NRHA's Rural Health Voices blog offers informed commentary on the latest news in rural health care from NRHA staff and editorials from selected contributors.
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Author:
Zach Schulz
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On May 28, 2023, an agreement in principle was reached between the White House and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to suspend the US debt ceiling until 2025. In the United States, the debt ceiling is a legislative limit on the amount of national debt that can be incurred by the U.S. Treasury. The agreement includes:
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Author:
Lea Mann
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The National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA) engagement of rural communities in the All of Us Research Program will reach new heights in May 2023 as part of the program’s Elevate Initiative. Working with partners across the country, NRHA is building an intersectional, multimedia engagement campaign that interacts with communities populating rural America.
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Author:
Dr. Richard Makowiec, M.D.
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A number of factors are driving doctors out of the medical field, and our country’s health care system is at a crossroads. Health care leaders can do two important things to ensure physicians working in critical roles such as surgeons and anesthesiologists stay in the profession and continue providing patients with the care they deserve.
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Author:
Alex T. Olson
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NRHA is proud to announce the recipients of association’s 2023 Rural Health Awards, given each year to individuals and organizations who have dedicated their time and talents to improving the health and well-being of others. The Journal of Rural Health editorial board also named its 2023 Article of the Year, selected from all JRH articles published online last year. The winners will be honored during NRHA’s 46th Annual Rural Health Conference May 15-19 in San Diego, Calif.
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Author:
Angela Lutz
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Gallup's annual health and health care poll revealed that in 2022, more Americans than ever delayed medical care due to cost, coinciding with the highest U.S. inflation rate in more than 40 years. Lower-income households, women, and young adults are disproportionately affected, and this trend presents serious public health risks. Untreated medical conditions can lead to more severe health complications, further straining rural hospitals that already grapple with unique challenges such as...
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Author:
Bethe Ferguson
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The Hippocratic Oath guides health care providers to be active members of society with the goal of disease prevention and medical care for all. Beyond medical ethics, this concept speaks to the very heart of health equity. Every person deserves the opportunity to attain their full health potential. Unfortunately, inequities are on the rise across the country, especially in our rural communities.
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Author:
Grace Girard
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The National Rural Health Association is pleased with the Biden Administration's fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget proposal to help build a strong rural health infrastructure across the country. NRHA applauds the administration for including critical investments to increase rural health care access, workforce recruitment, and address rural health disparities.
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Author:
Josh Jorgensen
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The FY 2023 appropriations bill was recently released as an omnibus bill. Overall, it includes several victories for rural health, due in part to the significant advocacy efforts of NRHA members at the association's 2022 Policy Institute and beyond. In all, NRHA is pleased with the provisions included in this year-end package. The funding levels for important rural health programs were either increased or maintained, and non-appropriations provisions were in line with NRHA's requests....
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Author:
Corey Scurlock, MD
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The pandemic, higher patient acuity and staffing shortages have been a lethal combination for rural hospitals; one third of them face closure. Many hospital leaders are seeking higher payments, but proactive strategies for change are also needed. One key strategy is applying telehealth solutions throughout the patient stay, with specialists doing everything from screening in the ER to clearing disruptions in patient flow, all virtually. This frees up on-site staff to do the hands-on work.
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Author:
Lea Mann
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Since 2018, the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) has been a proud partner of the National Institute of Health’s All of Us Research Program. From the beginning, NRHA has been an affiliate of the Community and Provider Gateway Initiative, a cross-section of grassroots organizations helping to build program infrastructure, raise awareness about the value of participation, and drive enrollment in populations historically underrepresented in biomedical research, including rural.
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