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Rural Health Briefing December 22 2004
National News
1. NRHA Launches Quality Initiative
2. New Public/Private Project on Health Care Disparities
3. Best Buy Drugs Website Launched by Consumer Reports
4. Studying Medicare Provider Satisfaction
5. Changes for Rural Telemedicine Funding
6. IOM’s Quality Through Collaboration Discussed
Across Arizona
1. Arizona Health Policy Forum in Phoenix on January 11
2. Arizona Residents Surveyed on Public Health Research
3. Upcoming Events from Arizona Flex Program
4. Winslow Memorial Hospital Receives CAH Designation
5. Call for Presentations on Chronic Disease Disparities in Arizona
6. HSAG Initiates Rural Hospital Award Program
7. Telemedicine Roundtable Targets Flu
8. Committees Announced for 47th Arizona State Legislature
Grants and Opportunities
1. Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice
2. HRSA 2005 Funding Review
3. Expanding Substance Abuse Treatment, Including Rural, Native Populations
4. Rural Community Development Initiative
5. Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization
6. Innovations in Tribal Community Public Health Practice
7. Youth Nutrition and Fitness
8. Tribal Behavioral Health Systems
9. National Health Service Corps Programs
Calendar
- January 8, 4th Annual Women’s Mental Health Symposium, Tucson
- January 11, Arizona Health Policy Forum, Phoenix
- January 18, Arizona Quality Network, conference call. Contact Joyce Hospodar, 520-626-7946, ext. 229 for details.
- January 24-26, 2nd Annual Medicare Advantage Congress, Scottsdale, rizona
- January 27, Mind, Mood and Message: Pathways in Community Behavioral Health, Phoenix
- January 27-28, Medicare Modernization in a Polarized Environment, Washington, D.C.
- February 21-25, American Health Quality Association Annual Conference, San Francisco, California
- March 1-3, Health Disparities: Progress, Challenges and Opportunities, Atlanta, Georgia
- March 3, Health Disparities & the Body Politic: Policy, Research, Data & Government Responsibility, Noon-3:00 p.m. MST, Boston, Massachusetts and webcast
- March 4-9, National Association of Community Health Centers 30th Annual Policy Forum, Washington, D.C.
- March 8-10, 2005, Arizona Interagency Farmworker Coalition Annual Conference, contact Jean McClelland, 520-626-7946 ext. 239, Yuma, Arizona
- March 21-23, 2005, Rural Health Policy Forum, Washington, D.C.
- April 6-7, Outcome-Based Quality Improvement Workshop, HSAG, Phoenix
Mark Your Calendars!
National News
NRHA Launches Quality Initiative
The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) has begun a five-year effort to promote access to coordinated, high-quality care in every rural community. The Quality Initiative will focus on the goal that all rural healthcare delivery systems should: cover the continuum of care; achieve optimal quality/performance standards; be financially viable; continuously improve performance; and, address population health measures. Dr. Forrest Calico, formerly Health Systems Advisor for ORHP, will lead the project.
New Public/Private Project on Health Care Disparities
HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has formed a public-private partnership designed to help reduce disparities in health care for people with diabetes and other conditions. The National Health Plan Learning Collaborative to Reduce Disparities and Improve Quality intends to go beyond research and actively address racial and ethnic disparities in health care service delivery.
To guide quality improvement activities, the project plans to reduce barriers to data collection to help identify disparities. Nine of the nation’s largest health insurance companies are participating. Over the next three years, the collaborative will test ways to improve collection and analysis on race and ethnicity, match those data to existing quality measures, develop quality improvement interventions that close gaps in care and produce results that can be replicated by insurers and providers.
(Source: RAConline)
Best Buy Drugs Website Launched by Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs, a new public education campaign launched by Consumers Union, is a searchable series of concise, easy-to-read reports, detailing the effectiveness, safety and cost of many widely used prescription drugs. It is produced by a team of experienced staff and outside consultants who provide medical, outreach, and evaluation expertise to the project. An expert advisory board and national health and non-profit organizations lend their support to this effort.
The information on this website is intended to help people learn about more affordable drug treatment options to discuss with their physician. Full details here.
Studying Medicare Provider Satisfaction
The Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS), a new initiative by CMS, will collect data about the services provided by Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) claims processing, Fiscal Intermediaries and Carriers. The survey will gather ratings on several functions: provider communications and inquiries, claim processing, appeals, provider enrollment, medical review and provider reimbursement.
A pilot survey will be sent to approximately 7,400 Medicare FFS providers beginning in January.
