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>>Health in Central Appalachia
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National Rural Health News
>>NRHA Has New Office
>>2008 Agenda Now Available

The Virginia Rural Health Association invites members and colleagues to join us for the National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA) Rural Health Policy Institute. The institute is scheduled from January 28 through January 30, 2008 at the Capital Hilton in Washington D.C.

Register now to take advantage of this opportunity to hear from administrative officials and to advocate your rural community's concerns to your Congressional representatives. During the Policy Institute, you will also have the opportunity to meet rural colleagues from across the nation.

VRHA will coordinate visits for Virginia attendees to meet with our Congressional members and staff. Capitol Hill visits will be scheduled for Tuesday, January 29, 2008. At this time, visits have been scheduled with the offices of Senators Webb and Warner, and Congressmen Goode and Wolf, with others to be added as available.

Over the course of the Policy Institute, attendees will also hear from members of President Bush's administration as well as Congressional leaders and committee members regarding expected changes in rural health policy in the upcoming year.

Our congressional delegation will present a uniform message regarding rural health priorities. Currently six VRHA members make up the group - please join us!

VRHA is in search for submissions for the next edition of the Virginia Rural Health News - VRHA's bi-annual print newsletter. Articles should be e-mailed to VRHA no later than January 18th.

Click the logo below to view the Summer 2007 edition.

Poverty and poor health go hand-in-hand in the Central Appalachian coalfields. While a lack of services may be part of the cause, many of the region's worst woes result from personal choice, a resident of the region argues. Education holds the key for changing behavior and building a better future.

Click here to read the full article.

The Virginia General Assembly introducted a wide variety of bills last week; some of which may have an impact on health in rural areas. To read more about the bills below, click the bill number.

HB 479 Stroke Triage Plan
HB 500 HB 572 HB 1341 SB 501 Smoke Free Air Act/Virginia Indoor Clean Air Act
HB 504 Health insurance
HB 510 Medical assistance plan
HB 576 Medical records
HB 584 Nurses, licensed
HB 593 SB 578 VirginiaShare Health Insurance Program
HB 603 Health insurance carriers
HB 615 Health insurance
HB 1265 SB 579 Department of Health; payment for medical care services
HJ 156 Public health emergencies
HJ 174 Health care professionals, licensed
HJ 193 Study; accessibility to vision care services and products
SB 645 Health insurance

The NRHA Government Affairs Office has relocated to Washington DC from their previous office in Alexandria, VA.  The move is a strategic one, placing NRHA closer to Capitol Hill as well as national partners. The Administrative Office will remain in Kansas City, Missiouri.

The new address is:

National Rural Health Association
1108 K Street NW, Second Floor
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 639-0550 (phone)
(202) 639-0559 (fax)

NRHA has published their 2008 Legislative and Regulatory Agenda. The document, outlining health care policy issues, is developed by NRHA each year. This agenda is intended to promote legislative and regulatory issues for action by Congress, federal regulatory agencies, the White House, states, and the health care industry.

The alphabetical listing of issues covers everything from Access Standards to Workforce Shortages. You can review the agenda by clicking here.

Mark your calendar

For more information about these and other events, visit http://www.vrha.org/events.html

January 22: The Facts - Caroline County
January 28-30: NRHA's Rural Health Policy Institute - Washington, DC
February 7: The Fundamentals - Caroline County
March 28-30: Women's Health 2008: The 16th Annual Congress - Williamsburg
April 27-29: 12th Annual Virginia Faith Community Health Ministry Retreat - Toano
May 7-10: NHRA's Annual Conference - New Orleans, LA

Job Announcements

For more information about these and other positions, visit http://www.vrha.org/index/jobs.html

Job Title: NP

The Free Clinic of the New River Valley seeks nurse practitioner 15-20 hrs/wk to conduct patient assessments, perform exams and diagnose and treat patients according to professional standards and practice. Individual will be patient-focused with excellent customer service skills and will work in the new Pearisburg Satellite Clinic near Carilion Giles Memorial Hospital.  Flexible hours and competitive pay. Send cover letter and resume to: Nurse Practitioner Search, Free Clinic of the New River Valley, 215 Roanoke Street, Christiansburg, VA  24073.  www.nrvfreeclinic.org

Job Title: General Dentist

Job Description: Work in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, and accessible to Washington, D.C. amenities. Recent grads may also qualify for student loan repayment. A great opportunity for a new grad or semi-retired dentist who wants to avoid the expense and hassle of running a business and still earn a competitive salary. Dentist will treat children and adults.

Please email your resume to Pam Murphy at scfc@shentel.net or call (540) 459-3790 for more information.

Make sure you check out the healthcare career opportunities on the PPOVA website

Funding Opportunities

Loan Repayment Programs used to
Unite Communities with Caring Health Professionals

Virginia offers two incentive programs to recruit primary care health providers to practice in designated areas. Get some relief from your medical education debt!  The Virginia Department of Health administers the Virginia Physicians Loan Repayment Program (VLRP) and the Virginia State Loan Repayment Program (Va-SLRP), either program can help you pay back your loans while you provide valuable care to a vulnerable population. If you are a primary care health professional and have an interest in working in a medically underserved area, then you may be eligible for a loan repayment program.  Detailed information and an application is available on-line.

For more information, contact:
Aileen Edwards Harris, M.S.A.
Healthcare Workforce Manager
Virginia Department of Health
Office of Minority Health and Public Health Policy
109 Governor Street, Suite 1016-East
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 864-7436 - Direct
(804) 864-7440 - Fax