Rural Health
News by Topic: Access
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.
HHS: Solicitation of Proposals for New and Modified Safe Harbors and Special Fraud Alerts
Federal Register
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
Dec 4, 2025 - Describes emergency medical service (EMS) access challenges for a rural Missouri community after a hospital closed. Discusses ambulance response times and plans to return emergency care to the community.
Source: KOMU
Dec 4, 2025 - Highlights Montana State University's Center for Research on Rural Education after a decade of work. Discusses access to mental health professionals in schools, mental health awareness building among students, and support for recruiting and retaining teachers.
Source: MSU News
Dec 4, 2025 - Highlights the work of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine in supporting rural health across the state. Discusses their work in securing funding for expanding medical training, partnering with the state's Medicaid program to advance maternal health outcomes, and supporting the emergency care workforce through professional development.
Source: Nevada Today
Dec 3, 2025 - Highlights a program offering mental health services to Texas farmers. Discusses how the program was developed, as well as high rates of factors contributing to poor mental health, access to mental healthcare, and stigma among rural and farming communities.
Source: AgriLife Today
Dec 1, 2025 - Highlights the work of rural pharmacists around New Mexico and their paths to rural practice. Discusses initiatives to address primary care physician shortages by increasing a pharmacist's scope of practice, efforts to recruit rural students to the pharmacy field, and networking across the state.
Source: UNM Health Sciences News

