Rural Health
News by Topic: Access
Oct 29, 2026 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announcing that it will hold an open meeting on October 29, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern. Agenda items include a discussion of notices of proposed rulemaking that would seek comment on proposals for implementing the Rural Broadband Protection Act (RBPA) and would modernize the FCC's accessibility rules to keep pace with the rapidly changing communications landscape, promote innovation, better match consumer expectations, and remove barriers to accessibility. The meeting can be viewed on the FCC website.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 29, 2026 - Describes food access challenges in rural Utah and highlights a rural food bank working to address area needs, particularly for residents who are homebound or without transportation.
Source: Fox 13
Oct 28, 2026 - Describes the higher risk of stroke among farmers and the challenges they experience in accessing emergency medical care. Highlights an American Heart Association program that helps hospitals identify opportunities to improve care for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Source: Farm Press
Oct 28, 2026 - Describes the Rural Grocery Initiative, an opportunity for legislators, funders, economic developers, and other stakeholders to visit with Kansas grocery stores to learn about their funding models, community programs, and challenges operating in rural communities.
Source: Rural Grocery Initiative, Kansas State University
Oct 28, 2026 - Highlights efforts to expand access to obstetric and gynecological care for rural Kentucky women, particularly for ovarian cancer screening and care as well as prenatal care and complications. Discusses the importance of partnerships between local providers and specialists.
Source: UK Now
Oct 27, 2026 - Announces a new 3-year partnership between the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Indian Health Service (IHS) to improve identification and management of sepsis in IHS emergency care facilities. Notes that many IHS facilities are in rural areas where specialty care is often limited, making early identification important. The partnership will include culturally relevant toolkits and resources as well as evaluation of their effectiveness.
Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Oct 26, 2026 - Highlights a Missouri program that helps healthcare employers provide childcare support for their employees in an effort to attract and retain workforce. The program is being expanded with Rural Health Transformation Program money. Discusses the challenges with finding child care in rural communities.
Source: The Beacon: Kansas City
Oct 23, 2026 - Describes a newly funded project aiming to increase the participation of rural communities in clinical research and strengthen research partnerships with rural areas across the Southwest. Planned clinical research studies will investigate using telehealth to manage chronic disease and the impact of community doulas on maternal health outcomes.
Source: UNM Health Sciences News
Oct 22, 2026 - Discusses new proposed New Jersey legislation that would establish micro-hospitals to support hospital access in rural communities. The legislation would allow hospitals to offer fewer services that are underutilized. Notes other states that have opened micro-hospitals.
Source: New Jersey Monitor
Oct 21, 2026 - Discusses a new Minnesota-based fellowship to train family medicine physicians in obstetrics to address limited access to obstetric care in rural communities.
Source: MPR News