The 2011 General Assembly adjourned Sine Die on Thursday, April 15th. 

GRHA Members can now go to the Advocay section of our website, grhainfo.org//legislation.htm, and read the 2011  Final Legislative Report. 

Just click on 2011 Legislative Tracking on the left and enter your username and password.

HRSA & CMS

What: Conference Call

Join Mary Wakefield, Phd, Health Resources and Services Administration Administrator, Joe McCannon, Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services senior advisor to the administrator and other rural partners Thursday, April, 28, 2011 at 3pm EST for a conference call to discuss how rural hospitals can become involved in Partnership for Patients, a new public-private partnership that brings together hospitals, employers, health plans, physicians, nurses and patient advocates along with state and federal governments in a shared effort to make hospital care safer, more reliable and less costly.

When: Thursday, April, 28, 2011  at 3pm EST

Call- in number: 877-352-5212

Participant passcode: 3141862

Please dial in five minutes before the call begins.

The Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Nursing Scholarship Program (NSP) application cycle is now open.

The NSP awards scholarships to students enrolled or accepted for enrollment in accredited RN training programs. Scholarship recipients receive tuition, fees, other educational costs and a living stipend in exchange for at least 2 years of post graduation service at a health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses.

U.S. citizens (born or naturalized), nationals or lawful permanent residents enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a professional RN program (baccalaureate, graduate, associate degree, or diploma) at an accredited school of nursing located in a U.S. state or territory may apply.

Visit www.hrsa.gov/loanscholarhips/scholarships/Nursing to learn more about the program and begin the application process.

Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. EDT June 1, 2011

Nursing Scholarship Program and Application Webcasts will be available May 4, 2011 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Est. These one-hour webcasts will address : Scholorship Purpose; Benefits; Eligibility; Service Obligation; Program Requirements; How to Apply and much more. The NSP Team is coordinating this webcast. If you have any questions, please call 1-800-221-9393.

Georgia Rural Health Clinic Conference

May 24, 2011

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

South Georgia  Technical College

There is still time to get your seat at the first Rural Health Clinic Conference. This conference is designed especially for Rural Health Clinics and we believe everyone attending will benefit.

Please visit our website for the agenda and registration information.

Medicare EHR Incentive Program Attestation began April 18, 2011 

 Follow these steps to participate in the program.

1. View eligibility guidelines on the Eligibility Page and select the program in which you want to participate.

2. Get Registered. Registration is open for EP's, eligible hospitals, and CAH's. Visit the Registration Page for more details.

3.Use certified EHR technology to receive payments make sure the EHR technology you're using or are considering buying has been certified by the office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Visit Certified EHR Technology Page for details.

4. Be a Meaningful User. You have to successfully demonstrate "meaningful use" for a consecutive 90-day period in your first year of participation (and for a full year in each subsequent years) to receive EHR incentive payments. Visit Meaningful Use Page to learn about meaningful use objectives and measures.

5. Attest for incentive payments. To get your EHR incentive payment, you must attest through Medicare's secure website that you've demonstrated meaningful use with certified EHR technology.

For more information about the EHR Incentive Program visit the EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates.

Mark your Calendar 

Presents "The Emergency Procedure Course"

June 12, 2011

Contact: Tara Morrison, GCEP Executive Director

770-613-0932 or email: