Every November at the 11^th hour, on the 11^th day of the 11^th month, our nation comes together to remember and honor the service and sacrifices of our veterans.

As the son and the brother of veterans, I have seen firsthand what it means to be called to service. To me personally, Veterans Day is an occasion to celebrate and salute America’s veterans for their bravery, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Men and women who have served in the armed forces comprise less than 10 percent of the U.S. population. They come from every walk of life - every creed and every color from all across the country. And they play a significant role in HRSA’s mission. HRSA-funded health centers serve more than 398,000 veterans.

Please join me in thanking America’s veterans for their service and the important work they do every day.

Thank you,
Tom Engels

HRSA has kicked off the #TelehealthTuesday social media campaign to spotlight Telehealth.HHS.gov as the trusted place for telehealth information for patients and providers. Every Tuesday, join HRSA and follow #TelehealthTuesday on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn as we highlight tips, best practices, and other resources to ensure telehealth success. Telehealth is convenient and easy, and an important tool, especially during the COVID-19 public health emergency. On Telehealth.HHS.gov providers can find everything they need to know about telehealth, including policy and reimbursement updates, “how to” information, and implementation resources. Patients can get tips and information about the types of services they can receive via telehealth and what to expect from a telehealth appointment.

Learn more at telehealth.hhs.gov.

Providers are encouraged to apply for the latest round of Provider Relief Fund (PRF) support. Applications will be considered regardless of whether an organization was previously eligible for, applied for, received, accepted, or rejected prior PRF payments. For this new phase, funding will be allocated to providers based on assessed financial losses and changes in operating expenses caused by COVID-19.

Providers have until November 6 to initiate an application for funds. Apply Now.

Interested applicants can view a recording of the October 15 Webcast to learn important information about Phase 3, eligibility and the application process.

The Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program provides technical assistance to small and rural hospitals, rural health clinics and other health care organizations located in the 252 counties and parishes served by the Delta Regional Authority (a federal agency and HRSA partner).  Applicants must be willing, able and ready to undertake a large, comprehensive project over multiple years, with activities supporting quality improvement, financial and operational improvement, telehealth, community care coordination, workforce, emergency medical services, and population health. This is an ongoing opportunity with applications accepted on a rolling basis; those applying by November 30 may join the cohort beginning work in February 2021.  

Through HRSA’s cooperative agreement with National Organizations of State and Local Officials, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials posted a video interview with New Jersey’s Deputy Commissioner for Public Health Services and the Executive Director of the New Jersey Maternal Care Quality Collaborative. The interview explores the Nurture New Jersey initiative that aims to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity by 50% over five years and to eliminate racial disparities in birth outcomes.

Watch the interview.

Since March, 36 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have enacted more than 79 bills changing telehealth policies, either permanently or temporarily, during the pandemic. This article published by the National Conference of State Legislatures discusses the details of that legislation. The article was funded through HRSA’s cooperative agreement with the National Organizations of State and Local Officials.

Read the article.

This report from the National Academy for State Health Policy examines how Colorado, Minnesota, and Rhode Island are using accountable care programs to improve the delivery of behavioral health services. It was developed through HRSA’s cooperative agreement with the National Organizations of State and Local Officials.

Read the report.