National Rural Health Association Advocacy

Our Annual Health Policy Institute is almost here! Are you ready to raise your rural voice for change?

We can't wait to see everyone in DC next week!
Make sure you're registered and view our agenda here: https://t.co/VoLLaCkLgc

Prepare for your day on the Hill by reviewing NRHA's 2024 Policy Institute Advocacy Guide Toolkit here: https://t.co/yHqBium9PT

Happy National Rural Health Day! To celebrate, NRHA has asked members to share why they love rural health. Some of the responses have been featured below.

As the holidays quickly approach, NRHA is focused on our year-end priorities. It is critical that Congress fully funds the rural health safety net. Please join NRHA in our year-end advocacy push by visiting ruralhealth.us and advocating through our easy-to-use advocacy campaign templates!

Join the Government Affairs team this Thursday for a special Grassroots call. The call will preview the 118th Congress and hopefully provide a status update on our year-end priorities. There will also be a discussion of the recently released regulations.

Register in advance here: https://ruralhealth-us.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYkd--prD4jGtMDTxqwQ9LSqdQjhquuAJit

NRHA's latest Rural Horizons Magazine is now online! Check out three new articles on rural + health equity, sustainable rural SUD partnerships, and NRHA's new rural obesity and chronic disease initiative: https://bit.ly/3I29Ryi

LIVE TODAY: At 10 a.m. ET. watch the House Ways and Means Committee markup H.R. 432. This bill includes provisions for Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) and Mental Health Counselors (MHC) to bill under Medicare. NRHA is supportive of this legislation.

Watch live here: https://waysandmeans.house.gov/legislation/markups/markup-worker-and-family-support-and-health-legislation

Read NRHA's letter of support: https://www.ruralhealth.us/getattachment/Advocate/Legislative-Branch/2022-09-15-NRHA-Mental-Health-Requests.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US

www.ruralhealth.us

With fall approaching, NRHA has begun focusing on our year-end priorities. At the top of our list: Medicare Extenders. It is crucial Congress renews critical Medicare programs. Many rural patients and providers are facing closures and increased barriers to care. Message your Congressman and let them know what to do: https://www.votervoice.net/NRHA/Campaigns/96074/Respond

Urge Congress to Extend Critical Medicare Programs The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) urges Congress to extend critical Medicare programs that provide much-needed support to rural hospitals and providers. NRHA supports legislation to extend the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and...

One of NRHA's year-end priorities is an extension of telehealth flexibilities. Telehealth is critical to many rural communities. Visit our advocacy webpage to learn more and contact your elected official directly and request rural friendly tweaks to the current telehealth statute.

Poor broadband access in rural areas limits telemedicine use: study Telemedicine is frequently touted as a technology tool that can help improve healthcare access for rural populations, especially in areas with physician shortages. | Telemedicine is frequently touted as a technology tool that can help improve healthcare access for rural populations, especially in ar...

This fall, NRHA encourages all to participate as advocates. Not sure how? That's ok! We're here to help. See below for our guide on advocacy and stay tuned for future resources.

www.ruralhealth.us

Happy fall! The Government Affairs team has been busy this summer preparing new advocacy materials! We are excited to show you all what we have in store for the end of year!

Make sure to keep in touch and feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. We want to hear about your experience with rural health and how we can help. Tell your families, friends, neighbors, anyone who is impacted by the rural health about us! And make sure to follow us on our all social media to never miss a minute of the action.

Twitter: NRHA_Advocacy
Instagram: NRHA_Advocacy

It's now easier to send National Rural Health Association Advocacy a message.

“Health care access is critical to preserving the rural way of life for more than 60 million rural Americans. The Save America's Rural Hospitals Act must be considered to ensure stability in our communities, which will ultimately benefit the country as a whole” -Alan Morgan, NRHA

Since KHN published this op-ed outlining the health care needs of rural areas, two additional rural hospitals have closed. Since 2010, 140 rural hospitals have now closed their doors. As Morgan writes, "it’s time Congress considers the Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act!"

Rural hospitals create domino effect of other hardships. Read below to hear what NRHA C.E.O. Alan Morgan had to say on saving rural hospitals. Morgan highlights the Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act and advocates for the bill to save rural health care.

Read the full article here: https://khn.org/news/article/letters-to-editor-july-2022-readers-and-tweeters-medical-debt-homelessness/

A Free-for-All From Readers and Tweeters, From Medical Debt to Homelessness KHN gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.

The NRHA Government Affairs team is hosting a listening session on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid's new Rural Emergency Hospital Designations and Critical Access Hospitals proposed rule TODAY at 12 EDT. The team will provide a brief overview of the regulations followed by Q&A. Please bring with any questions or concerns. There is still time to register here: https://ruralhealth-us.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkduqsrzMsG9b0WHkp0DhOfrRb96NTIAga

National Rural Health Association is thrilled with the recent announcement by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of a one-year postponement of HPSA’s proposed for withdrawal. NRHA worked hard to advocate for its members and applauds HRSA for their decision! The postponement allows rural communities to continue rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic without added strains on the workforce. We look forward to continuing work with HRSA to ensure the rural health workforce grows. Read the full announcement here:https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2022-14501.pdf

National Rural Health Association Advocacy updated their website address.

