CMS updates providers on efforts to improve access to care in rural America

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today convened a Rural Health Solutions Summit, where agency leaders and health care stakeholders discussed ways to improve access to care in rural America and support innovation in health care delivery. Participants included Karen DeSalvo, M.D., acting assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services, CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt and other agency leaders, who updated participants on the work of CMS’s Rural Health Council and other divisions to address issues facing rural hospitals and care providers. CMS also facilitated conversations on maintaining access to essential health services, enhancing innovation in rural health care delivery and modernizing telemedicine. The agency plans to conduct regional listening sessions in the coming months. AHA participated in the summit and will share information on the upcoming listening sessions as it becomes available.