Rural Health Confluence
Welcome to the Rural Health Confluence from Convergence Health! As we receive rural relevant information, resources, and stories, we will collate and share with partners and collaborators. Please feel free to share among your networks and colleagues!
Click on the button below to be navigated directly to the section of interest.
Learning Opportunities | Live & On Demand
Discover a diverse array of learning opportunities specifically designed for rural health care professionals, offered by a variety of esteemed organizations. Participate in live webinars to gain real-time insights and engage with experts in the field, access a comprehensive library of on-demand webinars, allowing you to learn at your own pace and convenience and stay updated with podcasts that explore the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in rural health care.
Protecting Patient Safety at the Crossroads of AI, Cybersecurity and GRC | March 25 | American Hospital Association | AI is rapidly reshaping cybersecurity; governance, risk and compliance (GRC); and broader health care operations, creating new opportunities — but also new risks that directly impact patient safety. Join John Riggi, national advisor for cybersecurity and risk at the American Hospital Association; Ed Gaudet, chief executive officer and founder of Censinet; and special guests as they explore how health care organizations can identify, assess and govern AI risk while ensuring safety, security and compliance. Learn how to collaborate across the business to identify and manage AI risks, align AI governance strategies with security and safety priorities and establish well-informed oversight. Gain best practices for AI risk management, governance and decision-making to ensure responsible AI adoption across your organization.
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Advisory Councils Transformed (ACT) Framework: Initiating Authentic Partnerships with Patient/Family Partners | March 28 | PFCCpartners | Patient and family engagement (PFE) is often championed as a priority in healthcare, yet organizations struggle to translate this vision into transformational, lasting impact. Traditional Advisory Council structures of all varieties are often challenged to represent the full diversity of a community/population. Many health systems and teams have limited resources to sustain traditional Advisory Councils. And an Advisory Council's impact can be limited by organizational structures that isolate their activities. The Advisory Councils Transformed (ACT) Framework is a reimagined approach to enhancing inclusive engagement, expanding impact, and catalyzing person-centered transformation. This distributed, "no-wrong-door" approach ensures the right voices are heard, at the right moments, to drive meaningful change. Most importantly, the ACT Framework establishes more inclusive pathways for collaborating with historically underrepresented voices. Empowering those voices to have an expanded impact because their thought-partnership is embedded directly into improvement efforts
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NRHA Rural Medicaid Listening Session | April 2 | In response to potential Medicaid cuts floated on Capitol Hill, NRHA's government affairs team is hosting a Rural Medicaid Listening Session at 1pm EST on Wednesday, April 2nd. We will cover the various Medicaid proposals and their impact on rural communities, an overview of the budget reconciliation process, and how to use NRHA's Medicaid resources in your advocacy. Attendees will also have an opportunity to voice their concerns about Medicaid cuts. Please register in advance here. You may NHRA’s Medicaid cuts one pager here.
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Impact of Stigma on Recovery in Professional Communities | April 3 | Great Lakes ROTA-RC | Research shows that substance use-related stigma is high among the general public, among treatment professionals, and even among people who use drugs themselves. The burden of stigma is a particular challenge for former, current, or aspiring professionals who face additional barriers related to hiring, promotion, and social engagement. In this session, we explore the impact of stigma on professional communities as well as evidence-based strategies to reduce it.
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Maximizing Rural Hospital Value: The Strategic Risks That Can Kill Success | April 9 | National Rural Health Association | Rural hospitals face critical decisions when it comes to partnerships. While some collaborations unlock new opportunities and financial stability, others can lead to strategic drift, strained resources, or even closure. How can rural healthcare leaders navigate these complexities and ensure partnerships deliver true value? Join us for a discussion on The Promise and Peril of Rural Hospital Partnerships, where we will explore: strategic considerations, the role of operational strength and identifying and quantifying value. This webinar is designed for rural hospital executives, board members, and healthcare leaders seeking to make informed, strategic decisions that align with their mission and long-term sustainability
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Leveraging Technology and Workflow Optimization to Address Social Drivers of Health | April 10 | American Hospital Association | Join us for an engaging discussion on how health care organizations are leveraging innovative technology and optimizing workflows to address social drivers of health (SDOH) effectively at scale. This webinar will feature insights and lessons learned from leaders at Yale New Haven Health System and Presbyterian Delivery System, who are transforming patient outcomes through cutting-edge social care solutions.
