Rural Reporter
-
Purdue Pharma Explored Expansion Into Anti-Addiction Market
(02/07/2019)
Purdue Pharma, the maker of potent painkiller OxyContin, explored expanding into the "attractive market" fueled by opioid addiction, according to recently unveiled internal company documents.
Purdue Pharma executives were discussing how the company should expand across "the pain and addiction spectrum" beginning in 2014, according a civil complaint lodged by the state of Massachusetts against the manufacturer. (Source: Daily Yonder/ProPublica; Image by milivanily, Pixabay)
-
Report: Challenges Facing Rural Communities
(02/06/2019)
A report from the American Hospital Association, a lobbying group, thoroughly outlines a number of challenges that rural communities face in the process of getting high-quality, affordable access to healthcare. The report also outlines suggestions for relief from regulatory and reporting requirements, and identifies new models of care and reimbursement for rural providers. Read the full report, the executive summary, or the infographic.
-
Wisconsin Hospitals Nationally Recognized for Performance
(02/06/2019)
Sixteen rural Wisconsin hospitals are in the top tier of national excellence, according to two new rankings from the Chartis Center for Rural Health released on Wednesday. The rankings recognize performance among small, rural hospitals across the nation. The rankings are determined by rural-relevant indicators of excellence, and are the foundation for several rural recognition programs and legislative initiatives.
Hospitals recognized by the 2019 Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals are Ascension Calumet Hospital in Chilton, Aspirus Langlade Hospital in Antigo, Aspirus Hospital and Clinics in Medford, Mayo Clinic Health System—Red Cedar in Menominee, River Falls Area Hospital, Thedacare Medical Center in Shawano, Upland Hills Health Hospital and Clinics in Dodgeville, and Westfields Hospital and Clinics in New Richmond. Find the complete list of top critical access hospitals for 2019 here.
Hospitals recognized in the rural and community top hospital rankings are Ascension St. Michaels Hospital in Stevens Point, Aspirus Riverview Hospital and Clinics in Wisconsin Rapids, Aurora Medical Center in Manitowoc County, Bay Area Medical Center in Marinette and Menominee counties, Fort Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson, Lakeview Medical Center in Rice Lake, SSM Health St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo, and The Monroe Clinic. Find the complete list of top rural and community hospitals for 2019 here.
-
Vos, Fitzgerald Again Push for Tolling to Fund Roads
(02/06/2019)
Republican legislative leaders are advocating for tolls to help fund Wisconsin road repairs, reports the Associated Press. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald both said tolling could generate needed revenue for road repairs during a round table discussion at a Wisconsin Counties Association meeting Wednesday in Madison. (Image: Royalbroil on Wikimedia)
-
How Health Played Into the State of the Union
(02/06/2019)
Healthcare was a persistent theme in President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address at the Capitol on Tuesday night, as he vowed to take on prescription drug price, pursue an end to the HIV epidemic and boost funding for childhood cancers. Kaiser Health News explores the President's healthcare priorities.
Speaking to the nation, President Trump said that one of his major priorities was "to lower the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs—and to protect patients with pre-existing conditions." Read a full transcript of the address from CNN here. (Image: live still from CSPAN)
-
Congressional Solutions to Problem of Surprise Medical Bills Likely
(02/05/2019)
Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been studying the problem of surprise medical billing for years, and a sudden presidential interest in taming the unexpected bills may give added impetus to push through reform. The problem has affected 57 percent of American adults, according to a University of Chicago survey conducted last summer. Kaiser Health News reports.
-
Win Safety Equipment for Your Fire/EMS Department
(02/05/2019)
Nominate your fire/EMS department to win grain rescue tubes and hands-on training to help first responders save lives. The contest runs from January 1st to April 30th. To enter, describe how your local fire department or emergency rescue team and community would benefit from grain entrapment training and a rescue tube, and how the tube and training could be shared with nearby departments. Nominations are accepted from the general public as well as from fire fighters who wish to nominate their own fire department. For more information and to enter, visit the contest website. (Image: Jana Sabetg Schultz on Unsplash)
-
Driverless Cars Won't Solve Rural Transportation Woes
(02/04/2019)
Rural residents already have a harder time getting around without a car than people in urban areas, but that gap is likely to stay the same or widen once self-driving cars become more common, according to a new report from the Berkshire County Selectmen's Association, which represents 30 small towns in western Massachusetts. The connectivity issues faced there are much the same as those facing rural areas across the nation. (Source: The Rural Blog from the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues)
-
How Your Health Information Becomes a 'Risk Score'
(02/04/2019)
Companies are starting to sell “risk scores” to doctors, insurers and hospitals to identify patients at risk of opioid addiction or overdose, without patient consent and with little regulation of the kinds of personal information used to create the scores. Patient advocates argue the practice could lead to the blacklisting of some patients, preventing them from getting the drugs they need, reports Politico. (Image: Hush Naidoo)
-
More Wisconsin Kids Skip Vaccines
(02/04/2019)
Official data show that a growing number of families in the state are choosing to opt their children out of the vaccinations required to attend school. They can do so for non-medical reasons by signing a form and citing a religious belief or "personal conviction" against immunization requirements—but such trends can pose a threat to herd immunity and those who are unable to receive vaccinations. (Source: Appleton Post Crescent; Image: Pettycon on Unsplash)
-
Why Is It So Cold? Come Warm Up in the Answer Vortex
(01/31/2019)
The "polar vortex" is more than just a buzzword—it's a scientific phenomenon that happens every winter. National Public Radio takes a look at the science behind these record cold temperatures. (Photo: Haarald on flickr)
-
Rates of Social Isolation Vary By Rurality and Demographics
(01/31/2019)
A new study looked at measures of isolation and loneliness among rural and urban older adults and found that, overall, people in rural areas actually reported less social isolation and more social relationships than urban residents. The University of Minnesota School of Public Health gives an overview of the research.
