Rural Health Briefing
Volume X August 10, 2007
Arizona Critical Access Hospital Program
Rural Health Office
UA Zuckerman College of Public Health
in conjunction with the Arizona Rural Health Association
National News
- Senate Passes SCHIP Reauthorization
- One Billion Dollars For Critical Access Hospitals in the Farm Bill
- August is National Immunization Awareness Month
- Rep. Waxman to Introduce the Surgeon General Independence Act
- NRHA- Rural Health Fellows Program
- Rural Health Information Technology Conference 2007
Across Arizona
- Attention Rural Health Clinics
- Arizona Small Hospital Improvement Grant Program Re-Funded
- Arizona Rural Health Association Announces Selection of New Officers
- What’s Happening With Arizona Health-e Connection?
Grants and Opportunities
- Scholarships Available to Attend 2007 APHA Conference
- Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant
- Rural Health Network Development (RHND) Grant Program
- Community-Oriented Connectivity Broadband Grant Program
- NRHA Accepting Proposals for Cardinal Health Foundation’s Challenge Grants
Mark Your Calendar
Sept 5-7, AzPHA Annual Meeting and Fall Conference, Sedona, AZ
Sept 12-14, Rural Health Information Technology Conference, Kansas City, MO
National News
1. Senate Passes SCHIP Reauthorization
On the evening of August 2nd, 2007, the Senate passed a bill that reauthorizes and improves the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by a 68 to 31 vote. The bill would provide an additional $35 billion over five years to enable health coverage to an estimated four million additional uninsured children. The bill continues to contain a strong emphasis on outreach, including efforts to enroll rural children in the program.
Click here to read the full announcement on the NRHA website.
2.
One Billion Dollars For Critical Access Hospitals in the Farm Bill
Let your congressional delegate know if you want her or him to support the bill and help the rural hospitals.
In the July 5th, 2007 edition of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, writer Robin Acton tells how survival can be a daily struggle for America’s rural hospital administrators. In eager anticipation of the passage of the 2007 Farm Bill, $1.6 billion is expected to be included for 1,283 medical centers designated as critical access hospitals.
Click here to access the full story.
3. August is National Immunization Awareness Month
Too many adults become ill, disabled, and die each year from diseases that could have been prevented by vaccines. Everyone from the very young to senior citizens can benefit from immunizations. While many consider this to be a time to ensure that children are immunized for school, National Immunization Awareness Month is the perfect time to remind patients, health care employees, family members, friends, co-workers and others to take advantage of opportunities to get up-to date on their vaccinations.
How Can You Help?
As a health care professional, you can help your Medicare patients and others understand the importance of disease prevention through immunizations. Your recommendation is the most important factor in increasing immunization rates among adults. You can help your Medicare patients take full advantage of the Medicare benefits that are right for them, including an annual influenza vaccination, a pneumococcal vaccination and the hepatitis B vaccination (for beneficiaries at high to intermediate risk for contracting the disease) by encouraging utilization of these benefits as appropriate.
Click here to learn more about National Immunization Awareness Month.
4.
Rep. Waxman to Introduce the Surgeon General Independence Act
According to a press release dated July 12, 2007 Rep. Henry A. Waxman announced his plans to introduce legislation to protect the Surgeon General from political interference. The press release continued by stating that the Oversight Committee held a hearing at which three former Surgeons General testified regarding the damage the political interference has done to the ability of the Surgeon General to speak openly and honestly with the American public about threats to public health. Former Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, along with former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop and former Surgeon General David Satcher, made a number of recommendations for legislative changes that would protect the Office of the Surgeon General from political interference. According to Rep. Waxman, “What we learned at this hearing is that the Office of the Surgeon General is in crisis.” He continued by pointing out that “Political interference is compromising the independence of the Office. On key public health issues the Surgeon General has been muzzled. This problem will not solve itself.”
Click here for full announcement.
5.
NRHA-Rural Health Fellows Program
The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is now accepting applications for the Rural Health Fellows Program. The program is a great way to enhance one’s ability to improve rural health care. The program is a year-long, intensive program that will develop leaders who can articulate a clear and compelling vision for rural America. Fellows will gain valuable insights and build critical skills in three primary domains:
1) Personal, team, and organizational leadership;
2) Health policy analysis and advocacy;
3) National Rural Health Association governance and structure.
These ambitious learning and skill development objectives will be accomplished through a combination experiential and action learning, exposure to premier faculty and seasoned practitioners, and reinforcement through executive coaching and structured team assignments.
The applications must be submitted no later than August 31st, 2007.
Click here for more details.
6. Rural Health Information Technology Conference 2007
Online registration is now open for the upcoming Rural Health Information Technology: Navigating the Road to Performance Improvement. The Conference will be held September 12 – 14, 2007 at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, MO. Online Registration, hotel information, draft agenda, sponsor and exhibitor information are all available at the website link featured below. Please feel free to share this with others you think may be interested!
