The Panel is pleased to offer comments in response to the proposed updates to the CY 2020 Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) The Panel applauds CMS’s attention to rural issues throughout the proposed rule. CMS hasdemonstrated its commitment to rural areas in considering innovative telehealth care delivery foropioid use disorder …
Continue reading “Health Panel Comment Letter – PFS Proposed Rule 2020 Revisions – September 2019”
A new policy brief from the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy & Analysis shows that access to health insurance coverage has changed significantly following changes in public and private insurance due to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). From 2013-2016, the PPACA led to an overall increase in coverage rates of nearly 13 and …
July 18, 2019 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Prosperity entails much more than wealth; it reaches way beyond the financial and into the well-being and character of a nation and its institutions. It is about creating an environment where citizens can reach their full potential. A nation is prosperous when it has an open economy, an …
Toward a High Performing Rural Health Care System: Key Issues and Recommendations from Rural Health Care System Innovators View Report On December 6-7, 2018, the Rural Health Policy Research Institute’s (RUPRI) Health Panel convened a meeting in Washington, DC, of rural health leaders from around the country to discuss strategies and models for rural health …
The Panel welcomes the opportunity to submit comments on Addressing the Low Case-Volume Challenge in Healthcare Performance Measurement of Rural Providers: Recommendations from the MAP Rural Health Technical Expert Panel. The RUPRI Health Panel strongly supports the NQF Measure Applications Partnership Rural Health Workgroup. Valid and reliable quality performance measures are critically important to rural …
Continue reading “Health Panel Comment Letter – NQF Draft Report – February 2019”
In this presentation, we discuss the changing landscape of rural Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), new models of care delivery, and community responses to loss of service. Presented by Keith J. Mueller, PhD (The University of Iowa and Director of RUPRI) to the American Health Association Rural Health Care Leadership Conference on February 5, 2019. View …
Continue reading “Meeting Needs in Rural Health Research, Action, Policy”
The Health Affairs blog recently featured a piece by Abigail Barker, Timothy McBride & Keith Mueller of the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis, examining whether the health insurance market can deliver affordable health insurance options in rural areas. Can the Market Deliver Affordable Health Insurance for Rural Areas, discusses the multiple challenges that rural areas …
RE: 42 CFR Parts 438 and 457 – Medicaid Program; Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP)Managed Care The Panel welcomes the opportunity to submit comments on the Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), Medicaid Fee-for-Service, and Medicaid Managed Care Programs for years 2020 and 2021 proposed …
Continue reading “Health Panel Comment Letter – Medicare, Medicaid & CHIP – January 2019”
RE: 42 CFR Parts 422, 423, 438, and 498: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Policy and Technical Changes tothe Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly(PACE), Medicaid Fee-for-Service, and Medicaid Managed Care Programs for Years 2020 and 2021 The Panel welcomes the opportunity to submit comments on the Medicare Advantage, …
Continue reading “Health Panel Comment Letter – Medicare, Part D & Medicaid – December 2018”
The RUPRI Rural Health Panel, through the support of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) in the Department of Health and Human Services, has released a new Policy Brief, Assessing the Unintended Consequences of Health Policy on Rural Populations and Places. The purpose of this paper is to illuminate the unintended consequences of health …
David Terrell, Executive Director of the RUPRI Center for State Policy and the Indiana Communities Institute spoke at a Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health conference on Rural America, co-sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and National Public Radio. David joined other speakers to discuss the Health and Economic Concerns of Rural …
Ongoing research on rural pharmacy closures by the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis was featured in a US News & World Report article, Rural Pharmacies and Closing: Where Does That Leave Patients. “IN RURAL AND SMALL-TOWN America, independent pharmacies play a vital role for the customers who rely on them. However, U.S. rural pharmacies are dwindling. Since …
Continue reading “RUPRI Research on Rural Pharmacy Closures featured in US New & World Report”
RE: 42 CFR Part 414 and 425: Medicare Program; Medicare Shared Savings Program; Accountable CareOrganizations – Pathways to Success The Panel is pleased to offer comments in response to this particular proposed rule. Our comments are limited to rural-specific issues and are structured to parallel questions posed, or issues stated, by CMS (not technical comments …
Continue reading “Health Panel Comment Letter – ACO Proposed Rule – October 2018”
October 9, 2018 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am On October 9, RUPRI Scholars, Dr. Tom Johnson & Dr. Matt Fannin, will present a lecture on the “Details of the Rural Health Framework – A Comprehensive Measure of Economic Well-Being” to faculty and students at the University of Iowa’s College of Public Health.
