California just received $233M in federal funding to transform rural healthcare. HCAI is hosting an informational webinar on April 21 at 9:00 AM PT — if you're a rural provider, you need to be there.

#CalRHTP #RuralHealth #California #Telehealth #HCAI #RuralHealthcare

This all comes down to keeping hospitals open and making sure people can see a doctor when they need to. Please like, comment, follow, and share to keep this conversation going.

#aaronforny23 #wny #ny23 #ruralhealthcare #medicare #medicaid #healthcare #PublicHealthWeek

Public Health Week is the moment to demand concrete plans: transitional care pathways, mobile clinics, expanded tele‑triage, and state support to keep essential dental access local.

#aaronforny23 #ny23 #wny #commongood #healthweek #ruralhealthcare

House committee hears bill to clarify pharmacists’ limited prescriptive authority amid disputes over abortion coverage In a lengthy April 7 hearing, supporters including Rep. Genevieve Mina and Brandy Sign Martin (Alaska Pharmacy Association) said HB 195 clarifies existing law to let pharmacists provide limited, low‑acuity care; several legislators raised concerns the bill or collaborative practice agreements could be used to enable pharmacists to prescribe abortion medication, a point the attorney general’s memo disputes.

A new bill in Alaska aims to empower pharmacists with limited prescriptive authority for low-acuity care, but it faces heated debates over potential implications for abortion medication.

Read the full story

#AK #PharmacyReform #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #RuralHealthcare #AlaskaPharmacy

DigiBooBoo device securely transmitting data via the cellular network.

Wi‑Fi is not everywhere.

Homes. Rural communities. Temporary housing. Field care. Natural disasters.

That is why DigiBooBoo is being built around cellular transmission from the start.

#ConnectedCare #RuralHealthcare

As the legislative session winds down, we have a few more issues of Policy Watch to look forward to. In the mean time, catch up on Paul Johnson's reporting from the Capitol @ kansasruralcenter.org/policy-watch
#KSLeg #KRC #RuralCommunities #BeyondCoal #RuralHealthcare #PolicyWatch

HCII Seminar Series - Alexander Adams | Human-Computer Interaction Institute

Join us for our next #HCIISeminarSeries w/ guest Alexander Adams, assistant professor at Georgia Tech.
🎤 "Remote diagnostics & patient monitoring technologies for ubiquitous healthcare"
📅 Fri., April 3
🕑 2pm
📍 NSH 1305+livestream
🔗 Details: hcii.cmu.edu/news/event/2...
#RuralHealthcare #HealthTech

Witness says Medicare dialysis reimbursements can force rural clinics to close At a congressional hearing on ESRD policy, Dr. Taylor testified that Medicare reimbursement rates can be below the cost of care, creating staffing pressures and risking closure of rural dialysis units if payments are not sustainable.

Dr. Taylor's testimony revealed a shocking truth: inadequate Medicare reimbursements are threatening the survival of rural dialysis units, putting countless lives at risk.

Get the details!

#UT #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #MedicareReform #RuralHealthcare

The DHS freeze on new Medicaid provider enrollments is an inhumane mistake. By blocking essential services, the state is punishing vulnerable residents for administrative issues. We need solutions that target fraud without cutting off care. #RuralHealthcare #DHSFreeze #MNpolitics

Committee advances rural oncology training fix to general register Lawmakers advanced House File 4003 to the general register after testimony that the bill would allow non‑Minnesota‑trained clinicians into a rural oncology pilot at Lakewood Health System in Staples to expand the rural oncology workforce pipeline.

A new bill aims to boost rural cancer care in Minnesota by opening doors for out-of-state clinicians to join a vital oncology training program.

Learn more here!

#MN #CitizenPortal #MinnesotaOncology #RuralHealthcare #CancerCare #WorkforceDevelopment

Committee advances bill to ease physician-assistant collaboration requirements The committee passed SB 89 as amended, with testimony from PAs and rural staffing groups saying the bill would reduce administrative burdens that delay deploying PAs to underserved communities.

Senate Bill 89 is set to revolutionize healthcare in rural Alaska by slashing red tape for physician assistants, enabling faster deployment where it's desperately needed.

Learn more here!

#AK #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #RuralHealthcare #AdministrativeBurden #AlaskaHealthcare

Alaska committee hears extensive testimony on bill to allow limited prescribing by naturopathic doctors The House Labor and Commerce Committee heard hours of testimony March 20 on HB147, which would let licensed naturopathic doctors obtain a temporary endorsement and limited prescriptive authority after pharmacology testing and a supervised collaboration period; no final vote was taken.