Questions? Contact 1-888-863-3561 or MCPSS@westat.com. More details here.
Changes for Rural Telemedicine Funding
The Federal Communication Commission has expanded its program to bring improved medical and information telecommunication services to rural areas. Several changes were made to increase use of the program. A redefinition of what constitutes a rural area hopes to better target small towns and villages. A list of eligible rural areas can be found at the Universal Service (USAC) website here.
Also, discounts have been increased for mobile rural health care providers for the purchase of mobile satellite telecommunications services. The Commission is examining whether a flat 25 percent discount for internet services is sufficient and whether network infrastructure should be funded under the rural health care mechanism.
On a related note, Congress passed a one-year exemption for USAC from the accounting provisions of the Anti-Deficiency Act that threatened to undercut the established and functioning funding mechanisms for these programs.
IOM’s Quality Through Collaboration Discussed
The recent Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) report, Quality Through Collaboration: The Future of Rural Health, was the topic of discussion on a December 6 conference call of the National Rural Development Partnership, Health Care Task Force. Dr. Mary Wakefield emphasized that because rural communities often face unique healthcare challenges such as limited financial resources, an older and sicker population and greater difficulty recruiting caregivers, the IOM recommends creating a “rural quality initiative.” Wakefield is chair of the IOM Committee on the Future of Rural Health. The report also outlined a five-part approach to address quality challenges in rural communities.
Slides from Wakefield’s presentation can be found here. Click here for an outline of the strategies and recommendations in the IOM report. To order a copy of the complete IOM report, visit http://www.iom.edu/report.asp?id=23359.
Across Arizona
Arizona Health Policy Forum on January 11
The Arizona Health Policy Forum is an annual event co-sponsored by the Rural Health Office of the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and the Arizona Rural Health Association. This year, the forum will be held on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 from 8:00 am to 4:15 pm at the Arizona State Capitol, Governor's Reception Room in Phoenix, Arizona.
This education forum is designed to assist participants in understanding the health and human services directions determined by policy makers in the 2005 legislative session. Key departmental executives will also discuss program priorities for the coming year. Download the flyer here.
For further information contact:
Rebecca Ruiz at 520/626-7946 ext. 254 or by email: mailto:rruiz@coph.arizona.edu.
Arizona Residents Surveyed on Public Health Research
A vast majority of Arizona residents (72%) say the amount spent protecting and improving their health through public health research—about 1 cent of every U.S. health care dollar—is too little, according to a new statewide survey. Seventy-one percent think the investment should be double or more. Eighty-nine percent say preventable disease and injuries in Arizona are a health problem.
The survey was commissioned by Research!America, a not-for-profit, membership-supported public education and advocacy alliance founded in 1989 to make medical and health research a much higher national priority
Upcoming Events from Arizona Flex Program
In coming months, the Arizona Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (Flex) will be sponsoring a number of events for the rural health care community. These include:
Hospital Board of Trustee and Director Training
Trauma Training for Nurses
EMS/First Responder Training
Quality Assurance Training for Inpatient Safety Protocols
Details of these activities will be announced in future issues of this e-newsletter and on the Flex website.
Winslow Memorial Hospital Receives CAH Designation
On November 1, 2004, Winslow Memorial Hospital received designation as a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) by CMS. CAH designation brings increased reimbursement in Medicare and Medicaid payments, additional funds from AHCCCS, and participation in a variety of support and technical assistance programs from the Rural Health Office.
Call for Presentations on Chronic Disease Disparities in Arizona
The Arizona Department of Health Services is soliciting workshop presentations for the Chronic Disease Disparities in Arizona Conference to be held on April 13, 14 and 15, 2005. The conference seeks to enhance participants’ knowledge and skills, demonstrate new approaches, and equip individuals to mobilize community networks that effectively address health disparities.
The deadline for abstract submission is January 14, 2005. They should be sent to:
Arizona Department of Health Services
c/o Office of Tobacco Education and Prevention
Attn: Robbin Brooks
1740 W. Adams, Room 203S
Phoenix, AZ 85007
HSAG Initiates Rural Hospital Award Program
Health Services Advisory Group Inc. (HSAG), Medicare’s Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) in Arizona, will begin giving quality improvement awards to deserving rural Arizona hospitals in 2005. The Rural Hospital Award Program (RHAP) will recognize excellence in the clinical management of pneumonia among rural/low-volume (R/LV) hospitals. Award criteria will be based on hospital results for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) pneumonia quality measures.