The United States Government Accountability Office was asked by Members of Congress to examine Rural Hospital Closures and the Number and Characteristics of Affected Hospitals and Contributing Factors. Research and policy considerations from the RUPRI Health Panel, the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis and Rural Health Value, in partnership with Stratis Health, were included in the report. GAO’s analysis …
RE: 42 CFR Part 416 and 419: Medicare Program; Proposed Changes to Hospital Outpatient ProspectivePayment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems and Quality Reporting Programs; Requests forInformation on Promoting Interoperability and Electronic Health Care Information, Price Transparency, andLeveraging Authority for the Competitive Acquisition Program for Part B Drugs and Biologicals for a PotentialCMS Innovation Center …
September 17, 2018 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Current U.S. policy utilizes various market-based models within Medicare, Medicaid, and Health Insurance Marketplaces to ensure access to health insurance coverage, but access is increasingly uneven and unaffordable, especially in some rural areas. After giving an overview of some of the relevant economic theory, this webinar will take …
Continue reading “Webinar – Insuring Rural America: Health Insurance Challenges and Opportunities”
This presentation discusses the economic theory and the potential of regulated markets as well as rural-specific issues such as network information and adequacy. Policy opportunities and recommendations are also touched upon. Presented by Timothy D. McBride (PhD) and Abigail R. Barker (PhD) from the Rural Policy Research Institute on September 17, 2018. View Presentation
September 10, 2018 – September 12, 2018 The Secretary’s National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS) has scheduled a public meeting for September 10-12. The meeting will be held in CHarlotte, NC, along with site visits to rural North Carolina. Information about NACRHHS and the agenda for this meeting can be found on the NACRHHS website. During the …
Continue reading “HHS National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services Fall Meeting”
RE: 42 CFR Part 405, 410, 411, 414, 415, and 495: Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under thePhysician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2019; Medicare Shared Savings ProgramRequirements; Quality Payment Program; and Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program The Panel is pleased to offer comments in response to the proposed rules …
Continue reading “Health Panel Comment Letter – Revisions to Physician Payments – September 2018”
Accountable care organization (ACO) models are the most widely adopted value-based payment initiatives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The Shared Savings Program, started in 2011, is the most commonly adopted Medicare ACO model. This policy brief updates findings from previous RUPRI Center reports. It shows that there is continued growth in the …
Continue reading “Spread of Medicare Accountable Care Organizations in Rural”
Research released last month on rural independent pharmacy closures by the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis was highlighted in The Health 202, a morning health care policy newsletter published by the Washington Post. As the newsletter states, “The impact on rural pharmacies’ profits is tangible. The RUPRI report found that 630 rural communities saw their only pharmacy close …
Continue reading “RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Featured in Washington Post”
Professor Keith Mueller was featured in WalletHub’s recent piece regarding the best and worst states for health care. View Full Article
This paper will review elements of a robust rural primary care system, including development and maintenance of a high performance rural primary care system and workforce as well as policy considerations and opportunities that address the sustainability of rural primary care. Written by Keith J. Mueller (PhD), Charlie Alfero (MA), Andrew F. Coburn (PhD), Jennifer …
Continue reading “Primary Care: The Foundation for a High-Performance Rural Health Care System”
This paper discusses the realities and challenges of designing a market structure that will result in affordable health insurance being offered in rural markets, and reviews the rural implications of policies affecting rural health insurance markets and health systems. Written by Keith J. Mueller (PhD), Charlie Alfero (MA), Andrew F. Coburn (PhD), Jennifer P. Lundblad …
Continue reading “Insuring Rural America: Health Insurance Challenges and Opportunities”
This testimony focuses on three areas of particular relevance, rural experience with Medicare’s accountable care organization and use of Telehealth. It will conclude with general observations about future directions in rural health policy. Spoken by Keith J. Mueller (PhD) (Interim Dean, College of Public Health; Director, RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis; Chair, RUPRI …
Continue reading “Oral Testimony for the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance”
This statement focuses on three areas of particular relevance, rural experience with Medicare’s accountable care organization and use of Telehealth. It will conclude with general observations about future directions in rural health policy. Written by Keith J. Mueller (PhD) (Interim Dean, College of Public Health; Director, RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis; Chair, RUPRI …
Continue reading “Written Statement for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee”
May 24, 2018 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am Keith Mueller, Ph.D., Interim Dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa and Director and Chair of RUPRI’s Rural Health Initiatives, has been invited to testify at a United States Senate Finance Committee Public Hearing on rural health. The hearing will be held on …
Continue reading “United States Senate Finance Committee Public Hearing on Rural Health”
Presented by Keith J. Mueller, PhD (Director, RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis) to Pennsylvania Rural Health Model Summit in Harrisburg, PA on April 11, 2018. View Presentation
This week, RUPRI partnered with the Kentucky Arts Council, Owensboro Health, the Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation, and Art of the Rural to host a statewide conversation in Owensboro, KY about the dynamic intersection of food, art and health. More than seventy-five people travelled to Owensboro to attend the event, which offered participants a broad understanding of …
Continue reading “Owensboro Gathering a win for Food, Art, and Health in Kentucky!”