Join us for the National Rural Health Association's 33rd Annual Rural Health Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. Feb 8-10!

As champions, we have transformative conversations every day — with patients, coworkers, & community members. At NRHA's Rural Health Policy Institute, your voice has power to enact change with federal policymakers. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3E4IkLz National Rural Health Association Advocacy

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), began distributing $7.5 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural payments to providers and suppliers who serve rural Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare beneficiaries.

The National Rural Health Association applauds HHS & HRSA for distributing the ARP Rural payments as soon as possible, as we have advocated. These funds will allow providers to sustain access to care for their patients, modernize their facilities, and retain their workforce.

We hope everyone had a great !

National Rural Health Association is proud to celebrate and the with individuals and organizations across the nation, and we want to share some exciting updates!

President Joe Biden proclaimed November 18, 2021, National Rural Health Day. https://lnkd.in/dBP28eVr

Rep. Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ-01) and Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK-04) introduced a Congressional resolution, cosponsored by 50 House members, recognizing November 18, 2021, as National Rural Health Day. https://lnkd.in/d6md8AFt

NRHA and 15 members of the Rural Health Action Alliance ( ) released a proclamation celebrating and urging to advance the Rural Health Equity Act ( & ), introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Congressman Donald McEachin (D-VA-04). https://lnkd.in/d6PcRyzT

If you are looking for ways to continue celebrating , we encourage you to participate in our campaigns to urge to:
- Include in the ( ) reconciliation package
- Invest in rural health via fiscal year (FY) 2022 appropriations
- Not cut Medicare reimbursements

Additionally, we encourage you to register for NRHA's 33rd Annual Rural Health Policy Institute ( ): your chance to guide the future of rural health policy by advocating on behalf of issues you care about Feb. 8-10 in Washington, D.C. https://lnkd.in/dCE87UZt

A Proclamation on National Rural Health Day, 2021 | The White House America's rural communities feed and fuel our country, steward our precious lands, and are home to 1 out of every 5 Americans.  As we continue to

Last week, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Congressman Donald McEachin (D-VA) led the bicameral introduction of the Rural Health Equity Act (S. 3149 & H.R. 5848) to establish an Office of Rural Health within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and help address the unique health care challenges and inequities faced by rural communities across America.

Alan Morgan, National Rural Health Association chief executive officer, noted that, “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the structural barriers facing rural Americans have become increasingly evident and have exacerbated the need for rural representation within the CDC.”

NRHA strongly supports the , and we look forward to working with Senator Merkley and Representative McEachin to advance the legislation.
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-mceachin-introduce-bicameral-bill-to-address-rural-health-inequities-2021

Merkley, McEachin Introduce Bicameral Bill to Address Rural Health Inequities | U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon The Official U.S. Senate website of Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon

We are excited to announce a technical assistance webinar for rural providers on Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Period 1 and the *now open* PRF Phase 4/American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural application.

Join us and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) on Thursday, October 14th at 11:00 a.m. ET to get the information you need!

During the webinar, we will review highlights of the reporting process and allow attendees to ask questions and share best practices for reporting activities.

Be sure to share your questions with us when you register for the webinar!

https://lnkd.in/dGufnB2E

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Rural Provider Relief Fund Technical Assistance Webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Please join the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for an update to rural providers on Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Period 1 and the – now open – PRF Phase 4/American Rescue Pl...

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announces $25.5 BILLION in critical provider relief funds for healthcare providers affected by the pandemic, including $8.5 BILLION in American Rescue Plan funding for providers. View the Department's press release for more info: https://lnkd.in/d9SYJmSb

HHS Announces the Availability of $25.5 Billion in COVID-19 Provider Funding Combined application for American Rescue Plan rural funding and Provider Relief Fund Phase 4 will open on September 29

The White House released a new fact sheet that details how President Biden’s agenda helps communities. It explains that the plans to make funding available to meet the immediate needs of communities, keep open, and improve in rural communities.

Notably, the fact sheet mentions that "in the coming weeks" the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is providing $8.5 billion in funding to help compensate providers who serve , , and patients for lost revenue and increased expenses associated with COVID-19. https://lnkd.in/dRVJmE_x

FACT SHEET: How President Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda Helps Rural Communities | The White House One year ago, with the country at a crossroads, President Biden unveiled his Build Back Better Agenda. Facing a raging pandemic, unprecedented economic downturn, profound climate crisis, and persistent racial injustices, President Biden outlined an ambitious agenda that would position America not ju...

Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) is leading the charge to establish an Office of Rural Health within the CDC. Read her op-ed in The Washington Times to learn more!