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State of the Healthcare Industry - Market Updates for Rural Strategy | April 11 | National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) | NOSORH, in partnership with Stroudwater Associates, invites you to attend an essential quarterly webinar series, State of the Healthcare Industry: Market Updates for Rural Strategy. Join industry experts as they discuss the latest healthcare trends and strategize how to maintain essential services in rural communities. Click here for more information and to register.
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Strategic Planning for Rural Hospitals: CEO Panel on Navigating Challenges & Driving Success | April 17 | National Rural Health Association | This webinar will be a panel discussion with rural hospital CEOs on Strategic Planning for Rural Hospitals, where we’ll share actionable strategies to move your organization from planning to measurable results. This presentation will also explore the critical steps to ensure your team is prepared to plan effectively, including identifying key data, establishing a fact base, and involving the right people in the process. Whether you're in the midst of challenges like EHR transitions or external pressures, this discussion will equip you with practical tools and insights to confidently navigate your strategic planning journey.
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Nurse Engagement Strategies That Are Helping Rural Hospitals Cut Early Turnover | April 22 | National Rural Health Association | Rural healthcare leaders know the cost of losing good nurses — especially new graduates. With nearly 30% of new nurses leaving their first job within a year, it’s time to look beyond the usual fixes. In this educational session, you’ll explore what’s working in rural hospitals right now — from stronger onboarding to building a culture of engagement that keeps nurses invested long after orientation ends. Nicole Weathers, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, a nursing professional development specialist with over a decade of experience supporting rural hospitals, will share research-backed insights and practical strategies rural facilities are using to reduce turnover and build stronger teams — even with limited resources.
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Rural EMS Staffing in 2025: How Rural Hospitals Are Reducing Delays and Strengthening Patient Care | May 8 | National Rural Health Association | Rural EMS staffing shortages aren’t new — but the strategies rural hospitals are using to manage them are evolving fast. In this educational presentation, rural healthcare leaders and EMS experts will share what’s working now, from cross-training clinical staff and building local workforce pipelines to using telehealth and regional collaboration to keep response times down and ensure patient care doesn’t suffer. This session brings together experts who have faced these challenges head-on and found solutions that fit rural realities.
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Building Rural Health Resilience through Cybersecurity and AI | March 19 | National Rural Health Association | Join the upcoming monthly webinar series specifically designed to empower rural healthcare organizations with the essential knowledge and tools needed to enhance cybersecurity and AI capabilities. The series will kick off with a session on the unique cyber risk landscape of rural health, highlight the distinct risk profile of rural health organizations based on research and survey data, and provide strategies to fortify your organization’s cyber resiliency
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Critical Condition – Cybersecurity in Rural Hospitals with Microsoft | Podcast | American Hospital Association | Hospitals and health systems are also encouraged to visit the AHA's Cybersecurity Support webpage for additional resources from AHA cybersecurity partners. (03/17/2025)
Part 1: John Riggi, national advisor for cybersecurity and risk at the American Hospital Association, and Justin Spelhaug, corporate vice president and global head of Tech for Social Impact at Microsoft Philanthropies, discuss the unique vulnerabilities rural hospitals face, the latest cyberthreats, and actionable strategies to strengthen defenses.
Part 2: John Riggi, national advisor for cybersecurity and risk at the American Hospital Association, and Justin Spelhaug, corporate vice president and global head of Tech for Social Impact at Microsoft Philanthropies, discuss the urgent need for stronger defenses, the role of technology leaders to combat these attacks, and Microsoft’s strategies for long-term resilience.
