It’s been six months since the White House announced its new Rural Council.
We know health care impacts everything from a community’s life expectancy to its economy, but we didn’t know how the new council planned to impact rural health across America.
McKalip at the White House
So the National Rural Health Association’s Rural Roads magazine asked Doug McKalip, White House senior policy advisor for rural affairs, to fill us in on the council’s plans.
“Most people would probably be surprised to know that we still have a divergence in mortality rates in America between rural areas and metro areas. It’s certainly a goal of the council to help ensure that an American’s life expectancy doesn’t have to be determined by location,” he said.
Check out the rest of his answers to NRHA’s questions here.
Hear directly from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who serves on the White House Rural Council, during NRHA’s Rural Health Policy Institute Jan. 29-Feb. 1 in D.C.
Jarod Giger is already making the news as one of the National Rural Health Association’s newest Rural Health Fellows.
“Issues that individuals in rural states and communities have are very unique, and I oftentimes don’t think those voices are heard, so I hope to give a voice … to make sure those needs are being met,” says Giger, a University of South Dakota assistant professor of social work and one of 13 new fellows, who will first meet at NRHA’s 23rd annul Rural Health Policy Institute later this month in D.C.
After the completion of a competitive review process, the 2012 fellows were selected to participate in this year-long, intensive program aimed at developing leaders who can articulate a clear and compelling vision for rural America.
The new fellows are: [click to continue…]
by emahn on December 23, 2011
President Obama signed the two-month payroll tax/Medicare extension into law after the House of Representatives officially passed the Senate extension bill Friday.
The measure, almost identical to a Senate-passed resolution, extends vital rural provisions for two months while congressional leaders work out a compromise for a year-long measure.
The Senate and House conference committees are expected to begin their work on funding the full-year tax cut/Medicare extensions after the New Year.
Join NRHA in continuing to advocate for the inclusion of all expiring rural provisions in any legislation at the Rural Health Policy Institute in Washington, DC. Attendees will learn firsthand about the development and implementation of health care policy at the federal level and meet with their members to discuss issues relevant to rural health care quality and access, including Medicare extenders. Click here register today and save $100.
Please continue to monitor this blog and NRHA’s congressional action kit for a full list of expiring provisions, updates and developments.
Leadership aides inside the House of Representatives have told media outlets that the chamber will take up, and presumably pass, a version of the Senate payroll tax-Medicare extender legislation. The measure, almost identical to a Senate passed resolution, will extend vital rural provisions for two months while congressional leaders work out a compromise for a year long measure. The measure will be slightly modified from the Senate passed measure to allow implementation of the short term tax provisions by payroll companies. The measure is contingent on support by members of the caucus but is expected to pass.
Please continue to monitor this blog, NRHA’s Facebook page, and NRHA’s congressional action kit for a full list of expiring provisions, updates and developments throughout the evening.
The House of Representatives voted to “disagree” with Senate passed legislation aimed at extending vital Medicare extenders, including many rural relevant provisions. In a 229-193 vote, the House asked for an official conference to reconcile the differences between the Senate measure and a bill passed by the House that failed to include a number of rural provisions. The House bill also included a number of offsets or “pay-fors” that would harm rural providers and facilities.
The Senate has adjourned for the calendar year. The House is expected to return to their districts and adjourn for the year around 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday. A final compromise on expiring tax, Medicare and other provisions is not expected to occur before the new year.
NRHA will continue to advocate for the inclusion of all expiring rural provisions and insist that payment gaps caused by temporary expiration be avoided. Please continue to monitor this blog and NRHA’s congressional action kit for a full list of expiring provisions, updates and developments.
House Republican leadership held a press conference on Monday night announcing their plans to hold various votes on Senate legislation that would extend certain tax and Medicare provisions for two months. Leadership expressed firm opposition to the legislation and predicted that the House would defeat the measure.
House Speaker John Boehner has repeatedly advocated for a “conference” procedure that would allow House and Senate negotiators to reconcile differences in their versions of the extensions. The House Rules Committee will meet late Monday night to set the procedures for the votes and a schedule for the votes will be released shortly thereafter. Up to five votes are expected to be taken on Tuesday morning to approve the Rules Committee’s recommendations, pass or defeat the Senate measure and set protocols for the conference process.
NRHA continues to advocate for the inclusion of all expiring rural provisions in any legislation. Please continue to monitor this blog and NRHA’s congressional action kit for a full list of expiring provisions, updates and developments.
