The RTT Collaborative is excited to announce that we are hiring a part-time Associate Director!

Announces the expansion of a cancer care program for veterans. Program clinicians improve access to cancer care by traveling to outpatient clinics in rural and other places. Expansion of the program is expected to bring cancer care to 9,000 additional veterans.

Announces the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy) and the associated Federal Action Plan, a plan developed by 10 federal departments. The National Strategy offers recommendations for addressing needs for at-risk populations. Highlights suicide rate disparities for various race and ethnicities. Includes links to the National Strategy, the Federal Action Plan, and other resources for mental healthcare access and substance abuse services.

Discusses recent research finding the shortage of primary care physicians is greater in rural areas. Includes analysis of findings by study authors, discussing rural-specific needs, Medicare reimbursement, and recruiting rural residents into healthcare.

Describes the role community health workers play in re-entry for recently incarcerated rural Utah residents. Discusses the role of addiction in incarceration and how the program is funded.

Offers review of a new rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding staffing minimums in nursing homes. The new standard is expected to require most nursing homes to increase staff. Discusses the rural-specific timeline for meeting the standard in addition to the impact on wages, workforce shortages, and Medicaid reimbursement.

Announces three rules from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services establishing national standards and increasing access to care. "Minimum Staffing Standards for Nursing Homes" aims to improve healthcare quality by setting minimum staffing standards for nursing staff, collecting and reporting on workforce compensation data, and offering incentives for the nurse workforce to work in nursing homes. The 2 remaining rules work together to establish national appointment wait time standards, address payment transparency, and create payment standards for workers providing home and community based services.

Highlights a program in a rural Nebraska school addressing access to food in the community. A partnership between the school and the village offers a non-profit grocery store that is run by the students and managed by the business teacher.

Discusses the social and economic factors contributing to early mortality for Native Americans. Highlights community health workers, food insecurity, generational trauma, and interventions attempting to reduce disparities.

Discusses population trends for Amish communities based on the need for land and healthcare. Notes that some rare genetic diseases are present in Amish populations and discusses healthcare access challenges related to insurance status and transportation. Highlights an Ohio clinic primarily treating Amish patients.

Discusses the need for mental health services in schools and how states around the country have used Medicaid reimbursement to fund those services. Notes recent policy changes that have made this possible and highlights challenges that remain in using Medicaid reimbursement, particularly for rural school districts.