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Approaching Systems Change with Dan Heath - Turn on the Lights Podcast | Podcast | Institute for Healthcare Improvement | New York Times bestselling author Dan Heath joins this episode of Turn on the Lights to discuss ways to apply behavioral and systems thinking principles to health care and fix broken systems. (3/3/2025)
News & Research
Stay informed with this curated compilation of recent articles, journals, and updates specifically focused on rural health. Access the latest research findings and industry news to keep you abreast of developments and innovations in rural health care.
HHS Public Health Emergency for Opioid Crisis Extended 90 Days | Department of Health & Human Services | The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today that Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. renewed the public health emergency declaration addressing our nation’s opioid crisis, which will allow sustained federal coordination efforts and preserve key flexibilities that enable HHS to continue leveraging expanded authorities to conduct certain activities in response to the opioid overdose crisis. While opioid-related overdose deaths have declined by 25.5% over the past year, synthetic opioids like fentanyl remain the leading cause of drug-related fatalities, with 150 Americans dying daily from overdose and in rural areas, rates of drug overdose deaths are rising and have surpassed rates in urban areas (NRHA, Rural Health Round Up, 03/21/2025)
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DEA and HHS Delay Implementation of buprenorphine final rule until Dec. 31 | Drug Enforcement Administration & Health and Human Services | The Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Health and Human Services announced that the effective date for the final rule regarding telemedicine prescribing of buprenorphine will be further delayed from March 21 to Dec. 31. (03/24/2025)
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Rising Rural Mortality Rates from Natural Causes for Working-Age Adults Lead to Widening Gap with Urban Counterparts. | USDA Economic Research Service | A new USDA Economic Research Service analysis finds that rural working-age adults (25–54) have experienced rising mortality rates from natural causes, leading to a growing disparity with urban counterparts. Highlighted findings include: The gap in mortality rates between rural and urban areas for the prime working-age population grew from a rural lead over urban areas of 6 percent in 1999 to a rural lead of 43 percent in 2019. The more rural the area, the greater the increase (or smaller the decrease) in natural-cause mortality rates, affecting both males and females. Rural, working age adults were the only group to experience increase in natural-cause mortality. Leading causes of death driving this trend include heart disease, cancer, and lung disease, with notable increases in pregnancy-related deaths for women and hypertension-related deaths for men. The findings suggest that worsening rural health outcomes, rather than improvements in urban areas alone, are driving the growing mortality divide. (NRHA, Rural Health Round Up, 03/21/2025)
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COVID made shortages of doctors and nurses even worse. Rural hospitals still struggle. | Health News from NPR | The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing health care workforce shortages. Today, hospitals still struggle with attracting and retaining clinicians — especially in rural areas of the US. (03/24/2025)
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Improvement in Safety Culture Linked to Better Patient and Staff Outcomes | American Hospital Association & Press Ganey | The AHA and Press Ganey released a report showing hospital and health system patients reporting improvements in overall care experience and perception of safety alongside gains in key safety outcomes. It also shows that the health care workforce has had a rebound in reported experience, resilience and perceptions of safety culture. The reports are part of the AHA’s Patient Safety Initiative that was launched in 2023 to reaffirm hospital and health system leadership and commitment to patient safety. The initiative provides hospitals with tools and data to advance patient safety, offers a platform for sharing their stories of improvement with peers, and highlights examples of innovation that support, spread and sustain safety improvement. (03/17/2025)
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Retired Doctors Step Up in the Face of a Rural Health Care Crisis | The Daily Yonder | With a projected shortage of 86,000 physicians by 2036, rural areas are feeling the strain. Retired doctors, like Dr. Jeff Chappell in Utah and Dr. Douglas DeLong in New York, are returning to practice part-time to help fill the gap. These physicians highlight the unique challenges of rural healthcare—long distances to hospitals, aging patient populations, and fewer medical resources—but also the deep community ties that make rural practice fulfilling. Efforts are underway to encourage young doctors to consider rural medicine as a career path, ensuring continued access to care in these underserved areas. (NRHA Rural Round Up. 03/17/2025)
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550 Hospitals Join Microsoft’s Rural Cybersecurity Program | American Hospital Association | Microsoft announced that 550 rural hospitals have joined the Cybersecurity for Rural Hospitals Program, an initiative created last year in partnership with the AHA that includes free and heavily discounted cybersecurity services. It also includes nonprofit pricing for qualifying critical access hospitals on Microsoft enterprise licenses. Visit the registration page to learn more and sign up for the program. Hospitals and health systems are also encouraged to visit the AHA's Cybersecurity Support webpage for additional resources from AHA cybersecurity partners. (03/10/2025)
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Quarterly 340B Program Registration | April 1-15 | HRSA's Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) | Quarterly 340B Program site registration is open from April 1 to 15. Health centers will be able to register a site that has been verified as implemented and with a site status reflected as “active” in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks Form 5B through Tuesday, May 27. After that date, the system will close to prepare for the July 1 start.
