NRHA's Grassroots Working Group

Join NRHA's Grassroots Working Group for health reform! This is YOUR chance to have an impact on the largest health care bill in generations. Health reform legislation is progressing quickly in Congress, and NRHA has created a special tool to share information through this crucial period. Join us for weekly conference calls to hear updates on reform progress and strategize going forward. We need the help of all our members to remind Congress that rural America is a crucial part of health reform. In order for any health reform to be a success for the 25 percent of Americans who live in rural areas, it must address three issues:

• The workforce shortage crisis must be abated;
• Equity in reimbursement must occur;
• Health disparities must be eliminated and vulnerable populations must be protected.

To participate in the Grassroots Working Group, please send a blank e-mail to join-grassroots@lists.wisc.edu, and you will receive an activation e-mail in reply. For more information on rural America and health care reform, click here.

New CMS CAH Regulations for Clinical Labs

The CMS 2010 IPPS final rule includes a change to CAH-Owned Clinical Laboratories which will require these laboratories to meet provider-based requirements as of October 1, 2010. Additionally, off-campus laboratories operating as part of the CAH and created/acquired on or after January 1, 2008 must satisfy both the provider-based requirements and provisions concerning the off-campus facility's minimum distance from a hospital or another CAH. CAH-owned clinical diagnostic laboratory facilities that do not satisfy the provider-based and, if applicable, distance requirements, by October 1, 2010 may continue to participate in Medicare, but will not be considered part of the certified CAH and will be paid under the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS). For more information from CMS, click here; for an advance copy of the CMS State Operations Manual revisions, click here.

Proposed Rules for Meaningful Use and EHR Incentive Payments

CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) encourage public comment on two regulations that lay a foundation for improving quality, efficiency and safety through meaningful use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology. The regulations will help implement the EHR incentive programs enacted under ARRA. The CMS proposed rule and fact sheets, may be viewed by clicking here. ONC's interim final rule may be viewed by clicking here. Join CRHC for the "Understanding the HITECH Incentives" webinar (listed in the events section) where we will discuss the impact these proposed regulations will have on CAHs.