Click here for more details and a link to the webpage.
Across Arizona
1. Attention Rural Health Clinics
The archives of all the rural health clinic technical assistance conference calls may be found by accessing the following website:
http://www.ruralhealth.hrsa.gov/RHC/index.htm
If you are considering rural health clinic designation, you may access the HRSA manual on this link. You may also find an Arizona Rural Health Clinic designation manual at the following URL:
http://www.rho.arizona.edu/resources/clinic_designation_manual.aspx
2. Arizona Small Hospital Improvement Grant Program Re-Funded
Recently the Rural Health Office received funding authorization to continue distributing HRSA funds to small hospitals with under 50 beds that are eligible for Small Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) funds. This program allows subcontracts for improving HIPAA implementation, quality initiatives, and PPS advancements.
The grant award is for $125,230.
3. Arizona Rural Health Association Announces Selection of New Officers
The Arizona Rural Health Association recently announced the election of its 07-08 officers. The Arizona Rural Health Association is pleased to announce the election of its 07-08 slate of officers:
President: Rick Swanson, Northern Arizona Community Health Center, Flagstaff, AZ RSwanson@northcountrychc.org
Immediate Past President: Jack Beveridge, Empowerment Systems, Inc., Apache Junction, AZ beveridge@emsysonline.com
Secretary: Edith Sampson, Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc., Douglas, AZ esampson@cchci.org
Treasurer: James (Jim) Dickson, Copper Queen Community Hospital, Bisbee, AZ
jdickson@cqch.org
The 2007-2008 AzRHA Board of Directors is as follows:
L. Gary Hart, PhD, MPH, Director, Arizona Rural Health Office, Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Michael W. Albertson, Health Solutions and Market Intelligence, Phoenix, AZ
Suzanne Barker, Outreach Coordinator, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ
Jack Beveridge, Immediate Past President
Joel V. Brill, MD, Phoenix, AZ
James (Jim) Dickson, Treasurer, Copper Queen Community Hospital, Bisbee, AZ
Edith (Edie) Faust, The i/mx Companies, Cottonwood, AZ
Joyce Flieger, Arizona Department of Health Services, Phoenix, AZ
Amy Ham, Arizona Association of Community Health Centers, Phoenix, AZ
Fred Hubbard, State Advisory Council on Indian Health Care, Phoenix, AZ
Alison Hughes, Arizona Rural Hospital Flexibility Program, College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Dana Johnson, President-Elect, Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services, Benson, AZ
Kristina Johnson, Arizona Department of Health Services, Phoenix, AZ
Thomas (Tom) McWilliams, A. T. Still University, Mesa, AZ
Donna Michaels, Sedona, AZ
Patrick K. O'Brien, Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center, Safford, AZ
Mary L. Riordan, Arizona Health Sciences Library, University of Arizona
The Hon. Sen. Rebecca Rios, Arizona State Legislature, Phoenix, AZ
Edith Sampson, Secretary, Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc., Douglas, AZ
Rick Swanson, President, North Country Community Health Center, Flagstaff, AZ
Fabian Valle, Arizona Department of Health Services, Phoenix, AZ
Click here for the webpage link.
4. What’s Happening With Arizona Health-e Connection?
Following is a quick update from Brad Tritle, Program Manager, Arizona Health-e Connection, regarding the implementation of the Arizona Health-e Connection Roadmap.
Some of the highlights the team has been working on are as follow:
- The Arizona Health-e Connection Board has outlined its strategic direction, and is meeting monthly to continue working on operational issues and the hiring of an Executive Director. The selection process for the Executive Director is on schedule, and anticipated to be completed by July 31.
- The Arizona Health-e Connection has established a Technical / Clinical Committee, a Legal committee and an Education / Outreach committee. These committees are in the process of being formed and first meetings scheduled.
- The HISPC - Arizona Health Privacy Project is going to be funded through the end of 2007 in order to begin developing the requirements for access and authentication as it relates to a master provider index, as well as continue the work on the legal issues.
- The Government Information Technology Agency, with stakeholder input, is redesigning the Rural Health Information Technology Adoption (RHITA) Grant Program, which has been funded for an additional $1.5 million in fiscal year 2008. By mid-August, this newly-designed program will be announced.
- We are coordinating efforts with the Southern Arizona Health Information Exchange (SAHIE) and the AHCCCS Health Information Exchange, which include providing appropriate statewide support.
- Regional outreach, especially to rural Arizona, will be a priority in the next twelve months. We will keep you abreast of opportunities to participate.
For further information contact:
Brad Tritle,
Program Manager
Arizona Health-e Connection
www.azhec.org
(602) 364-4775
btritle@azgita.gov
Grants and Opportunities
Note: Technical assistance is available for the development of grant proposals and other funding applications from the professional staff of the Rural Health Office and the State Office of Rural Health Program. Please contact Jennifer Peters.