Email the 340B Prime Vendor Program or call 888-340-2787 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ET) to register a new site or ask questions. You will need to provide: Health center name, site/clinic name, site IDs for all sites, HRSA/BPHC grant number, contact name and email, Authorizing Official name and email. The Authorizing Official will receive an email message that the account is unlocked and a registration may be submitted.
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Lessons from States: Community Health Workers Can Support Caregivers and Older Adults | National Academy for State Health Policy | The National Academy for State Health Policy explores how Wisconsin, California, and other states engage community health workers to help family caregivers and older adults navigate health and related services. (03/03/2025)
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What Medicaid Means for Rural Communities | Georgetown University Center for Children and Families | People in small towns and rural communities are more likely to rely on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program for health coverage. Georgetown’s Center for Children and Families examines the role of these programs in rural life. (03/03/2025)
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2025 State of Rural Healthcare Report | Wipfli | Wipfli’s third annual State of Rural Healthcare Report is now available. Leaders from rural hospitals and clinics nationwide shared their perspectives, outlooks, and concerns. Responses were aggregated and compared to data collected over the years. The full report contains insights, statistics, and strategies to guide your rural healthcare organization. (03/03/2025)
Tools & Resources
Explore our collection of rural health toolkits, resources, guides, and best practices from a variety of reputable sources. Whether you're seeking practical tools to enhance your practice, detailed guides to navigate specific challenges, or best practices to implement in your community, our resources are designed to support and advance rural health care. Stay equipped with the latest and most effective strategies to improve health outcomes in rural areas.
Patient Safety Structural Measure – Everything You Need to Know to Get Started | Convergence Health | This site highlights CMS’ Patient Safety Structural Measure and provides all the information you need to know to get started! On this page you will find measure specifications, reporting deadlines, CMS information, as well as resources developed by Convergence and other industry leaders. Let us know what you think! (03/24/2025)
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Improving Rural Emergency Departments: A Vital Necessity| Convergence Health | Forty-two percent of emergency departments (EDs) in the U.S. are located in rural areas. Rural EDs are often the primary access point for both emergency and primary care in rural communities, serving populations that tend to be older, sicker, and more vulnerable than urban counterparts. Because rural EDs handle some of the highest patient volumes in hospitals, optimizing efficiency, patient flow, and safety is essential to improving health outcomes and maintaining high-quality care. Convergence Health has developed a comprehensive Emergency Department Improvement Toolkit that includes: Real-world solutions shared by hospitals, actionable strategies tailored for rural settings, and best practices based on research and hospital experiences. (03/17/2025)
Get Involved
Your voice matters—get involved and make a difference! Our platform offers numerous opportunities for you to participate, including requests for information, open comment periods, engagement initiatives, and application processes. By sharing your insights and feedback, you can help shape policies and practices that impact rural health care. Join us in fostering a collaborative community where every voice is heard and valued. Together, we can drive meaningful change and improve health outcomes in rural areas.
American Hospital Association Next Generation Leaders Fellowship | March 31 | American Hospital Association | A fellowship program designed to empower healthcare leaders to bring about lasting change in the hospital and health systems in which they serve. Rural applicants are encouraged.