A pivotal bill in Alaska could soon empower naturopathic doctors to prescribe medications, promising to alleviate healthcare shortages and improve patient care in underserved areas.

Click to read more!

#AK #LegislativeReform #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #AlaskaPrimaryCare #RuralHealthcare

The Royal College is piloting free access to MEDLINE Ultimate for Fellows who have little or no access to evidence-based resources — opening up 2,500+ peer‑reviewed journals with advanced search and AI summaries: bit.ly/3NNhOQP

#MEDLINEUltimate #EquitableAccess #RuralHealthcare #MedEd

House committee hears bill to modernize occupational therapy scope in Alaska The House Labor and Commerce Committee heard invited testimony on HB 347, which would update Alaska’s occupational therapy statute to reflect national standards, clarify OTA roles, allow direct access for patients, and remove wording that excluded volunteers; no committee vote was taken on the bill.

Alaska is on the brink of a major shift in occupational therapy, aiming to enhance patient care and access with the introduction of House Bill 347.

Click to read more!

#AK #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #OccupationalTherapyReform #AlaskaOccupationalTherapy #RuralHealthcare

Why not make getting basic meds easier? Imagine vending machines stocked with necessities in rural areas! Just swipe and grab what you need,who wouldn't love a hassle-free health boost? Let’s revolutionize access to care!

#HealthAccess #MedVendingMachines #RuralHealthcare

Committee advances bill limiting hospital price growth, keeping price caps out of the law The Health and Human Services Committee advanced LD 2196 as amended, replacing proposed hospital price ceilings with market-basket growth caps for certain insurance markets and a phased-in floor for primary care and behavioral health reimbursement; analysts estimated five-year net savings after reinvestment of roughly $157.8 million.

Maine's legislature is taking bold steps to curb hospital costs with a new bill that promises significant savings while ensuring vital health services remain intact.

Learn more here

#ME #MaineHealthcare #InsuranceReform #CitizenPortal #RuralHealthcare #HealthcareCosts

Sponsor says telehealth parity would expand rural access; committee probes out‑of‑state providers Senate Bill 83 would require insurers to reimburse telehealth at the same rate as in‑person care. Staff summarized registry data (2,207 telemedicine businesses; ~80% with Alaska addresses) and the committee questioned workforce, licensing, and in‑network/out‑of‑network implications.

Senate Bill 83 aims to level the playing field for telehealth services in Alaska, potentially transforming access to care across the state.

Click to read more!

#AK #AlaskaTelehealth #HealthcareAccess #InsuranceReform #CitizenPortal #RuralHealthcare

Senators debate PBM bill’s costs and exemptions as committee adopts amendment and advances measure to floor S342, addressing pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices, reimbursement floors and licensing, prompted extended debate over cost impacts and exemptions for state plans; the committee adopted a subcommittee amendment, agreed to carry several amendments to the floor, and reported the bill out for further consideration.

Senators are wrestling with a new bill aimed at reforming pharmacy benefit managers, but uncertainty looms over who will ultimately shoulder the financial burden.

Get the details!

#SC #PharmacyBenefitManagers #CitizenPortal #RuralHealthcare #HealthcareTransparency #SouthCarolinaPharmacy

Panel advances bill to preserve poison-control services and clarify veterinary telemedicine rules Senators voted to advance House Bill 1195 (LC 4043479), which supporters said will allow poison-control centers and veterinarians to offer tele-triage and tele-advice statewide by clarifying a 50-mile/24-hour requirement that previously limited services.

A new bill in Georgia aims to ensure quick veterinary care for pets in emergencies, particularly in rural areas, by clarifying confusing telemedicine rules that could hinder poison-control services.

Learn more here

#GA #CitizenPortal #TelemedicineAccess #GeorgiaVeterinary #RuralHealthcare

Senate eases CON rules for cancer care, aiming to expand rural access Lawmakers passed SB 367 to exempt facilities dedicated primarily to cancer treatment from certain certificate-of-need requirements after extended debate and amendments to carve out some existing rural nonprofit hospitals; sponsors said the change would expand access and reduce wait times in underserved areas. Vote: yeas 32, nays 17.

Georgia senators just passed a pivotal bill to cut red tape for cancer care facilities, aiming to save lives by expanding access to critical diagnostic equipment in underserved areas!

Click to read more!

#GA #LegislativeReform #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #GeorgiaCancerCare #RuralHealthcare

Regulated Industries and Utilities committee advances Senate Bill 367 to scale back Certificate of Need rules The Regulated Industries and Utilities committee voted to advance Senate Bill 367, a proposal to relax Certificate of Need (CON) requirements; public commenters praised faster access to care and an executive with Florida experience said phased deregulation prompted more outpatient capacity and private investment.

