AHA advocates for refinements to health professional shortage area scoring

Sep 18, 2020 - 04:33 PM
rural hospital comment

The AHA today urged the Health Resources and Services Administration to better support hospitals and health systems in rural communities through refinements to the Health Professional Shortage Area scoring approach. 

The comments to HRSA Acting Administrator Thomas Engels are in response to an agency request for information on the methodology, which is used to administer programs that incentivize health care professionals to practice in rural and underserved areas, such as the National Health Service Corps. 

AHA recommended that HRSA reduce volatility in scoring and program requirements to allow hospitals to better plan for workforce needs and discipline shortages. The association also urged HRSA to appropriately account for population aging in HPSA scoring, as well as issues faced by communities that host physician training programs.

Related News Articles

Headline
House Ways and Means Committee advances its portion of FY 2025 reconciliation bill 
The House Ways and Means Committee today advanced its portion of the fiscal year 2025 reconciliation bill by a 26-19 vote along party lines, following an hours…
Headline
AHA comments on House Ways and Means Committee markup
The House Ways and Means Committee May 13 began to mark up its portion of the fiscal year 2025 reconciliation bill, with some proposals impacting the health…
Headline
Study finds social factors explain poorer cardiovascular health in rural areas 
A study published March 31 by the National Institutes of Health found that adults living in rural areas have worse cardiovascular health than those in urban…
Chairperson's File
Chair File: Leadership Dialogue — Importance of Advocacy and Storytelling in Rural Health with Lori Wightman, R.N., CEO of Bothwell Regional Health Center
Public
Rural hospitals and health systems face big challenges, but together — with a unified voice — we can work to ensure people living in rural communities get the…
Headline
AHA, others urge Congress to reauthorize and expand workforce program for foreign-born staff 
The AHA and dozens of other organizations yesterday urged House and Senate sponsors of the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act to…
Headline
AHA podcast: Critical Condition — Cybersecurity in Rural Hospitals with Microsoft, Part 2
John Riggi, AHA national advisor for cybersecurity and risk, and Justin Spelhaug, corporate vice president and global head of Tech for Social Impact at…