Regulatory & Policy
Stay informed with this comprehensive rural health policy information. Access the latest updates and changes in regulations that impact rural health care, and explore a wealth of resources on rural legislation from reputable sources. Our curated content ensures you stay abreast of important policy developments, providing the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the regulatory landscape effectively. Empower yourself with reliable information and stay ahead in the field of rural health care.
CMS Proposes 2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Rule | Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) | CMS released the Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Proposed Rule for 2025, outlining changes to eligibility verification and enrollments in Marketplace coverage. Key proposals include modifying income verification procedures, reinstating pre-enrollment verification for special enrollment periods, and shortening the annual Open Enrollment Period to December 15. Additional changes would revise subsidy eligibility rules and impose stricter verification for premium tax credits. The full rule is available here. (NRHA Rural Round Up. 03/21/2025)
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Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act | Representatives from West Virginia, New York, Alabama, Oregon, Ohio and Washington introduced H.R. 2232, the Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act. This bill ensures that rural and remote communities maintain access to critical emergency services by ensuring adequate Medicare reimbursement for emergency service providers, helping them hire and retain EMT staff and modernize their equipment to continue delivering lifesaving care. Bill text is available here. (NRHA Rural Round Up. 03/21/2025)
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Preserve Access to Rapid Ambulance Emergency Medical Treatment (PARA-EMT) Act | Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) and Rep. Brad Finstad (R-MN) introduced the bipartisan H.R. 2220, Preserve Access to Rapid Ambulance Emergency Medical Treatment (PARA-EMT) Act. The bill would address EMS staffing shortages and make it easier for experienced veterans to transition from medics to becoming certified paramedics and EMTs. Bill text is available here. NRHA Rural Round Up. 03/21/2025)
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Rural Wellness Act to Support Rural Telemedicine Projects | National Rural Health Association | Reps. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Congressman Brad Finstad (R-MN), Congressman Don Davis (D-NC), and Congressman Dave Taylor (R-OH) reintroduced the Rural Wellness Act. This bill will expand access to quality health care in rural communities by providing competitive grants for telemedicine projects, with an emphasis on projects focused on substance use disorder treatment. (NRHA Rural Round Up. 03/17/2025)
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Hospitals: Actions to Make Healthcare Prices Transparent | The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) alerted hospitals that the agency is planning a more systematic monitoring and enforcement approach to non-compliance with the Hospital Price Transparency requirements pursuant to a recent executive order. CMS notes that consistent with current policies, non-compliance will be addressed with swift enforcement. CMS posted a list of enforcement actions to date as well as a Hospital Price Transparency Enforcement Activities and Outcomes dataset with information related to enforcement actions taken by CMS. All hospitals, including Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Emergency Hospitals, and hospital-based departments, which may include some Rural Health Clinics, are required to post their standard charges prominently on a publicly available website. (NRHA Rural Roundup. 03/17/2025)
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CMMI announces early end of certain payment models | The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday announced that it will end four payment models early, terminating each by the end of 2025. The models are Primary Care First, End-Stage Renal Disease Treatment Choices, Making Care Primary and Maryland Total Cost of Care. CMS also is considering reductions to the Integrated Care for Kids model. In addition, the CMS Innovation Center will no longer implement the Medicare $2 Drug List or Accelerating Clinical Evidence models. Participants should expect follow-up communication from their models with timelines, technical assistance and other information regarding the wind-down and close-out. (03/17/2025)
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Assistance for Rural community Hospitals (ARCH) Act | Reps. Carol Miller (R-WV) and Terri Sewell (D-AL) reintroduced the Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals (ARCH) Act. This bill will extend the Medicare-dependent hospital program and Medicare low-volume hospital payments for five years each. (03/10/2025)
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Protecting Rural Seniors Access to Care Act | Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and James Lankford (R-OK), reintroduced the Protecting Rural Seniors’ Access to Care Act. The legislation would reverse the nursing home staffing rule mandate from the previous Administration that would harm facilities across rural America and could force many to close. The legislation would also establish an advisory panel on nursing home staffing that includes voices from both urban and rural communities. The panel would submit a report to Congress that analyzes workforce shortages and makes practical recommendations to strengthen the workforce. In late February, Representative Fischbach (R-MN) introduced the companion bill in the House. (03/10/2025)
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NRHA launches “Rural Stories” | National Rural Health Association | NRHA is excited to introduce their latest advocacy tool, “Rural Stories”. The most impactful advocacy tool you have is your story. Talking about your community and experience can help people identify with rural health issues and show how the impact legislation and policy have on rural residents across the country. NRHA encourages you to share your experiences in rural health, whether it is working in a rural hospital struggling with workforce shortages, traveling far distances to obtain healthcare access, experiencing the impact of rural hospital closures in your community, or explaining how specific rural programs and funding have benefited or harmed your rural community. NRHA will be tracking and saving your stories to utilize and quote in specific advocacy campaigns, messaging, social media, and Hill meetings with Congress to lift up your voices!
