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Policy & Research
The Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) has department-wide responsibility for analyzing the possible effects of policy on 62 million residents of rural communities. Created by Section 711 of the Social Security Act, ORHP advises the Secretary on health issues within these communities, including the effects of Medicare and Medicaid on rural citizens’ access to care, the viability of rural hospitals, and the availability of physicians and other health professionals. ORHP analyzes the effects of current policies and proposed statutory, regulatory, administrative, and budgetary changes on rural communities. Because many of the policy levers at the Federal level are related to the Medicare program, review and analysis of prospective changes to Medicare comprise much of the ORHP’s policy work. Significant time and attention also are devoted to other policy areas, including Medicaid, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), workforce, quality, and health information technology (HIT).
Technical Assistance and Resources
Rural Health Research Centers and Policy Analysis Initiatives 
National Advisory Committee on Rural Health & Human Services
CMS Medicare Rural Health Center
CMS Regional Office Rural Health Coordinators (PDF - 21 KB)
National Rural Health Association
National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC)
Alaska Frontier Extended Stay Clinic Consortium
National Center for Frontier Communities
Rural Hospital Flexibility Program Monitoring Team
Location of Critical Access Hospitals
National Center for Rural Health Works
See the Definition of Rural for how the Office of Rural Health Policy defines rural areas for its grant programs.
Visit the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Advisor to find out if your organization is eligible for rural health grants.
HHS Regulatory and Policy Changes Focus on Supporting Rural Health Care (03/14/2013)
CMS Changes to the Hospital and Critical Access Hospital Conditions of Participation to Ensure Visitation for All Patients
CMS Credentialing and Privileging of Telemedicine Physicians and Practitioners Proposed Rule
CMS Payment Changes for Services in Hospital Outpatient Departments and Ambulatory Surgical Centers
The Rural Health Research Gateway is a “one stop shop” for research findings from all the Rural Health Research Centers.
Subscribe to Research Gateway email updates to receive periodic notices of new publications.
