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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Access

Dec 19, 2025 - Highlights a visit from Tennessee state officials to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Discusses recent and upcoming rural-focused projects at the Center in addition to facility updates. The projects will expand access to healthcare and advance cancer research.
Source: UTHSC News
Dec 18, 2025 - Highlights the Mendo Food Network's Pop-Up Distribution program to bring emergency food and essential commodities to rural Mendocino County, California. Notes that fixed location food banks in the area require multiple hours-long trips for rural residents.
Source: The Mendocino Beacon
Dec 17, 2025 - Summarizes recent research finding gaps in access to sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) for rural residents due to training barriers for rural nurses. Offers interview with study author discussing those barriers, telementoring as a solution, and future research needs.
Source: Maverick News
Dec 13, 2025 - Highlights a rural community event from a South Carolina health care organization offering winter clothing, free flu shots, and health resources to local residents. Notes that access to weather appropriate clothing and preventive care can be more limited in rural areas.
Source: WLTX
Dec 11, 2025 - Notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating and revising the Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model (IOTA Model) for Performance Year (PY) 2, which will begin on July 1, 2026. The IOTA Model tests whether performance-based upside risk payments or downside risk payments paid to or owed by participating kidney transplant hospitals increase access to kidney transplants for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) while preserving or enhancing the quality of care and reducing Medicare expenditures. Comments are due by February 9, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 10, 2025 - Announces the expansion of a rural pediatric health networking and collaboration initiative in Georgia aiming to support access to pediatric healthcare. The program includes both a physician training and consultation component as well as specialty telehealth component to allow rural children to receive healthcare in their communities. Discusses scholarship opportunities to increase the pediatric health workforce and plans to continue expanding this program.
Source: The Den
Dec 10, 2025 - Describes the impact of new Arkansas legislation which will see 75 community health workers (CHWs) trained. Notes that CHW have had an impact in rural communities with less access to healthcare. Discusses recent CHW training initiatives across the state.
Dec 9, 2025 - The Office of Inspector General (OIG) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requests proposals and recommendations for developing new or modifying existing safe harbor provisions of the Federal anti-kickback statute or Special Fraud Alerts. Criteria for modifying and establishing safe harbor provisions or Special Fraud Alerts include the extent to which the proposal impacts access to healthcare, the ability of healthcare facilities to serve medically underserved patients, and more. Comments are due February 9, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 8, 2025 - Discusses new research finding disparities in Alzheimer's-related outcomes for rural Marylanders due to more limited access to care compared to urban residents.
Source: Medical Xpress
Dec 5, 2025 - Some mobile clinics in Michigan have been upgraded to include satellite internet service. Describes how reliable internet facilitates access to healthcare for rural communities.
Source: CMU News