Funding Opportunities
Discover a comprehensive compilation of funding opportunities tailored for rural providers and communities. Access a variety of grants, scholarships, projects, and programs designed to support your initiatives and maximize your efforts. Our resources provide the financial backing needed to drive impactful improvements in rural health care. Empower your community with the supportive funding necessary to make a meaningful difference.
Rural Health Care Program – Health Care Connect Fund | April 1 | Federal Communications Commission via Universal Service Administrative Company | The Universal Service Administrative Company is an independent not-for-profit designated by the FCC. The program provides assistance to healthcare providers for eligible expenses related to broadband connectivity at a flat discounted rate of 65 percent. Participants can apply as an individual health care provider or as a consortium, i.e., a group of HCPs that can be both rural and non-rural.
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Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program | April 3 | US Department of Transportation (DOT) | The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program that will make available technical assistance for rural and tribal communities for the planning and design phase development of transportation projects. The NOFO offers $27 million in technical assistance grants to rural and tribal communities for the planning and design phase development of transportation projects. There is no local funding match required to participate in this program. Up to $10 million is designated for Tribal applicants. The application period is March 4 – April 3, 2025.
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Nursing Innovation Funds Available | April 4 | AARP and AACN Critical Care | To help strengthen the nursing workforce, AARP and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN Critical Care) have issued an RFP seeking innovative and replicable solutions to create and sustain healthy work environments and improve recruitment and retention rates of registered nurses. Awards of up to $20,000 each will be provided for selected projects that can be completed in one year. Proposals are due no later than 10 pm ET on Friday, April 4, 2025. Please find details, including the RFP, application and frequently asked questions here.
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Rural Residency Planning and Development Program | April 10 | Health Resources and Services Administration | Grants to expand access to healthcare in rural areas by developing new sustainable rural residency programs, including rural track programs (RTPs). The program will provide start-up funding to create rural residency programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
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Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Pathways | April 14 | Health Resources and Services Administration | Grants to create innovative new youth-focused, peer-driven behavioral healthcare support programs while also offering career pathway opportunities in rural communities.
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Rural Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Planning and Development Grant | April 17 | Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | Grant funding to supports organization in the development or expansion of sustainable PACE programs to improve delivery of comprehensive medical and social services tailored to the needs of elderly individuals in rural areas.
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Community Connect Grants Program | April 21 | U.S. Department of Agriculture | USDA Rural Development provides funds to establish broadband service in rural, economically challenged areas where service does not exist. Application deadline: 4/21/2025
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HRSA Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program (Rural MOMS) | April 22 | HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) | Rural MOMS funds networks that establish or continue collaborative improvement and innovative models that can provide long-term sustainable and financially viable service delivery to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. The work of these networks supports the goal of the program to improve maternal and infant health outcomes and access to and delivery of maternity and obstetrics care in rural areas and reduce preventable maternal mortality risks and decrease severe maternal morbidity in rural areas. HRSA awards up to 3 cooperative agreements for up to $1,000,000 per year, to provide support to establish innovative, collaborative rural obstetric networks to improve maternity care and access to care in rural communities. Applications are for the program’s 4-year period of performance (September 30, 2025 - September 29, 2029).
