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Congress Needs Your Advice
John Eich, Director, WORH
We've been grateful to see federal funds appear on two of our four grants for this year, but they're debating next year's options as you read this. The Senate approved rural health funding for appropriations last week, but the House historically has denied rural initiatives. Your House representatives could use your guidance on what's important to you, as they track "interest" from constituents. However you'd like them to vote, give them a call!
Why does this matter? A surprising example: many of us consider loan repayment (for providers working in rural and underserved areas) a no-brainer. Broad bipartisan support in Wisconsin and nationally. But the feds just killed funding for this year - we've just had to shut down new applications and are using state funds to cover payments to those already in service. Fingers crossed for federal funding next year, but if this well-respected program can see major cuts, any one can.
So if you believe that loan repayment helps with workforce shortages, and a seasoned EMS leader driving the back roads of the state to help small rural services stay afloat is important, and mini-grants to rural hospitals help them innovate and improve care - maybe share that opinion with your congressman. They can't do this without you.
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News from CMS
Effective for the FY 2026 payment determination year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is removing Screening for Social Drivers of Health (SDOH -1) and Screen Positive Rate for Social Drivers of Health (SDOH-2) from the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program. Both are therefore being removed from the MBQIP core measure set.
Given the decision to remove SDOH 1 and 2 for the FY 26 reporting period, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) will not be required to report these measures.
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Due Soon
340B Program Recertification 2025 - HRSA
Recertification period for hospitals is August 11 - September 8, 2025
- Prior to being able to recertify, Authorizing Officials(AOs) and Primary Contacts(PCs) must set up a user account in the 340B Office of Pharmacy Affairs Information System (340B OPAIS).
- Learn more from HRSA
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Learn
Rural Hospital Stabilization Program (RHSP) - National Rural Health Resource Center
Applications are now being considered for the next cohort starting in the fall.
- RHSP helps rural hospitals improve their financial stability by enhancing or expanding health care services that meet community needs and keep care close to home.
- Eligible hospitals include critical access hospitals, prospective payment system hospitals, rural emergency hospitals and Indian Health Service hospitals.
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Apply by August 20, 2025.
New! 10th Annual Native Nations Nursing, Helpers, and Healers Summit - CEUs available
Friday, November 7, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Summit is for nurses and other healers to share knowledge and collaborative approaches to address the health and well-being of Indigenous communities, incorporate Indigenous wisdom, and promote planetary health which we depend on for our foods, medicines, and life itself.
- Location: UW-Madison, School of Nursing
- Cost: $50, Sliding Scale
- Tribal Members Registration
- Learn more and register (general)
AgriSafe Nurse Scholar Program
Online, Self-paced, Continuing Education
- 23 hours of continuing nursing education, led by experts in agricultural health and safety.
- Sponsored free openings on first-come, first-served basis.
- Learn more and apply
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Grants
Walmart Foundation Spark Good Local Grants
- Applications accepted and reviewed quarterly; next deadline is October 15.
- $250 to $5,000
- Grants to support local organizations that meet the unique needs of the communities where Walmart operates, including Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs, and Distribution Centers.
- Open to 501(c)(3) organizations, municipalities, schools, faith-based organizations.
Firehouse Subs First Responder Grants
- Ongoing applications accepted for up to $45,000
- Grants for first responders and public safety organizations for life-saving equipment (e.g., AEDs, vehicle extraction equipment, ATVs), public education (e.g., CPR training), and scholarships.
- Learn more and apply
Please contact Kevin Jacobson, WORH Loan Assistance Program Manager, for help identifying grant opportunities to support your important work or go to the WORH website.
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Looking for past issues of Rural Health Radar? Perhaps you saw something important, and need a reminder of the registration or application deadline? We've got your back. See past issues on our website near the newsletter sign-up section.
Your feedback on this newsletter and our overall communication efforts are always welcome, too.
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