"Establishing a new Office of Rural Health within the CDC would be an important way to support rural communities through the end of this pandemic and to strengthen public-health capacity in rural America generally. I envision this office as being empowered to look across CDC programs to ensure the agency’s work is properly addressing the needs of the 57 million Americans who live in rural communities. The care of these hard-working families should not be a secondary consideration after nationwide or metropolitan needs are addressed.

In a recent Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, I pushed CDC Director Walensky to establish such an office, and I will work through the Fiscal Year 2022 process to do everything I can to bring this to fruition because the need is very real."

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/jun/29/millions-in-rural-america-deserve-hospital-access-/

Millions in rural America deserve hospital access and CDC support I am a part of a proud fifth-generation farming family. The town where I grew up Monticello, Mississippi has a population of fewer than 2,000 people.

National Rural Health Association has launched a new rural-relevant resource library, which features talking points, fact sheets, and customizable content for leaders in communities.

Although many resources are currently available, we know materials focused for rural audiences will be most effective in reaching our communities. These tools to can assist you immediately and allow you to easily distribute and co-brand by adding your organization’s logo. We encourage stakeholders to use these resources to help increase COVID-19 and uptake in .

The resource library includes conversation starters and public service announcements developed in partnership with the COVID Collaborative, Health Action Alliance, and the Ad Council that can help rural employers, small business owners, and public sector employers share vaccine facts and improve vaccination access for employees and families.

https://lnkd.in/d4pDsfa

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources - NRHA Vaccinating rural communities to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic is no simple task and NRHA understands the unique issues and viewpoints you face as a rural health stakeholder leading the way. Although many resources are currently available, we know materials focused rural audiences will be most effe...

Morning Consult published a joint op-ed by National Rural Health Association CEO Alan Morgan and National Grange President Betsy Huber on ways to improve vaccine confidence and uptake. Our message is simple: it's time to magnify the voices of local leaders to promote vaccine efficacy.

"Policymakers at all levels must deliver customized messages, solutions and strategies for rural communities to increase vaccine access and combat hesitancy to ensure we put this pandemic behind us. The health and well-being of these residents and that of the nation depends on it."



https://lnkd.in/dwSxmWE

We Must Equip Local and Rural Communities to Provide the Facts on COVID-19 Vaccination and End the Pandemic - Morning Consult Policymakers must partner with rural communities to expand vaccine access and combat hesitancy in a tailored way that answers questions and meets people where they are.

Let's be clear: getting vaccinated for is important and Americans have struggled with confidence. However, we need to improve rural messaging before decrying rural America as .

Messaging to date has not been rural appropriate. Instead of focusing on the benefits of getting vaccinated, messaging has emphasized that rural residents should get vaccinated because the federal government tells them to, which will not work.

Rural Americans care about the health of their communities and personal freedom - not what officials in the federal government say. It's time to fix the messaging. COVID-19 vaccines help protect yourself, those around you who are vulnerable, and your civil liberties.

We need to stop vilifying rural Americans for being vaccine hesitant and start sharing factual messages about the benefits of getting vaccinated in rural communities. If this last year has shown us anything, it is that COVID-19 is not an us vs. them scenario. We are each better off when we help protect the health of others.

https://lnkd.in/duyVwti

COVID-19 vaccination divides rural America | Agweek Many rural Americans are reluctant or unwilling to be vaccinated against COVID-19, raising concerns about rural America's ability to achieve "herd immunity." But health care experts have some recommendations of how to persuade rural residents to get vaccinated.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has determined six pharmaceutical manufacturers are in violation of the statute. HRSA Acting Administrator Diana Espinosa sent letters to the manufacturers explaining their policies that place restrictions on Program pricing to covered entities that dispense medications through pharmacies under contract resulted in overcharges and are in direct violation of the 340B statute.

https://lnkd.in/dwqWyT6

NRHA supports HRSA's decision to inform these manufacturers of their statute violations. We sent this letter to HHS/HRSA last week: https://lnkd.in/dck66vY.

We look forward to continuing to work with HHS/HRSA to ensure the integrity and longevity of the Program. It is simply too critical to to be undercut.

www.ruralhealthweb.org

is top of mind for America’s families. As Washington considers its next move, the majority of , and voters say health care should be a high priority for the President and Congress this year.

All of us should have the opportunity to live a healthy life and receive high quality, no matter our race, ethnicity, gender, location, or identity. New polling shows that voters want to see action.

is infrastructure. Equity is vital. No matter our race, wealth, or geography, we all need affordable health care, including prescriptions. Real recovery hinges on President Biden, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi centering health in the .

https://familiesusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/COV-42_Hart-Research-Poll-One-Pager.pdf

familiesusa.org

Want to be a advocate? National Rural Health Association Advocacy has published a new document highlighting the association's priorities for rural relief and serving as a guidepost for legislative and administrative action in response to the pandemic: https://bit.ly/3xagGtg