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Drug-Free Communities Support Program Notice of Funding Opportunity | May 5 | CDC’s Drug-Free Communities | Do you know an organization working to prevent youth substance use in your community? Are you passionate about connecting with youth and helping them thrive? There's an opportunity to act by applying for funding through the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program. You can learn more about the program and eligibility requirements by visiting the DFC website.
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Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program |Ongoing | U.S. Department of Agriculture | USDA Rural Development provides funding to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in rural areas. Projects include fire and rescue stations, town halls, health care clinics, hospitals, childcare centers, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, public buildings, schools, libraries, and many other community-based initiatives.
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Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Programs | Quarterly | U.S. Department of Agriculture | USDA Rural Development supports zero-interest loans and grants for current and former eligible Rural Utilities Service borrowers who then use the funds to help local businesses finance projects that create and retain jobs or support community facility projects.
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Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDL and REDG) | Ongoing | U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development | Loans and grants to assist in the economic development of rural areas, including funds for healthcare facilities and equipment, telecommunications networks, and job creation projects.
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USDA Rural Hospital Technical Assistance | Ongoing | National Rural Health Association & U.S. Department of Agriculture | Through the USDA Rural Hospital Technical Assistance, the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) will work with contractors and partners to provide technical assistance for rural hospitals to identify and address healthcare needs and strengthen local healthcare systems. The overall goal of the program is to enhance hospital systems for improved efficiency and financial performance, bolster quality of care, and support communities.
Data Reporting - Deadlines, News, & Resources
You'll find the latest news on quality deadline changes and reporting instruction updates. Connect with essential resources for the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP), specifically tailored for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Our curated information ensures you remain informed and compliant, helping your organization meet requirements and optimize performance.
CMS Abstraction & Reporting Tool – CART
CART is an application used by CMS to collect quality improvement data. CMS has released recent updates on the use of CART. Prior to collecting and submitting data, please check the encounter periods and correlating deadlines to ensure you are using the right platforms. To download updates or new versions of CART for Inpatients, visit the CMS website here: https://qualitynet.cms.gov/inpatient/data-management/cart. (02/24/2025)
OUTPATIENT QUALITY REPORTING
CMS has phased out the CART tool for the OQR Program! Hospitals will now enter chart abstracted data in the Hospital Quality Reporting (HQR) System. This process is effective with 4Q 2024 data, Due May 1.
In an email Quality Reporting Notification hoqr-notify@mailer.qualitynet.org dated February 27, CMS Hospital Quality Reporting provided further details and a link to this short instructional video. Please note that although the support video specifies REHQR, the same steps can be used for OQR.
You can also find written instructions provided to State Flex Programs by the Rural Quality Improvement Technical Assistance (RQITA) Resource Center. Please visit the RQITA website for more resources, support and technical assistance on the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) and the Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program.
INPATIENT QUALITY REPORTING
Upgrade from version 4.33.0. Download
October – December (Q4) 2024 discharges
Deadline: May 15, 2025
Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock (SEP)
Use this version with CY 2025 discharges
Submission deadlines start with August 2025
Please contact the CCSQ service center, who is contracted by CMS for technical assistance.
CCSQ Support Central HQR Support:
qnetsupport@cms.hhs.gov
1-(866)-288-8912
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RQITA Monthly MBQIP Newsletter | The Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) is a quality improvement activity under the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) program of the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP).
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CMS DATA REPORTING RESOURCES
Specifications and Reporting Dates
Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR): https://qualitynet.cms.gov/inpatient/iqr
Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR): https://qualitynet.cms.gov/outpatient/oqr
Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR): https://qualitynet.cms.gov/reh/rehqr
Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP): https://www.ruralcenter.org/programs/tasc/mbqip
Other Inpatient Program Information:
Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program: https://qualitynet.cms.gov/inpatient/hac
Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program: https://qualitynet.cms.gov/inpatient/hrrp
Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program: https://qualitynet.cms.gov/inpatient/hvbp
Electronic Clinical Quality Measures: https://qualitynet.cms.gov/outpatient/measures/ecqm
