in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) and in the current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) demonstration of quality-based bonus payments. This research also focuses on key issues including: how the changes to MA payment, including bonus …
Continue reading “The Impact of Payment Reform on Rural Medicare Advantage Enrollment and Quality”
This presentation discusses important ways rural hospitals need to think about adapting to the changing policy and demographic landscape. Presented by Keith Mueller (Director, RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis) for the Rural Hospital Conference Colorado Hospital Association in Colorado Springs, CO on May 8, 2013. View Presentation
This presentation explores the utility of Accountable Care Organizations in a rural context. Presented by Keith Mueller (Director, RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis) to the Colorado Rural Hospital Conference in Colorado Springs, CO on May 8, 2013. View Presentation
This presentation examine the unique advantages that the Frontier Extended Stay Clinic model offers to rural populations. Presented by A. Clinton MacKinney and Patricia Atkinson at the NRHA Annual Rural Health Conference in Louisville, Kentucky on May 8, 2013. View Presentation
This presentation discusses how the rural healthcare landscape is changing and explores emerging implications for rural healthcare providers. Presented by Keith Mueller (Director, RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis) for the State Offices of Rural Health – Region D meeting in San Diego, California on May 1, 2013. View Presentation
This presentation explores the Rural Emergency Department as a flagship healthcare service provider for rural hospitals, hospital systems, and communities. Presented by A. Clinton MacKinney (Deputy Director and Assistant Professor, RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis) on April 26, 2013. View Presentation
This presentation explores how current and emerging research might impact rural health care providers and policy makers in strengthening sustainable models of healthcare provision in rural areas. Presented by Keith Mueller (Director, RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis) for the IAHL Roundtable Discussion in Des Moines, Iowa on February 28, 2013. View Presentation
This presentation provides analysis of current changes to health care and health care systems that provide services in rural areas. Mueller offers tips for transitioning toward an optimal system that fits within this evolving context. Presented by Keith Mueller (Director, RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis) to the Rural Health Leadership Conference in Phoenix, …
RUPRI Health Panel Provided Comments to HRSA on Proposed Designation of Frontier & Remote Areas. December 29, 2012. Read Comment Letter Here
RUPRI Health Panel Provided Comments to CMS-9972-P, Proposed Rule: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Health Insurance Market Rules; Rate Review. December 18, 2012. Read Comment Letter Here
This brief outlines and describes the current Medicaid program and its importance to rural America. It also discusses rural implications of program expansion, including whether and how states choose to implement changes. View Report This report was written by Health Panel Members Keith Mueller, Andrew Coburn, Jennifer Lundblad, A. Clinton MacKinney, Timothy McBride, Sidney Watson …
Continue reading “The Current and Future Role and Impact of Medicaid in Rural Health”
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The RUPRI Health Panel offers an aspirational vision, for a highperformance rural health care system. The RUPRI Health Panel envisions rural health care that is affordable andaccessible for rural residents through a sustainable health system thatdelivers high quality, high value services. A high performance rural healthcare system informed by the needs of each unique rural …
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Place-Based Policies and Public Health: The Road to Healthy Rural People and Places View Report This joint paper by the RUPRI Health Panel and Human Service Panel examines how effective place-based policies can influence how rural and metropolitan areas develop, how well they function as places to live, work, operate a business, preserve heritage, and …
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View Report The ACA calls for the development of a National Health Care Quality Strategy and Plan (National Quality Strategy) that, by definition, will affect health care that is delivered to millions of Americans who live in rural areas and thousands of health care providers who care for them. The goal of this paper is …
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Rural Policy Research Institute
The University of Iowa
College of Public Health
319-384-3857 | info@rupri.org