Senate Bill 367 could revolutionize healthcare access in Georgia by relaxing Certificate of Need rules, with supporters claiming it will foster faster, more efficient services for patients in need.

Click to read more!

#GA #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #GeorgiaHealthcare #RuralHealthcare

Nebraska hearing on DHHS 1115 waiver draws broad opposition from hospitals and providers Department of Health and Human Services told the Health and Human Services Committee it will seek a Section 1115 waiver to eliminate retroactive Medicaid eligibility to the month of application; hospital leaders, clinics and patient advocates warned the change would shift costs to providers, worsen discharge planning and harm vulnerable patients.

Nebraska's push to eliminate Medicaid's retroactive eligibility could leave vulnerable patients with overwhelming debt and threaten rural healthcare access—hospital leaders are sounding the alarm!

Learn more here

#NE #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #RuralHealthcare #PatientAccess

More pregnant Americans are skipping prenatal care, CDC finds One in four pregnant patients in the U.S. go their entire first trimester without an appointment.

Less prenatal care means more complications and deaths for Moms and babies.

#MaternalHealth #RuralHealthcare #ChronicIllness

www.axios.com/2026/02/25/p...

Island Health leaders urge Committee to support critical-access designation for rural hospital Island Health testified in favor of SSB 5923, which would enable cost-based reimbursement if the hospital obtains federal critical access certification; witnesses described service losses and high Medicaid share and said current payments do not cover costs.

Island Health is fighting for critical access designation to secure funding and ensure essential healthcare services for over 45,000 patients on a rural island.

Learn more here

#WA #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #RuralHealthcare #EmergencyCare

Railway Medics: How Kazakhstan’s Medical Trains Are Bridging the Rural Health Divide Rolling Through the Steppes: Kazakhstan's Mobile LifelineAcross the vast expanse of Central Asia, where winter temperatures plunge below freezing and...

Railway Medics: How Kazakhstan’s Medical Trains Are Bridging the Rural Health Divide #Medicaltrains #Mobileclinics #Ruralhealthcare

Bartlett Hospital board outlines budget pressures, clinic growth and Medicaid uncertainty Hospital leaders told the Finance Committee that Bartlett expects FY26 expenditures to exceed budget because of clinic expansions and timing/reimbursement issues; they projected FY27 positive net income but warned that changes to Medicaid and lapse of a rural demonstration program could materially affect future revenue.

Bartlett Hospital leaders are navigating budget challenges and clinic expansions, with hopes for a positive FY27 despite looming uncertainties in Medicaid funding.

Click to read more!

#JuneauCityandBorough #AK #JuneauCity #CitizenPortal #HealthcareFinance #RuralHealthcare #CommunityOutreach

Senate debates expanding rural hospitals’ investment authority; anesthesia coverage amendment fails The Missouri Senate took up Senate Bill 10 19 to raise the cap on nonoperating hospital investments from 25% to 50% for district and municipal hospitals, sparking questions about safeguards. An amendment to protect anesthesia billing and ban insurer time caps on anesthesia minutes was debated and defeated; the bill was placed on the informal calendar for further work.

The Missouri Senate is shaking things up by potentially doubling investment flexibility for rural hospitals, but a critical amendment to protect anesthesia coverage just got shot down!

Get the details!

#MO #InsuranceReform #CitizenPortal #MissouriHospitals #RuralHealthcare #HealthcareInvestment

Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault warns staffing gaps threaten rural forensic and advocacy response The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Tundra Women's Coalition told the House Judiciary Committee that staffing shortages, contracting practices and reduced prevention funding have scaled back subregional sexual‑assault responses and increased reliance on Bethel and itinerant providers.

Staffing shortages and changes in contracting practices are critically undermining sexual-assault responses in rural Alaska, forcing victims to seek care far from home.

Click to read more!

#AK #CitizenPortal #SexualAssaultResponse #VictimServices #RuralHealthcare #AlaskaDomesticViolence

Missouri optometrist urges passage of HB 2897 to expand office-based procedures, citing rural access gaps At a House committee hearing, Dr. Kelly Dearing testified HB 2897 would let qualified optometrists perform a short list of office-based procedures to reduce travel burdens and wait times in rural Missouri; opponents questioned whether the bill guarantees rural practice and urged caution.

Dr. Kelly Dearing advocates for House Bill 2897, arguing it could revolutionize rural healthcare access by allowing optometrists to perform essential procedures right in their communities.

Learn more here

#MO #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #RuralHealthcare #MissouriOptometry