Nov 29 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services, invites public comment to OMB by December 29, 2023 on the Rural Health Network Development Program Performance Improvement Measurement System.
The Rural Health Network Development (RHND) program is authorized under section 330A(f) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c(f)). The purpose of this program is to support integrated health care networks that collaborate to achieve efficiencies; expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of basic health care services and associated health outcomes; and strengthen the rural health care system as a whole. The program supports networks as they address gaps in service, enhance systems of care, and expand capacity of the local health care system.
RHND-funded programs promote population health management and the transition towards value-based care through diverse network participants that include traditional and nontraditional network partners. Evidence of program impact demonstrated by outcome data and program sustainability are integral components of the program. This is a 4-year competitive program for networks composed of at least three participants that are existing health care providers. At least 66 percent of network participants must be located in a HRSA-designated rural area.
HRSA currently collects information about RHND awards using an OMB-approved set of performance measures and seeks to revise that approved collection. The proposed revisions are being implemented to better gather award recipient data in response to previously accumulated award recipient feedback, peer-reviewed research, and information gathered from the previously approved RHND measures.
There are slight changes to the measures since last OMB approval. The proposed changes to this package are result of review of previous grantees, literature, and responses from the previous performance measures collected. These proposed changes include:
-- Additional components under questions surrounding the network's benefits and funding strategies, as well as the types of participant organizations.
-- Modified questions surrounding Health Information Technology and Telehealth to reflect an updated telehealth definition based on renewed knowledge on the use of both Health Information Technology and Telehealth, and to improve understanding of how these important technologies are affecting HRSA award recipients.
-- The Demographics and Services section now includes a question requesting grantees to identify which counties they have served during the project.
-- Revised National Quality Forum and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services measures to allow uniform collection efforts throughout the HRSA Federal Office of Rural Health Policy.
The Rural Health Network Development Program PIMS will be the reporting system for the Rural Health Network Development Program grantees. PIMS is a tool that allows FORHP to measure the impact of the grant funding.
RHND Program:
https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/find-funding/HRSA-23-030
HRSA submission to OMB:
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=202311-0906-002 Click on IC List for questionnaire, View Supporting Statement for technical documentation. Submit comments through this site.
FR notice inviting public comment:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-26249
For AEA members wishing to submit comments, "A Primer on How to Respond to Calls for Comment on Federal Data Collections" is available at
https://www.aeaweb.org/content/file?id=5806