1. Scholarships Available to Attend 2007 APHA Conference
The Community-Based Public Health (CBPH) Caucus - the "home" for CBPR at the American Public Health Association - is offering scholarships for community-based organizations (CBO)s to attend the APHA conference, "Politics, Policy and Public Health," November 3-7, 2007 in Washington DC.
The letter of explanation and application can be found on the Caucus's website at http://www.cbphcaucus.org.
For more information, please contact Barb Watson, Caucus Administrator at
734-936-1226 or at bjwatson@umich.edu
2. Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant
Application Deadline: October 5, 2007
The purpose of the Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program (HRSA-08-003) is to provide support to entities that need assistance to plan, organize and develop a health care network because they do not have a significant history of collaboration and are not sufficiently evolved to apply for a three year Rural Health Network Development Grant. This support may be sufficient to jumpstart a network into becoming operational and developing strategies for becoming sustainable. The grant program supports one year of planning to develop and operationalize health care networks, consisting of at least three health care providers, in rural areas.
Please note that there is a conference call for potential network grant applicants on August 23 at 2:00 pm Eastern Time. However, you must register to participate in the call by writing to Mary Collier via mcollier@hrsa.gov and simply requesting a reservation to be on the network grant technical assistance call.
Click here for further details.
3. Rural Health Network Development (RHND) Grant Program
Application Deadline: October 15, 2007
The purpose of the Rural Health Network Development (RHND) Grant Program (HRSA-08-004) is to support the development of rural health networks, whose purpose is to increase access to care by overcoming the fragmentation and vulnerability of providers in rural areas. Grant funds are used to support activities that strengthen capabilities of these networks.
Arizona applicants: Please note that there is a conference call for potential network grant applicants on September 19 at 9:00 am Mountain Standard Time. However, you must register to participate in the call by writing to Mary Collier via mcollier@hrsa.gov and simply requesting a reservation to be on the network grant technical assistance call.
Furthermore, letters of support from the Arizona State Office of Rural Health is a requirement for these grant applications. Your contact at the SORH for support is Jennifer Peters at petersjs@u.arizona.edu and (520) 626-2254.
Click here for further details.
4. Community-Oriented Connectivity Broadband Grant Program
Application Deadline: August 20, 2007
The purpose of the Community-Oriented Connectivity Broadband Grant Program is to “provide financial assistance in the form of grants to eligible applicants that will provide currently un-served areas, on a "community-oriented connectivity" basis, with broadband transmission service that fosters economic growth and delivers enhanced education, health care, and public safety services.”
Click here to read more.
5. NRHA Accepting Proposals for Cardinal Health Foundation’s Challenge Grants
According to a press release dated July 30, 2007 the NRHA is now requesting proposal submissions for the Cardinal Health Foundation’s Challenge Grants. The foundation is offering up to $500,000 in grant funds to help increase the number of rural and public hospitals participating in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's (IHI) 5 Million Lives Campaign. This program will be administered with the assistance of the NRHA and the National Association of Public Hospitals (NAPH). Both groups will oversee the application process and provide an initial review of grant applications. Hospitals will be eligible to receive up to $15,000 each to help defray costs associated with implementing Campaign Initiatives aimed at protecting patients from five million incidents of medical harm over two years (December 2006-December 2008).
Interested hospitals, especially rural hospitals that have not yet enrolled in the 5 Million Lives Campaign, are encouraged to apply for these grants by completing the forms that can be downloaded at the following link:
http://www.NRHArural.org/groups/pdf/CHFGrantRFP-2.pdf
The deadline for submitting applications to the NRHA is August 30, 2007.
Click here for full announcement.
Contact Your Representatives
a. Arizona Congressional Delegation: Links to Arizona members of the U.S. House of Representatives are available at: U.S. Representatives. Links to Arizona members of the U.S. Senate are available at: U.S. Senate
b. Arizona State Legislators: Available through the Arizona Legislative Information System (ALIS): Call 1-800-352-8404 or follow links at Arizona Legislature.
Important Links
Editor's Note: This online newsletter is a project of the Arizona Critical Access Hospital Program, housed in the Rural Health Office at the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health, and supported, in part, through a grant from HRSA (Office of Rural Health Policy). The program was created by Congress to improve the financial viability and stability of health care in rural areas, including creation of a new designation for rural hospitals as Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Designated CAHs are eligible for cost-based reimbursement for services provided to Medicare patients. In some states, including Arizona, additional reimbursement is also available for CAH services provided to Medicaid patients.
Your questions (or answers) are always welcome. Please send them as well as address changes to Alison Hughes, Director. Arizona Critical Access Hospital Program.
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