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 23, 2018 The RUPRI Rural Cultural Wealth Lab is one of four inaugural National Endowment for the Arts Research Labs named last year, following a national competition. This national effort unites the knowledge and lived experiences of a diverse array of scholars and practitioners to explore the intersection of rural arts and culture, entrepreneurship and innovation, …
Continue reading “Rural Cultural Wealth Lab Digital Exchange Webinar”
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 …
December 18, 2017 Did you know rural racial and ethnic minorities are less likely to have a usual source of care? These and other unique health challenges experienced by rural racial and ethnic populations are often overlooked in conversations on rural health. The recent MMWR report, Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities Among Rural Adults – United States, …
The Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub), a RUPRI partner, celebrates it’s 15th Anniversary this month. RUPRI co-founded RHIhub with Dr. Mary Wakefield and the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota in 2002 with funding from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy at the Department of Health and Human Services. Since it’s …
Continue reading “RUPRI Partner, Rural Health Information Hub, Celebrates 15th Anniversary”
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 …
Continue reading “Primer on Rural Long-Term Services and Support”
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”
June 28, 2017 Join us for this Next Generation Digital Exchange Webinar discussing focused on integrating community health with arts and culture in rural regions. Across the country, new health systems approaches are leveraging multi-sector programs and policies to foster a culture of health in rural communities. Webinar participants will learn from Arkansas, California, Kentucky, …
Continue reading “Digital Exchange Webinar: Integrating Community Health, Arts, and Culture”
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 …
We sat down to talk about the future of healthcare with Mario Gutierrez, who serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP). Last year, Gutierrez participated in a panel with TSC Director Pamela Villacorta at the Governor’s Conference on Aging and Disabilities. We asked him about his perspective on the state of …
Continue reading “RUPRI Leader – Interview with Mario Gutierrez on the future of healthcare”
Marion L. Huit Faculty Award The Marion L. Huit Faculty Award was established in 1978 to recognize M. L. Huit’s outstanding dedication and service to students of The University of Iowa during his tenure as dean of students. The award is presented annually to a faculty member who best characterizes M. L. Huit’s contributions to …
Continue reading “RUPRI Leader, Dr. Keith Mueller receives award”
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 …
March 21, 2017
The HHS National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS) presented a webinar on March 14 to highlight their findings on social determinants of health from the most recent committee meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. RUPRI Human Service Panel member and NACRHHS Committee member, Kathleen Belanger, participated in the webinar and presented the Committee’s recommendations …
A recent CDC study demonstrates that Americans living in rural areas are more likely to die from five leading causes than their urban counterparts. In 2014, many deaths among rural Americans were potentially preventable, including 25,000 from heart disease, 19,000 from cancer, 12,000 from unintentional injuries, 11,000 from chronic lower respiratory disease, and 4,000 from stroke. …
Continue reading “RHIHub Hosts Webinar on CDC Series on Rural Mortality and Preventable Deaths”
The RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis has analyzed Medicaid enrollment in a new brief, Changing Rural and Urban Enrollment in State Medicaid Programs and found that growth was happened in most states, but was largest in expansion states and metropolitan areas generally had higher growth than micropolitan and rural areas. County-level data on Medicaid enrollment …
The RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis has released a brief, 2016 Rural Enrollment in Health Insurance Marketplaces, by State. The data shows that about half of all states had higher enrollment growth in non-metropolitan areas than metropolitan areas. In this brief, cumulative county-level enrollment in Health Insurance Marketplaces (HIMs) through March 2016 is presented …
September 29, 2016 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm The National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS) has released two new policy briefs with recommendations to the Secretary of U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) on ways to address pressing issues. The first, Alternative Models to Preserving Access to Emergency Care, examines …
Rural Policy Research Institute
The University of Iowa
College of Public Health
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