Rural Spotlight

Health Care Costs a Weighty Issue

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has spent years studying the impact weight has on health care costs. New research suggests obesity costs the nation more than $147 billion every year in the United States alone. That's why the CDC is hosting a conference called "Weight of the Nation." Learn details about the conference and learn more about recent obesity research here.

AHIP Conference Coming in September

America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) wants to keep health professionals informed about the latest developments in insurance plans that deal with Medicare and Medicaid. Multiple sessions will be held September 13-17 in Washington D.C. to not only inform but to encourage discussions about where the health care industry is going. Read about the sessions here.

Prevention Resource for Nurse Practitioners

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is made up of individuals who work in prevention and primary care. The group works to come up with evidence-based recommendations for clinical preventive services. Medical professionals, especially in the areas of nursing are encouraged to use the task force as a resource for techniques and practices in their line of duty. To learn more about this resource, click here.

HRSA Announces New Grant Opportunity

The Health Resources and Services Administration is offering grant guidance for the 2010 Network Planning grants, available at www.grants.gov, Announcement Number HRSA-10-020.  HRSA's Office of Rural Health Policy has been administering these grants for several years now but there are important changes for this competition.  The scope of the $85,000 one-year grants has broadened and HRSA is looking for applications for general community health planning purposes.  So, applicants could focus on a wide range of possible projects such as:  

• Strategic health planning at the community level
• Assessing the economic impact of health care in a rural community
• Promoting collaboration between providers such as Critical Access Hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers
• Conducting a community needs assessment
• Conducting local health workforce planning
• Hire a consultant to conduct HIT readiness 

The change in the program is recognition that what many rural communities need is general planning money to identify issues and bring together key partners to develop plans to address those challenges.  The Office plans on funding 20-25 new awards in 2010. The deadline for applications is September 14, 2009.  Awards will be announced in February 2010 for a March 1, 2010 project start date.
 
Interested applicants should read the revised guidance to understand the new focus of the grants and see if it meets their needs.  If you are interested in applying, you will need to register in grants.gov. There will be a TA Conference call for prospective grantees on August 18, 2009.  Please contact Mary Collier, to register for the call.  We would also recommend that communities consult with their State Office of Rural Health when applying as these entities can be an important partner and resource in this process. For a list of the State Offices of Rural Health, click here.

If you have any programmatic questions, please contact Eileen Holloran, or call 301-443-7529.

A Health Care Legislation Break Down

Overhauling the nations health care system has been a proposed priority for decades. So why are there so many problems with getting new legislation passed? The Wall Street Journal published an article with some of the reasons behind the lack of action when it comes to health bills. Read the article here.

Highlighting Positive Results

Health and Human Services’ Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently released the first in a series of health care “success story” reports that document innovative programs and initiatives that can serve as models for a reformed American health care system. The inaugural report highlights the Michigan Keystone ICU Project, a joint partnership between the Michigan Health & Hospital Association and the Johns Hopkins University. The Michigan Keystone ICU Project helped dramatically reduce the number of health care - associated infections in Michigan, saving over 1,500 lives and $200 million. The goal of the Michigan Keystone ICU Project, which was initially funded by AHRQ, was to make patient care safer in over 100 ICUs in the state of Michigan by reducing catheter-related bloodstream infections. To help reduce these infections, clinicians were asked to implement a safety protocol that included a simple checklist. Select to read the HHS press release.

Barnes-Jewish Named One of Nation's Best

U.S. News and World Report has come out with their annual list of the country's best hospitals. Coming in at number nine is Barnes-Jewish in St. Louis.  Read this article for more on what the Missouri hospital is being recognized for.

NMWBA Offers Application Help for Grant Seekers

The National Medical Wireless Broadband Alliance (NMWBA) gives rural and underserved communities the opportunity to apply for federal stimulus grant funding through the ARRA and Broadband Telecommunications Opportunity Program (BTOP). This unique organization will help your hospital or health system with the application process and pre-design of the wireless DAS system, underwrite the 20 percent match (80 percent funded by the government, 20 percent underwritten) and obtain political support in your state.

“NRHA is proud to announce our new gold level partner, the National Medical Wireless Broadband Alliance” said Alan Morgan, NRHA CEO. “Identifying quality services and products relevant to the rural marketplace is an important benefit we provide to our membership.”

The NMWBA is proud to sponsor an upcoming webinar focused around the BTOP and how your hospital or health system can apply for stimulus grant funding.

Date: Tuesday, July 28
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. CDT
Click here to register.

Presenters Steve Solomon, president of National Medical Wireless Broadband Alliance, and Jim Righeimer, president of engineering firm RF Comsites, will combine their decades of experience in health care, IT and systems design to discuss the following:

• BTOP rules and regulations,
• a grant application overview, including what needs to be in the grant language,
• hospital information necessary to be a participant in a regional or state application,
• and deliverables from the NMWBA.

F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America 2009

According to a new report by the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Roert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), adult obesity rates increased in 23 states and did not decrease in a single state in the past year. In addition, the percentage of children who are obese or overweight is 30 percent or higher in 30 states.

Mississippi had the highest rate of adult obesity at 32.5 percent, marking the fifth year in a row that the state topped the list. Four states now have adult obesity rates above 30 percent, including Mississippi, West Virginia (31.2 percent), Alabama (31.1 percent) and Tennessee (30.2 percent). Adult obesity rates now exceed 25 percent in 31 states. Colorado (18.9 percent) remains the only state where fewer than 20 percent of adults are obese. The F as in Fat report contains rankings of state obesity rates and a review of federal and state government policies aimed at preventing or reducing obesity. The report also offers recommendations for addressing obesity as part of health reform. Some key recommendations include:

• ensuring every adult and child has access to coverage for preventive medical services, including nutrition and obesity counseling and screening for obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes;
• increasing the number of programs available in communities, schools and child-care settings that help make nutritious foods more affordable and accessible and provide safe places for people to engage in physical activity; and
• reducing Medicare expenditures by promoting proven programs that improve nutrition and increase physical activity among adults ages 55 to 64. 
  The report also calls for a National Strategy to Combat Obesity that would define roles and responsibilities for federal, state and local governments and promote collaboration among businesses, communities, schools and families. It would seek to advance policies that:
• provide healthy foods and beverages to students at schools;
• increase the availability of affordable healthy foods in all communities;
• increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of physical activity at school;
• improve access to safe and healthy places to live, work, learn, and play;
• limit screen time; and
• encourage employers to provide workplace wellness programs.

Read more here.

Read the executive summary and full report here.

 

Answers About Health Care Legislation

There's been a lot of talk in the media about what politicians are going to do for the nation's suffering health care system. The Associated Press has put out an article detailing answers to some common questions you may have about the proposals going on in Washington.  Read that article here.