Rural Health
News by Topic: Access
May 21, 2026 - Rachel Jones, director and co-founder of suicide prevention organization Andrew's Hope, works to reduce stigma by promoting mental health literacy, encouraging early intervention, and helping to build a more supportive community. She emphasizes the importance of peer-to-peer support, especially in rural areas.
Source: KTVO
May 21, 2026 - Mercy Hospital Lebanon is piloting a program to help rural Ozarks substance use disorder patients get support during the crucial 72-hour period after opioid withdrawal. The program is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration and is now available at other Missouri communities including Aurora, Cassville, Carthage, and Mountain Home.
Source: Springfield News-Leader via AOL
May 20, 2026 - The Helmsley Charitable Trust is funding a pilot program through the Civica Foundation that will give participating hospitals access to a consistent supply of drugs at wholesale prices, without having to buy in bulk. Dozens of independent hospitals in rural areas of Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming are eligible.
Source: Wyoming Public Media
May 19, 2026 - Congresswoman Kim Schrier of Washington, along with representatives Randy Feenstra of Iowa, Jill Tokuda of Hawaii, and Darin LaHood of Illinois have reintroduced the Rural Maternity Options for Medical Support Act. This legislation would allow Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to count labor and delivery beds separate from acute care rooms, allowing hospitals to offer these services without putting their CAH status in jeopardy.
Source: Office of Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA)
May 19, 2026 - The Dartmouth Rural Health Symposium convened on May 13, with several hundred researchers, clinicians, policymakers, educators, and community members. Discussion covered systemic and structural barriers that contribute to rural health disparities, and the impact various factors can have on the health and wellness of people in rural communities. Presenters noted that improving rural health outcomes requires strategic collaboration and medical innovation.
Source: Dartmouth College
May 18, 2026 - The University of Arizona's Center for Rural Health is helping organizations in rural and tribal areas apply for funds provided through the Arizona Rural Health Transformation Program. The Center has published a toolkit and can provide letters of support to organizations writing grant applications.
Source: Tucson Spotlight
May 15, 2026 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded Vibrant Emotional Health $255 million to administer a suicide and crisis hotline. The 988 Lifeline allows people to reach crisis counselors 24/7 for help with a mental health, suicide, or substance use crisis.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
May 13, 2026 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is
encouraging HRSA-funded health centers to expand efforts to
promote proper nutrition as part of the Administration's
Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative. Expanding
access to food-based interventions can help improve health
outcomes for patients with chronic diseases and other
conditions.
Source: Health Resources & Services Administration
May 13, 2026 - A new survey by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) highlights the challenges rural cancer patients face in accessing screening, finding affordable care, and arranging followup treatment. Patient navigation services help address barriers to care in rural areas and improve quality of care.
Source: American Cancer Society
May 12, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Heartland Forward, a nonprofit organization focused on driving economic growth and stronger communities, particularly in rural and underserved areas. HHS and Heartland Forward will collaborate on initiatives to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality and strengthen care before, during, and after pregnancy.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services