Improving Rural Health and Telehealth Access
Aug 6, 2020
Signed by: Donald Trump
Signed on: Aug 3, 2020
Published on: Aug 6, 2020
Aug 6, 2020
Signed by: Donald Trump
Signed on: Aug 3, 2020
Published on: Aug 6, 2020
Summary
Aims to make healthcare better and easier to get for people living in country areas, especially by using technology like video calls with doctors.
What problem does this solve?
People in rural areas have a harder time getting good healthcare because of travel issues, fewer doctors, and old technology, which has led to more sickness and hospital closures. This order tells government groups to create new ways to pay for care, build better internet and buildings, and make it easier to see a doctor online.
What does this order do?
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Launching an innovative payment model to enable rural healthcare transformation
Launches an innovative payment model for rural healthcare
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to announce a new model to test different payment methods, giving rural providers more flexibility and predictable payments.
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Expanding flexibilities beyond the public health emergency
Expands telehealth beyond the public health emergency
Requires the Secretary of HHS to review temporary telehealth measures and propose a rule to extend them, allowing more virtual doctor visits for Medicare beneficiaries.
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Investments in physical and communications infrastructure
Develops a strategy to improve rural infrastructure
Orders the Secretaries of HHS and Agriculture to create a plan to improve physical and communications infrastructure, like internet access, for rural healthcare.
Requires a report on improving rural health
Tasks the Secretary of HHS with submitting a report on policies to increase healthcare access, prevent disease, reduce maternal mortality, and improve mental health in rural areas.
Who does this affect?
- Rural Americans
- Healthcare providers in rural areas
- Medicare beneficiaries
What is the real world impact?
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Addresses healthcare challenges in rural America
Aims to fix long-standing problems for the 57 million Americans in rural areas, such as hospital closures and higher death rates from preventable diseases, by making healthcare more accessible and affordable.
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Makes pandemic-era telehealth permanent
Uses the success of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason to make these virtual healthcare options a lasting part of the system, which could change how all healthcare is delivered.
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Appeals to rural voters
Focuses on a key issue for rural communities, a significant voting bloc, potentially to gain political support by addressing their specific healthcare needs and economic concerns related to hospital closures.
When does this start?
This order sets several deadlines for federal agencies to take action within 30 to 60 days of its signing on August 3, 2020.
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Launching an innovative payment model to enable rural healthcare transformation
New Rural Payment Model
Within 30 days (by September 2, 2020), the Secretary of HHS must announce a new payment model for rural healthcare.
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Investments in physical and communications infrastructure
Infrastructure Improvement Strategy
Within 30 days (by September 2, 2020), the Secretaries of HHS and Agriculture must develop a strategy to improve rural healthcare infrastructure.
Report on Rural Health Initiatives
Within 30 days (by September 2, 2020), the Secretary of HHS must submit a report to the President on policies to improve rural health.
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Expanding flexibilities beyond the public health emergency
Extend Telehealth Rules
Within 60 days (by October 2, 2020), the Secretary of HHS must review and propose a rule to extend telehealth flexibilities.