RHAP hopes to further stimulate quality improvement efforts and encourage cooperation and collaboration among R/LV hospitals. Moreover, it intends to assist R/LV hospitals in coping with the “bypass” problem, which occurs when potential patients bypass the local hospital in favor of larger institutions. It is anticipated that patients will give stronger consideration to their local hospital if that hospital is publicly recognized for providing high-quality care.
All R/LV hospitals will be invited to the awards banquet on April 19 where those that meet the criteria and are "top performing" will receive an award.
For more information on the awards, contact HSAG’s Larry Cooper, director, Health Education & Publications, at 602-745-6309, or lcooper@hsag.com.
Telemedicine Roundtable Targets Flu
On Thursday, December 16, a Rural Health Telemedicine Roundtable examined influenza issues. Key topics included clinical aspects, current epidemiology, prevention, Native American concerns and infection control. The videoconference in Tucson and Phoenix was also linked to Douglas, Flagstaff, Ganado, Tuba City, and Whiteriver. The roundtable was sponsored by ADHS, the Arizona Telemedicine Program and the Rural Health Office.
The talks from the roundtable will be available via videostreaming at: http://video.biocom.arizona.edu/video/videolibrary/cph/rho/. For updates on the changing flu situation in Arizona, visit the ADHS Flu website: http://www.azdhs.gov/flu/.
Committees Announced for 47th Arizona State Legislature
Committee assignments have been made for the upcoming 47th Arizona State Legislature. Health and Appropriation Committees would consider bills relevant to rural health. Members are listed here.
Health
Doug Quelland (Chair)
Rick Murphy (Vice Chair)
Amanda Aguirre
Dave Bradley
Jennifer Burns
Ted Carpenter
Laura Knaperek
Linda Lopez
Colette Rosati
Appropriations (B)
Tom Boone (Chair)
Jennifer Burns (Vice Chair)
Mark Anderson
Meg Burton-Cahill
Steve Gallardo
Bill Konoponicki
Linda Lopez
Nancy McLain
Robert Meza
Rick Murphy
Warde Nichols
Russell Pearce
Pete Rios
David Smith
Steve Yarbrough
Appropriations (P)
Russell Pearce (Chair)
Lucy Mason (Vice Chair)
Amanda Aguirre
Andy Biggs
Tom Boone
Jack Brown
Judy Burges
Olivia Cajero-Bedford
Eddie Farnsworth
Pamela Gorman
Trish Groe
Laura Knaperek
David Lujan
Albert Tom
Jerry Weiers
Source: AACHC
Grants and Opportunities
Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice
Deadline: January 7, 2005
The Wellstone Fellowship is designed to increase the number of Black/African American, Latino, and American Indian social justice leaders. Candidates seeking consideration for the Wellstone Fellowship must demonstrate an interest in both health care and grassroots organizing and a commitment to contributing to social justice work following their year of hands-on experience as a Fellow. Designed to provide a broad perspective on social justice work, the Fellowship will be based in Washington, D.C. and will afford an opportunity to learn about Medicare, Medicaid, efforts to achieve universal coverage, and other important health policy issues. At the same time, they will learn about conducting health care campaigns through communication and collaboration with a network of state grassroots advocates and organizations.
Details available at Families USA.
HRSA 2005 Funding Review (repeated from previous Rural Health Briefings)
HRSA has released application guidance preview information for a range of 2005 competitive grant programs including several in rural health. Further details can be found at ftp://ftp.hrsa.gov/guidance05/preview.pdf. Note: The programs are not included in the current Federal budget for FY 2005. Potential applicants for these funds should consider this announcement provisional until final Congressional action on appropriations is taken.
(a) Rural Emergency Medical Service Training and Assistance Program
(REMSTEP) HRSA-05-116
Application deadline: January 10, 2005
The REMSTEP program seeks to fund entities that propose to develop improved emergency medical services in rural areas. To be eligible, the entity must be located in or serve residents of a non-metropolitan statistical area, an area designated as a rural area by any law or State regulation, or the most recently published Goldsmith Modification.
For further information, contact Blanca Fuertes, ORPH, 301-443-0835.
(b) One Year Rural Health Research Grant Program
HRSA-05-005
Application deadline: March 11, 2005 (Application available on January 14, 2005)
Recipients of these grants will conduct and disseminate policy-relevant research on issues of national significance in the area of rural health services. Recipients will examine critical issues facing rural communities in their quest to secure adequate, affordable, high quality health services. Research findings will be of interest to national, state and local decision makers with concerns about rural communities.