-
Winter Got You Down?
(01/31/2019)
Despite vivid sunshine, this is the time of year when many experience a form of depression called seasonal affective disorder. A Portage mental health professional shares some tips on how to cope with winter-related mental health challenges. (Source: Portage Daily Register; Photo: Drew Hays on Unsplash)
-
What Price Transparency Measures Are Effective?
(01/31/2019)
A new CMS rule that took effect at the start of 2019 requires hospitals to post the price of their procedures. It's an effort to enhance price transparency in medicine, but some commentators note that the list of thousands of procedures can be incomprehensible. The Conversation takes a look at other price transparency tools that could benefit patients and reduce health care costs. (Image: TheDigitalWay on Pixabay)
-
Nationwide Survey Seeks Your Input on Cultivating Resiliency
(01/30/2019)
Researchers are collecting data from farmers, ranchers and other agriculturalists to learn about resiliency to stress and women in agriculture. The survey comes from University of Minnesota Extension Women in Ag Network, American Agri-Women and Minnesota Agri-Women’s District 11, and will be used to develop resources to help women in agriculture.
The same network is also offering an online webinar series for women in agriculture to help them cultivate resiliency. The webinars guide participants in focusing on what they can control in challenging times and connect them with resources and information to help them weather stress.
-
Protecting Animals from Extreme Cold
(01/30/2019)
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is warning pet and livestock owners to protect their animals during extreme cold. Here's how.
-
Legislative Proposal Would Allow Patient Exemptions from Step Therapy
(01/29/2019)
A state legislative proposal would allow doctors and patients to override certain insurance protocols to receive the treatment they need, The Cap Times reports. The proposal would create exemptions that in some situations, would allow doctors and patients to bypass a protocol known as "step therapy."
Through step therapy, an insurance company can require a patient to first try less expensive treatment options — and if those don't work, the patient will "step" his or her way up toward the more expensive medication originally prescribed by the doctor.
Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills and Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette are proposing legislation that would establish a set of criteria to allow doctors and patients to override step therapy protocols in some circumstances. The bill would require insurance companies to respond to the override request within 72 hours in non-emergency situations and within 24 hours in emergency situations. It creates a "clear and expeditious process" for everyone involved, says Darling. (Source: The Cap Times; Photo: Josh Coleman on Unsplash)
-
Seeking Quality, Disability-Friendly Housing, Parents Plan to Build Their Own
(01/29/2019)
In a state where residents already experience a shortage of quality, affordable housing, people with disabilities have even fewer housing options because they may require special accommodations. To that end, a group of parents in south-central Wisconsin is hoping to build an apartment complex they hope will be both affordable and tailored to the needs of their adult children with disabilities. Wisconsin Public Radio reports on the coalition calling themselves Home of Our Own.
-
Evers Clarifies Stance on ACA Lawsuit
(01/29/2019)
Governor Tony Evers has clarified his stance toward Wisconsin's role in the federal legal battle to strike down the Affordable Care Act, reports the Wisconsin State Journal.
In his State of the State address Tuesday, Evers said, “I have fulfilled a promise I made to the people of Wisconsin by directing Attorney General Josh Kaul to withdraw from” the multi-state group that is seeking to overturn in court the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare."
Confusion ensued, with Republican leaders quickly pointing out that Evers was violating the law in issuing such a directive. Legislation passed last month during a lame-duck session curtailed the powers of Evers and Kaul to decide state lawsuits and gave the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee the authority to make that decision.
Kaul’s office announced on Thursday that it would seek approval from the Joint Finance Committee to withdraw from the lawsuit. Speaking Friday, Evers said he always understood and meant to convey that withdrawing from the lawsuit would require finance committee approval. (Source: Wisconsin State Journal)
-
Lawmakers Again Consider Direct Primary Care
(01/29/2019)
Wisconsin lawmakers are again seeking to define direct primary care—a healthcare model that involves paying a recurring membership fee directly to a doctor, rather than using an insurance-centered approach—into state law. While the model exists in the state, Wisconsin has not yet adopted state laws specifying how direct primary care should be regulated. A proposal to define the practice was considered by the legislature in its 2017-2018 session, but failed to pass. And a legislative study committee convened to study the issue last summer failed to reach consensus on defining the practice.
Wisconsin Health News reports Assembly Health Committee Chair Rep. Joe Sanfelippo, R-New Berlin and Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield requested that lawmakers sign on to legislation defining the practice last week. Listen to Rep. Sanfelippo explain direct primary care and the new proposal on the MacIver Newsmakers Podcast.
Sanfelippo said they've revised the bill based on the legislative study committee’s discussion. (Source: Wisconsin Health News and Wiscontext; Image by mcmurryjulie, Pixabay)
