Information has been posted about the 2013 Annual Rural Health Conference. Click here to view more information or to register for the event.

The Faculty Loan Repayment Program from HRSA is now available. There are a lot of eligible disciplines. Click here for more information.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General have issued a set of proposed rules that will impact small rural hospitals, HRSA’s FLEX and SHIP grantees, rural health centers, State Offices of Rural Health and others.  The proposed rule has been published and makes the suggested edit to extend the Stark and anti-kickback exceptions for purchasing electronic health records from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2016.  The proposed changes would drop an e-prescribing requirement and amend language regarding the types of electronic health records that qualify for the waivers; helping rural providers manage the cost of implementing electronic health records.  This is a great opportunity for regional and systems collaboration, for more information the proposed rule can be found at http://www.ofr.gov/(X(1)S(ajtbuyaebtpkte1b4a1eozkc))/OFRUpload/OFRData/2013-08314_PI.pdf

Eligible health care providers (HCPs) can begin the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program application process for Funding Year (FY) 2013 by filing FCC Form 465, Description of Services Requested and Certification Form, for the Telecommunications and Internet Access programs beginning today, April 8.

FY2013 starts July 1, 2013, and ends June 30, 2014. FCC Forms 466 and 466-A will be available at 9:00 AM July 1.

• Apply now using My Portal.
• Click here for help with My Portal.
• New to the RHC Program? Visit the Getting Started page on our website.
• For information about the FCC Form 465, visit the Online Learning Library.

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In 2012, the Office for Victims of Crime and the National Institute of Justice awarded funds to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) to create a National Sexual Assault TeleNursing Center. Telemedicine equipment at four pilot sites will give clinicians 24/7 audio and video access to a staff of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) for guidance and support when treating sexual assault victims.

MDPH has issued a Request for Response (RFR) for three pilot sites that deliver medical services to priority populations (rural, tribal and corrections). A fourth site, serving the military community, will be a U.S Navy facility and will be selected in a separate process. All four sites will work closely with the National TeleNursing Center to ensure a more trauma-informed patient experience, promote healing, and enhance the adjudication of sexual assault cases in these communities. Read more→

The full-day event is being organized by state broadband organizations from Arkansas, Illinois and Missouri. The agenda features interactive panel discussions on healthcare needs, rural issues, policy updates, electronic health information systems and more.

Key objectives of the event are to provide participants with real-world takeaways and actionable items that can be applied to a variety of settings and issues, including healthcare policy, home telehealth, mental health and inpatient and outpatient services.

View more information on the Summit.