For further information, contact Nisha Patel, ORPH, 301-443-0835.
Expanding Substance Abuse Treatment, Including Rural, Native Populations
Deadline: January 13, 2005
This Targeted Capacity Expansion Grants program proposes to expand communities’ ability to provide comprehensive, integrated and community-based response to well-documented substance abuse treatment capacity problems. For example, a community might seek this grant to add state-of-the-art treatment approaches or new services to address emerging trends or unmet needs (e.g., intensive case management, referral, and follow-up services to address related HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C, and other primary care healthcare needs of substance abusing clients.) This program will fund projects in three categories: 1) treatment for selected native populations (American Indian/Alaska Native or Asian American/Pacific Islanders; 2) treatment focused on methamphetamine and other emerging drugs in adult, rural populations; and, 3) campus screening and brief intervention to combat underage drinking and substance abuse.
The maximum allowable award is $500,000 per year for up to three years. The program is from HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Click here for full details.
Rural Community Development Initiative
Deadline: January 25, 2005
These grants will be made to qualified intermediary organizations (including tribal) that will provide financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development. Definitions that describe eligible organizations and other key terms are listed on the program website. Details here. Or contact William Kenney, 202-720-1506.
Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization
Registration deadline: January 25, 2005
Application deadline: February 3, 2005
The primary purpose of this Rural Program is to enhance the safety of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and child victimization by supporting projects uniquely designed to address and prevent these crimes in rural jurisdictions. Projects may include treatment, counseling, victim assistance, education, prevention and enforcement. Applications will only be accepted through the US Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs Online Grant Management System. Details here.
Innovations in Tribal Community Public Health Practice
Deadline: January 30, 2005
The National Indian Health Board is seeking proposals for a new, national demonstration program entitled, Turning Point For Native Health: Innovations in Tribal Community Public Health Practice. The goal of the Turning Point for Native Health initiative is to create new approaches to protect and improve the public's health by supporting innovation among new or existing partnerships serving Tribal communities. Details here.
Youth Nutrition and Fitness
Deadline: February 1, 2005
The General Mills Champions Youth Nutrition and Fitness Initiative, a partnership of the General Mills Foundation, the American Dietetic Association Foundation and the President's Challenge works to improve youth nutrition and fitness. The Initiative will award 50 grants of $10,000 each to community-based groups that develop creative programs to help youth (ages 2-20) adopt a balanced diet and physically active lifestyle. Grants will be awarded to programs that demonstrate significant potential impact on youth groups that are at-risk or that have an impact on large populations of youth.
Nonprofit organizations, government agencies, schools/school districts, and Native American tribes throughout the U.S. are eligible to apply. Details here.
Tribal Behavioral Health Systems
Deadline: February 25, 2005
The Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services is seeking applications for the Circles of Care program. The purpose is to provide tribal and urban Indian communities with tools and resources to design systems of care to support mental health for their children, youth, and families in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities.
Circles of Care grants will allow the building of infrastructure to increase the capacity and effectiveness of behavioral health systems serving AI/AN communities. Projects may include successful methods to reduce stigma, improve relationships between provider groups, address the limited service availability and increase cultural competence in the overall system: tribal, federal, and state. This program includes resources for infrastructure development and integrated service models within tribal colleges and universities (TCU) settings. The program expects to make seven awards of approximately $350,000 each. Full details here.
National Health Service Corps Programs
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) offers a competitive program providing loan repayment for service at approved sites in designated health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) of greatest need. The loan repayment program is open to fully trained professionals in the following disciplines: primary health care clinicians, dental health care clinicians and mental health care clinicians. Application deadline: March 25, 2005.
NHSC also has available positions for Ready Responders, mobile teams of health professionals working in some of the most medically underserved areas of the country who also will be trained to respond in the event of a large-scale regional or national medical emergency.
A Recruitment and Retention Application is offered from NHSC which allows posting of job vacancies on the NHSC Opportunities List.
NHSC Scholarships can be applied for by students pursuing primary health care training in certain disciplines. In return, students agree to serve in a HPSA for between two and four years. The applications will be available here in January 2005.
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 Rural Hospital Flexibility Program, housed in the Rural Health Office at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman Arizona College of Public Health, and supported through a grant from HRSA (Office of Rural Health Policy). The Rural Hospital Flexibility 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 enlightened comments, editorial suggestions, and probing questions are welcome. Please send them as well as address changes to Jim Laukes, Editor, Rural Health Briefing.
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